Is Mine 9 Based on a True Story? Facts to know about the Movie
by Swetha P | Updated Apr 17, 2023
Mine 9 Overview
Mine 9 is a movie released in the year 2019. The plot revolves around the miners struggling to survive with only an hour's worth of oxygen and faulty self-contained self-rescuers. The movie also touches on the culture of production over safety in the mining industry and the fear of employees reporting unsafe workplaces.
Mine 9 stars Kevin Sizemore, a native of Princeton, West Virginia, and is directed and written by Eddie Mensore, a native of New Martinsville, West Virginia. Check out the plot summary to know more about Mine 9 Plot Summary in the following section.
Is Mine 9 Based on a True Story?
Mine 9 is inspired on a True Story, While not based on a specific coal mine disaster, "Mine 9" draws inspiration from real-life events and aims to realistically portray the experiences of miners and their families. The film weaves together various mine accidents and premiered at the CMC in Princeton, where many of the miners portrayed in the movie were in attendance and gave their approval.
The independent film, produced and directed by West Virginia native Eddie Mensore, has received positive reviews from a number of reputable publications, including Variety, the Los Angeles Times, and RogerEbert.com. The story follows a group of nine Appalachian coal miners who become trapped two miles underground after a methane explosion, with only an hour's worth of oxygen left.
Is Mine 9 Based on a Real Story?
Is Mine 9 a Real story, Yes, Mine 9 is based on a true event. “Mine 9” is a survival drama that depicts a fictional coal mine explosion in Appalachia, inspired by the 2010 Upper Big Branch mining disaster that claimed 29 lives. Although the characters and events are fictionalized, the film draws from the experiences of those affected by the real-life tragedy.
Eddie Mensore’s script keeps characterization and dramatic elements to a minimum, conveying the plausibility of the story. The film eschews the standard dramatics of disaster movies, portraying the male ensemble as both heroes and victims. However, the movie lacks human nuance and environmental detail, and its cursory portrayal of the real lives and families affected by the incident leaves something to be desired.
The lean 83-minute runtime, including a ten-minute credit sequence, underscores the straightforward and unremarkable nature of the disaster, highlighting the danger and troubles inherent in the mining industry.
Mine 9 Plot Summary
The movie is inspired by several events that have occurred over time in the coal mining industry in Appalachia, rather than any one specific incident. The writer and director, Eddie Mensore, compiled stories from his life and friends to create the script. The plot includes elements from recent high-profile mine disasters who become trapped underground in an Appalachian coal mine with only an hour's worth of oxygen.
Although the movie is not based on a specific event, it draws on several incidents that have occurred over time. The director and writer, Eddie Mensore, compiled stories from his life and friends to create the script, which includes familiar elements from recent high-profile mine disasters in West Virginia, such as the Upper Big Branch, Aracoma, and Sago accidents.
The plot also highlights the culture of production over safety in the mining industry and the fear of employees reporting unsafe workplaces. The movie is expected to hit close to home for many people in the coalfields, including actor Kevin Sizemore, who has family and friends who worked in the mines. Mensore was adamant about showing the film in coal country first before releasing it nationwide so that those who are familiar with the industry and its dangers could see it first. The movie aims to shed light on the risks and hardships that miners face and the need for greater safety measures in the industry.
Mine 9 Review
“Mine 9” is a low-budget survival drama set in a fictional coal mine explosion in Appalachia. The film portrays the male ensemble as both heroes and victims in a solemn, simple narrative that avoids the standard gung-ho dramatics of a disaster movie. While not a documentary, the movie is dedicated to the struggling coal-mining community in the closing credits and aims to highlight the typical plight of an American underclass that rarely gets big-screen attention.
The script keeps characterization and dramatic complication to a minimum, emphasizing how easily the events on screen could be true. However, the movie could benefit from more human nuance and environmental detail, as its portrayal of the real lives and families imperiled by irresponsible authorities is cursory at best. “Mine 9” will likely resonate with audiences in the U.S. coal belt, but it may be a niche item for streaming outside that region.
The director Eddie Mensore creates a sense of tension and confinement from the outset of "Mine 9" as the film opens with a nerve-wracking false alarm in the mine caused by high methane levels. The cinematography by Matthew Boyd reinforces the sense of panic and confusion experienced by the miners, who are forced to work in cramped and poorly-lit conditions.
The men are faced with a dilemma when debating whether to report the incident to safety monitors, with Zeke, the team leader, advocating for safety and others fearing the repercussions of a shutdown on their livelihoods. This working-class dilemma is presented through slightly on-the-nose dialogue. It's no surprise that the miners' gamble backfires, and the film follows the men as they struggle to survive underground.
The socioeconomic factors that have led Ryan, Zeke's nephew, to follow in his uncle's footsteps are briefly touched upon, but there's little exploration of these characters beyond their laborious work in the mine.
Is Mine 9 based on a True Story- FAQs
The movie is not based on a specific true event, but it draws inspiration from coal mine disasters and the experiences of miners and their families.
"Mine 9" was directed and produced by Eddie Mensore, a West Virginia native.
The movie follows a group of nine Appalachian coal miners who become trapped two miles underground after a methane explosion, with only an hour's supply of oxygen.
While the characters and events in the movie are fictionalized, the story draws inspiration from real-life tragedies and the experiences of those involved in coal mining.