Watch An Injury to One

An Injury to One is a documentary film that explores the history and legacy of the International Workers of the World (IWW) in the early 20th century. The film is directed by Travis Wilkerson and was released in 2002. The movie takes its title from a slogan used by the IWW, which states that an injury to one worker is an injury to all workers. From this slogan, the film examines the story of Frank Little, a union organizer who was brutally murdered in Butte, Montana in 1917. Little's death, which was most likely perpetrated by members of the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, led to a wave of violence and repression against the IWW and its members.

The film is structured around the history of the IWW, its radical politics, and its struggles for social and economic justice. It features archival footage, interviews with historians and scholars, and music from the period. Throughout the film, Wilkerson employs a range of cinematic techniques, including montage, collage, and visual metaphor to create a powerful and evocative portrait of the IWW and its struggles.

One of the themes that An Injury to One explores is the relationship between capitalism and violence. The film shows how the Anaconda Copper Mining Company used violence and intimidation to suppress union organizing and maintain their profits. The film also highlights the violence that workers faced on a daily basis, from unsafe working conditions to police brutality.

Another theme that the film explores is the idea of collective action and solidarity. The IWW was notable for its commitment to building a broad-based movement that could unite workers across differences of race, gender, and nationality. The film shows how this vision was realized in the struggles of the IWW, as workers from different backgrounds came together to fight for their rights and dignity.

An Injury to One also touches on issues of memory and commemoration. The film shows how the memory of Frank Little and the IWW has been erased or distorted over time, as mainstream narratives about American history have focused on individual achievement and patriotism over collective struggle and solidarity. The film uses the story of Little's murder and the ongoing struggle for workers' rights to argue for a different kind of history, one that is rooted in collective action and the struggle for justice.

In addition to its historical and political themes, An Injury to One is also a visually striking film. The movie uses a mix of archival footage, contemporary photography, and visual effects to create a dream-like atmosphere that is both haunting and evocative. The film's use of sound is also notable, with a haunting soundtrack that combines traditional folk music with contemporary experimental sounds.

Overall, An Injury to One is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that explores the history and legacy of the IWW. The film is a compelling argument for the importance of collective action and solidarity, even in the face of violence and repression. It's a film that is as relevant today as it was when it was first released, as workers around the world continue to fight for their rights and dignity.

An Injury to One is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 52 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7 and a MetaScore of 71.