The Story Behind the Rights Workers Take for Granted

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MOVIE REVIEW
The Wobblies
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 1979 (New York Film Festival,) 2022 (4k restoration)
Runtime: 1h 29m
Director(s): Stewart Bird, Deborah Shaffer
Where To Watch: Coming to All Major VOD Platforms May 31

“The Wobblies premiered at the 1979 New York Film Festival and tells the story of the radical labor union, the Industrial Workers of the World or IWW, better known as the Wobblies, which championed the formation of “one big union” for all unskilled laborers, regardless of their race and gender.”

A unique and lovingly restored look at one of our civilized society's most significant labor movements. Labor movements in the U.S. are nothing new, but this shows the movement from within through a unique take via all forms of media, including “oral histories, archival media, and animation.” Through this, the story of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) unfolds before our eyes. If you enjoy eight-hour workdays (along with other given rights), you can thank the actions shown in this film.

The irony of it all is that it feels as modern as when a lot of this footage was initially shot. We’re facing changing times filled with unfair wages, and American workers are beginning to try and take control of the situation. The ground was recently broken with a Starbucks in Buffalo, NY, voting to unionize (the first in their chain of 8,953 stores in the US.) What is accepted as the norm today had to be fought for; each inch forward was a victory in its own right.

The effort and legwork put into this film are awe-inspiring; it wasn’t as simple as just gathering those who were involved but finding out who they were, where they were, and how many were still around to be able to interview. The film showcases the battle between traditional trade unions and the Communist Party of the time, which also was passionate about worker's rights. This created a division that would ultimately be partially responsible for the fall of the IWW. Thankfully many have remained passionate about worker's rights, and generations later, we have many who continue to fight into the night to secure the most basic rights.

One of the most exciting aspects of the film is how powerful it felt; there were no punches pulled (especially for its premiere in 1979.) Rightfully so, the film has earned its place in the National Film Registry and will be around for all to enjoy and learn from, thanks to Kino Lorber's tireless efforts in restoring and preserving films that hold an important place in history.

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