Brookside mines employ most of the non-unionized population of Harlan County under poor conditions and for little pay. After the death of two workers a union rep arrives and organizes a strike that lasts almost a year and degenerates into extreme violence. From the chaos a woman emerges, miner's wife Ruby Kincaid, who is determined to bring the abusive corporation and its immoral practises to its knees. Based on true events, Harlan County War is a powerful and affecting drama, with an intense central performance from Holly Hunter.