The Buffalo Creek Flood: An Act of Man

Watch The Buffalo Creek Flood: An Act of Man

  • 1975
  • 40 min
  • 5.7  (68)

The Buffalo Creek Flood: An Act of Man is a documentary film released in 1975. The documentary deals with the catastrophic failure of a dam in West Virginia that killed 125 people and destroyed hundreds of homes in Buffalo Creek Valley. The disaster happened on February 26, 1972, when a coal mining waste dam owned by the Buffalo Mining Company, a subsidiary of Pittston Coal Company, collapsed, sending millions of gallons of water, sludge, and debris downstream.

The documentary is an account of the events that led to the disaster, the aftermath, and the legal battle that followed. The film features interviews with survivors, eyewitnesses, and experts, and uses footage from newsreels, home videos, and depositions. The documentary was directed by Mimi Pickering and produced by Appalshop, a non-profit media organization that focuses on Appalachian culture and social issues.

The film starts by exploring the history of the Buffalo Mining Company and the environmental and social impact of its mining operations in the region. The documentary shows how the company's pursuit of profit led to disregard for the safety of its workers and the surrounding communities. The film highlights the tension between the coal company and the locals who resisted the environmental degradation and health hazards caused by mining.

The documentary then shifts its focus to the events leading up to the flood. The film explains how the dam was built to contain the waste from the coal washing process but was poorly constructed and maintained. The film details the warnings that were ignored, including a report from the US Department of Agriculture’s Soil Conservation Service that warned of the possibility of a dam failure. The documentary highlights how government agencies responsible for regulating the mining industry and protecting public safety failed to act on those warnings.

On that fateful day, the dam gave way, sending a 30-foot wall of water and debris crashing through the valley, killing 125 people and injuring more than 1,000. The documentary shows how the survivors coped with the trauma and loss of their homes and loved ones. The film explores the aid efforts and the cooperation between government agencies and non-governmental organizations in providing relief to the victims.

The documentary then delves into the legal battle that followed the disaster. The film details the efforts of the victims and their families to seek justice and compensation. The documentary shows how the corporation and its lawyers tried to deflect blame and responsibility, arguing that the disaster was an "act of God." The film highlights the role of lawyers, public interest groups, and the media in exposing the negligence, malpractice, and corruption of the coal company and the government agencies.

The documentary ends with a reflection on the legacy of the Buffalo Creek disaster. The film argues that the tragedy was much more than an isolated incident but a symptom of a larger problem of corporate greed, political corruption, and social injustice. The documentary suggests that the root causes of the disaster were deeply entrenched in the history and culture of the Appalachian region and that a fundamental change was necessary to prevent similar disasters from happening in the future.

Overall, The Buffalo Creek Flood: An Act of Man is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on the human, social, and environmental toll of corporate malfeasance and government negligence. The film is a tribute to the courage and resilience of the survivors and their families and a reminder of the need for constant vigilance in protecting public safety and human rights. The documentary remains relevant today, as the issues it addresses are still prevalent in our society.

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Description
  • Release Date
    1975
  • Runtime
    40 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    5.7  (68)
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