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Norma Rae
1979
Set in the industrial South and based on a true story, Martin Ritt's NORMA RAE is a moving portrait of a woman's fight to improve both her own life and the deplorable conditions that exist in the mill where she works. Norma Rae (Sally Field) has worked at the textile mill for years, but when a union organiser from New York .. Read more
| Starring | Sally Field, Beau Bridges, Pat Hingle, Ron Leibman |
|---|---|
| Director | Martin Ritt |
| Genres | Drama |
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Norma Rae
Set in the industrial South and based on a true story, Martin Ritt's NORMA RAE is a moving portrait of a woman's fight to improve both her own life and the deplorable conditions that exist in the mill where she works. Norma Rae (Sally Field) has worked at the textile mill for years, but when a union organiser from New York comes to town, Norma takes on the hostility of the mill's management and the apathy of her co-workers to try to unionise the mill. Field plays Norma Rae as a passionate woman who realises her own potential and her need to rebel against the status quo. She is also infuriated by the conditions at the mill. When Norma, uneducated and poor, finally expresses her disgust with life at the mill, it is an electrifying moment, and Field radiates this energy for the rest of the film, providing an emotional core and drive that gives the picture its power.
| Starring | Sally Field, Beau Bridges, Pat Hingle, Ron Leibman |
|---|---|
| Director | Martin Ritt |
| Studio | 20TH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 50 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | English |
| Released | DVD: 01 Mar 2004 Production year: 1979 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Director Martin Ritt's last important film is typical of his best work. Based on the true story of a reluctant real-life heroine, this sincere drama with a social conscience makes its union cause authentic, heartfelt and grittily entertaining. Determinedly shedding her image as a perennially cute, bubbly comedian, Sally Field deservedly won her first Oscar for her committed performance as the widowed Southern textile worker who nervously allies herself with New York labour organiser Ron Leibman to fight appalling conditions and, with growing gumption, takes on the mill owners. There are fine performances all around, including Beau Bridges as her boorish man, but it's Field's triumph.
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Ritt's usual simplistic liberalism certainly dampens the labour relations angle to this tale of a Southern millworker... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Powerful
One of the most powerful and moving films I have seen in a long time. A whole community coming together to improve their working conditions. How many films today can have a five minute scene where nothing is said and have a woman holding up a word she has great belief in, well none.
An ab fab film. -
Most recent members' review
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[Highly rated reviewer]
Intersting history
Enjoyed this 'rights' movie. My dad worked in the woollen mills of Yorkshire in the 50's and the setting is authentic. (My mum and dad could communicate in sign language!)
Good worthy film, well directed and acted and the dialogue was often funny. Just one quibble - the sound very uneven - new tenant in the flat below us keeps complaining about the noise so I had to keep hitting the sound controls on the remote! -
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