Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars 2007
Distributed by The Video Project, PO Box 411376, San Francisco, CA 94141-1376; 800-475-2638
Produced by Cara Carney
Directed by Mat Hames and George Sledge
DVD, color, 34 min.
Sr. High - Adult
American Studies, Environmental Studies
Date Entered: 09/03/2009
Reviewed by Charles Burkart, Media Bibliographer, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WVFighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars chronicles the grassroots and political opposition to the construction of new coal plants in Texas. An unlikely coalition of big city mayors, ranchers, community activists, lawyers, and environmentalists was formed to stop the construction of nineteen conventional coal plants in Eastern and Central Texas. This coalition (Texas Cities for Clean Air Coalition) opposed the fast-tracking of coal plant construction for TXU Corporation by Texas Governor, Rick Perry. TXU was subsequently sold to TPG Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, who reduced the number plants to be built to three and also made them contingent upon approval by green groups.
Interviews, videotaped public meetings, and creative cinematography are the organizational building blocks of Fighting Goliath. Professionally produced to a very high quality, Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars is superbly edited with seamless transitions. Moreover, I found the opening credits to be among the most creative that I’ve ever seen in a documentary. The color is vivid and the sound is always clear. My only complaints were the absence of both chapter access and menus on my examination copy. Finally, the documentary’s thirty four minute length is just right for the material presented.
Of particular interest to Texas libraries, Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars, could be used by community activists in other states, as well as in general college and university collections. It is an interesting and well produced documentary. I highly recommend it.