Watch Tar Creek

Tar Creek is a gripping documentary that takes a close look at one of the worst man-made environmental disasters in America. The film follows three residents of Picher, Oklahoma, a small town located in the heart of the Tar Creek Superfund site. Ear Hatley, a local miner, John Frazier, a former resident, and Matt Myers, a Cherokee environmentalist, each tell their own story of how the town was nearly destroyed by decades of lead and zinc mining and smelting that contaminated the soil, water, and air.

The film begins by introducing the town of Picher, once a thriving mining community in the late 1800s and early 1900s. At its peak, the town was home to over 20,000 people and produced over $20 billion worth of lead and zinc. However, this economic prosperity came at a great cost to the environment and human health. The mining companies left behind hundreds of millions of tons of waste known as chat, which contained dangerous levels of lead, zinc, and cadmium. This waste was used to pave the town's roads and playgrounds, and children played on it every day. The film shows how the toxic dust from the chat caused a range of health problems, including learning disabilities, cancer, and kidney disease.

As the documentary unfolds, viewers learn how the residents of Picher were ignored and neglected by state and federal officials for decades. The film features stunning footage of the abandoned and derelict buildings that make up the town today, and the eerie silence and emptiness is a chilling reminder of what once was. The film illustrates the impact of the mining and smelting operations on the environment, the people, and the economy, as well as the resilience of the people who lived through it.

Tar Creek is not just a story of corporate greed and government negligence, but also a story of hope and activism. Ear Hatley, John Frazier, and Matt Myers are all activists who have dedicated their lives to cleaning up the environmental mess that their town was left in. They work tirelessly to inform the public about the effects of lead contamination and the importance of environmental responsibility. They organize community events, workshops, and rallies in order to raise awareness and fight for justice.

The film concludes with a look at the present and future of the Tar Creek Superfund site, and the efforts to restore the environment and the people of Picher. Although the town is now a ghost town, it is a reminder of the price of progress and the importance of environmental responsibility. The documentary is a call to action to take responsibility for our actions and to protect our environment for future generations.

Overall, Tar Creek is a powerful documentary that is both informative and heartbreaking. It is a haunting reminder of the consequences of environmental neglect and corporate greed. The film is a must-watch for anyone who cares about the environment and the health of our communities. It is a story of resilience in the face of adversity, and the power of individuals to make a difference.

Tar Creek is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 13 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.