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Norma Rae (1979)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
4 June 1979 (Denmark)
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Tagline:
The story of a woman with the courage to risk everything for what she believes is right. more
Plot:
A young single mother and textile worker agrees to help unionize her mill despite the problems and dangers involved. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won 2 Oscars.
Another 9 wins
&
6 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(11 articles)
Glee recap (1.09): "Wheels"
(From AfterElton.com. 12 November 2009, 7:20 AM, PST)
ReThinking Norma Rae: A Union Icon Falls Fighting the Healthcare Industry
(From Huffington Post. 16 September 2009, 11:08 AM, PDT)
(From AfterElton.com. 12 November 2009, 7:20 AM, PST)
ReThinking Norma Rae: A Union Icon Falls Fighting the Healthcare Industry
(From Huffington Post. 16 September 2009, 11:08 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
An American classic
more (29 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Sally Field | ... | Norma Rae | |
| Beau Bridges | ... | Sonny | |
| Ron Leibman | ... | Reuben | |
| Pat Hingle | ... | Vernon | |
| Barbara Baxley | ... | Leona | |
| Gail Strickland | ... | Bonnie Mae | |
| Morgan Paull | ... | Wayne Billings | |
| Robert Broyles | ... | Sam Bolen | |
| John Calvin | ... | Ellis Harper | |
| Booth Colman | ... | Dr. Watson | |
| Lee de Broux | ... | Lujan (as Lee DeBroux) | |
| James Luisi | ... | George Benson | |
| Vernon Weddle | ... | Reverend Hubbard | |
| Gilbert Green | ... | Al Landon | |
| Bob Minor | ... | Lucius White |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
110 min | Canada:96 min (Ontario) | USA:123 min (TCM print)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Norway:12 |
Iceland:L |
Canada:PG (Ontario) |
Singapore:PG |
Argentina:X (original rating) |
Argentina:13 (re-rating) |
Australia:PG |
Chile:14 |
Finland:K-16 |
USA:PG |
Netherlands:16
Filming Locations:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The movie is based on a true life union organizing campaign at J.P. Stevens Mill. The real life Norma Rae is named Crystal Lee Sutton. It took 10 years to get a union contract at J.P. Stevens after the workers won the election.
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Goofs:
Continuity: In the scene in Reuben's hotel room after Norma Rae has been hit, you see her take the ice pack away from her nose. The shot changes and she takes it away a second time.
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Quotes:
Reuben Warshowsky:
On October 4, 1970, my grandfather, Isaac Abraham Warshowsky, aged eighty-seven, died in his sleep in New York City. On the following Friday morning, his funeral was held. My mother and father attended, my two uncles from Brooklyn attended, my Aunt Minnie came up from Florida...
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Movie Connections:
Featured in AFI's 100 Years... 100 Heroes & Villains (2003) (TV)
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Soundtrack:
It Goes Like It Goes
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (29 total)
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The first time I saw this film was at an advance screening when I was a film student, and director Martin Ritt was there to speak and answer questions. I remember that he seemed like a very down-to-earth, nice guy. He patiently answered the students' questions and explained why the story attracted him. Maybe some of the affection I have for the film is because of that original positive experience, but I've probably seen it at least a dozen times and it hasn't worn thin.
Some people may find some of the characters and situations lacking in depth, but for me the movie is chiefly about Norma Rae's transformation as she becomes passionately devoted to unionizing the mill workers and, secondly, her interesting friendship with Reuben. It succeeds brilliantly on both counts, largely because of Sally Field's amazing performance. The scene where she stands on the table with the "union" sign is a classic, and it's Field's raw emotion that draws you in. Her fear and anger, and the power she feels when her coworkers show their support, are so apparent and so real that I'm always deeply moved.