Hard Hat Riot (2025)

The clash over Vietnam that swung blue collar voters to the right.

Hard Hat Riot (2025) poster

On May 8, 1970, construction workers violently clashed with students demonstrating against the Vietnam War in lower Manhattan. The workmen, who came to be known as “hardhats,” were at the cutting edge of a new kind of class war. With the war in Vietnam raging on, it was the sons of the working class who were doing most of the fighting. Workmen saw the protesting students as privileged “draft dodgers” disparaging the country and those who fought for it. On the other side, many student activists saw the workers as pawns, unwilling to see the changes that America needed. Hard Hat Riot tells the story of a struggling metropolis, a flailing president, a divided people, and a bloody juncture when the nation violently diverged ― culminating in a new political and cultural landscape that radically redefined American politics and foreshadowed the future.

Director: Marc Levin
Genre: Documentary, History
Runtime: 81 min
Release Date:

Cast

Screenplay

Editing: Henry Moskowitz
Production: American Experience Films
Country: United States of America
Language: English
Original Language: en

Keywords

vietnam war, richard nixon, conservatism

Trailer

Hard Hat Riot Trailer

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hard Hat Riot about?
On May 8, 1970, construction workers violently clashed with students demonstrating against the Vietnam War in lower Manhattan. The workmen, who came to be known as “hardhats,” were at the cutting edge of a new kind of class war. With the war in Vietnam raging on, it was the sons of the working class who were doing most of the fighting. Workmen saw the protesting students as privileged “draft dodgers” disparaging the country and those who fought for it. On the other side, many student activists saw the workers as pawns, unwilling to see the changes that America needed. Hard Hat Riot tells the story of a struggling metropolis, a flailing president, a divided people, and a bloody juncture when the nation violently diverged ― culminating in a new political and cultural landscape that radically redefined American politics and foreshadowed the future.
Who directed Hard Hat Riot?
Hard Hat Riot was directed by Marc Levin.
Who stars in Hard Hat Riot?
Hard Hat Riot stars Richard Nixon, John V. Lindsay, David Kuhn.
How long is Hard Hat Riot?
Hard Hat Riot has a runtime of 1h 21m (81 minutes).
What genre is Hard Hat Riot?
Hard Hat Riot is a Documentary, History film.
Where was Hard Hat Riot produced?
Hard Hat Riot was produced in United States of America.