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Norma Rae Details

1979 Certificate PG
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 257 members

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 Certificate PG
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Released DVD: 01 Mar 2004
Production year: 1979
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (3) of Norma Rae

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  • 4 stars out of 5

    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.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • Ritt's usual simplistic liberalism certainly dampens the labour relations angle to this tale of a Southern millworker... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
    • Posted 04 Nov 2008

  • Most helpful member's review of Norma Rae

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  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    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 of Norma Rae

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  • Rated - 4 stars

    Sally Field great, as ever

    and a strong story for her to do.

    One to see.

      • A customer from In the Sticks, England
      • Posted 10 Apr 2009 08:10

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Rating breakdown

257 Member ratings
  • 100
15
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19
  • 80
52
  • 70
52
  • 60
54
  • 50
25
  • 40
14
  • 30
10
  • 20
11
  • 10
5

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      • 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 ...