Blue Collar
“"Blue Collar" is the American Dream. If you're rich, you can buy it. If you're anything else, you gotta fight for it.”
Synopsis
Fed up with mistreatment at the hands of both management and union brass, and coupled with financial hardships on each man's end, three auto assembly line workers hatch a plan to rob a safe at union headquarters.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Blue Collar (1978) Original Trailer [FHD]
Type: Trailer • Published 2024-04-26
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →
Richard Pryor
Ezekiel 'Zeke' Brown
Harvey Keitel
Jerry Bartowski
Yaphet Kotto
Sam 'Smokey' James
Ed Begley Jr.
Bobby Joe
Harry Bellaver
Eddie Johnson
George Memmoli
Jenkins
Lucy Saroyan
Arlene Bartowski
Lane Smith
Clarence Hill
Cliff DeYoung
John Burrows
Borah Silver
Dogshit Miller
Chip Fields
Caroline Brown
Harry Northup
Hank
Leonard Gaines
I.R.S. Man
Milton Selzer
Sumabitch
Sammy Warren
Barney
Jimmy Martinez
Charlie T. Hernandez
Jerry Dahlmann
Superintendent
Denny Arnold
Unshaven Thug
Release History & Theatrical Window
Pesaro Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
February 10, 1978
Wide Cinema Exhibition
February 8, 2000
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$1.7M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$6.5M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
3.84x
+$4.8M net gain
Theatrical Status
Mega Hit
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Paul Schrader
- Screenplay & Story
- Paul Schrader, Leonard Schrader
- Original Score
- Jack Nitzsche
- Original Title
- Blue Collar
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 54m
- Production Budget
- $1.7M
- Worldwide Gross
- $6.5M
- Production Studios
- TAT Communications Company, Universal Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Paul Schrader
Paul Schrader, Leonard Schrader, Sydney A. Glass
Jack Nitzsche
Bobby Byrne
Tom Rolf
Robin French, Don Guest
Department Leadership Roster
Paul Schrader
Director
Glenn R. Wilder
Stunt Coordinator
Tom Rolf
Editor
Lawrence G. Paull
Production Design
Bobby Byrne
Director of Photography
Paul Schrader
Screenplay
Don Guest
Producer
Leonard Schrader
Screenplay
Jack Nitzsche
Original Music Composer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Blue Collar.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Blue Collar.
My Movies
Master List In Progress
Watchlist
ALLL MOVIESSS
list0
Periodic import List
Watch list 2026
Similar Titles to Blue Collar
Movies sharing stylistic DNA, tone, and thematic storytelling
7.7
7.7
7.6
6.7
6.1
6.9
5.9
6.7
7.4
6.6
7.5
6.2
6.2
5.8
6.7
6.2
5.3
7.8
5.8
More Like Blue Collar
Recommended titles matching themes, cast, and genres.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blue Collar
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Blue Collar about?
Fed up with mistreatment at the hands of both management and union brass, and coupled with financial hardships on each man's end, three auto assembly line workers hatch a plan to rob a safe at union headquarters.
Who directed Blue Collar?
Blue Collar was directed by Paul Schrader.
Who stars in Blue Collar?
The principal cast of Blue Collar includes Richard Pryor, Harvey Keitel, Yaphet Kotto, Ed Begley Jr., Harry Bellaver.
When was Blue Collar released and how long is it?
Blue Collar was released in 1978 with a total runtime of 1h 54m.
What was the box office and production budget of Blue Collar?
Blue Collar had a reported production budget of $1.7M and grossed $6.5M at the worldwide box office (3.84 return on budget, classified as a blockbuster success).
Who composed the musical score for Blue Collar?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Blue Collar was composed by Jack Nitzsche.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Blue Collar?
Blue Collar holds official age classifications: DE: 16 (FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.); FR: TP; US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).