Made in Dagenham (2010)

A dramatization of the 1968 strike at the Ford Dagenham car plant, where female workers walked out in protest against sexual discrimination.

Director:

Nigel Cole

Writer:

William Ivory

Stars:

Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins, Andrea Riseborough

Nominated for 3 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 3 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sally Hawkins	...	Rita O'Grady
Andrea Riseborough	...	Brenda
Jaime Winstone	...	Sandra
Lorraine Stanley	...	Monica
Nicola Duffett	...	Eileen
Geraldine James	...	Connie
Bob Hoskins	...	Albert Passingham
Matthew Aubrey	...	Brian (as Matt Aubrey)
Daniel Mays	...	Eddie O'Grady
Roger Lloyd Pack	...	George (as Roger Lloyd-Pack)
Phil Cornwell	...	Dave
Karen Seacombe	...	Marge
Thomas Arnold	...	Martin
Sian Scott	...	Sharon O'Grady
Robbie Kay	...	Graham O'Grady

Storyline

In 1968, the Ford auto factory in Dagenham was one of the largest single private employers in the United Kingdom. In addition to the thousands of male employees, there are also 187 underpaid women machinists who primarily assemble the car seat upholstery in poor working conditions. Dissatisfied, the women, represented by the shop steward and Rita O'Grady, work with union rep Albert Passingham for a better deal. However, Rita learns that there is a larger issue in this dispute considering that women are paid an appalling fraction of the men's wages for the same work across the board on the sole basis of their sex. Refusing to tolerate this inequality any longer, O'Grady leads a strike by her fellow machinists for equal pay for equal work. What follows would test the patience of all involved in a grinding labour and political struggle that ultimately would advance the cause of women's rights around the world.

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Plot Keywords:

f rated | whitehall | rolling downhill | looking at oneself in a mirror | sex scene | 

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Taglines:

1968. It's a man's world. But not for long...

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and brief sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 September 2010 (UK)

Also Known As:

We Want Sex

Filming Locations:

Dagenham, Essex, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$7,200,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£674,059 (United Kingdom), 3 October 2010, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$37,563, 21 November 2010, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,094,798, 10 April 2011

Company Credits

Production Co:

Audley Films,BBC Films,BMS Finance

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White (television footage)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Producer Stephen Woolley got the idea for the film when he heard a 40 year reunion interview with the Dagenham workers on the radio.

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Goofs

In the bar after the Eastbourne conference when Sandra is at the bar, a modern set of beer pumps is visible with a plastic Guinness pump handle prominent. (At about 1hr 26mins)

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Quotes

Eddie O'Grady: Christ, I like a drink, but I ain't out on the beer every night or screwin' other women, or... 'Ere, I've never once raised me hand to you. Ever. Or the kids.
Rita O'Grady: Christ.
Eddie O'Grady: What? Why are you looking like that?
Rita O'Grady: Right. You're a saint now, is that what you're tellin' me, Eddie? You're a bleedin' saint? 'Cause you give us an even break?
Eddie O'Grady: What are you saying?
Rita O'Grady: That is as it should be. Jesus, Eddie! What do you think this strike's all been about, eh? Oh yeah. Actually you're right. You don't go on the drink,...

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Crazy Credits

Captions in the closing credits: "Two years later in May 1970 the Equal Pay Act became law. Similar legislation quickly followed in most industrial countries across the world. Ford Motor Company Limited went on to effect changes in its employment practices and is now used as an example of a good practice employer."

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Connections

Referenced in Breakfast: Episode dated 21 September 2010 (2010)

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Soundtracks

Paper Sun
Written by Steve Winwood (as Winwood) / Jim Capaldi (as Capaldi) / Chris Wood (as Wood) / Dave Mason (as Mason)
Performed by Traffic
Published by Universal / Island Music and © 1967 (Renewed) F.S. Music Ltd (PRS)
All Rights On Behalf Of F.S. Music Ltd
Administered By Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.
All Rights Reserved
Courtesy of Universal-Island Records Ltd
Under license from Universal Music Operations Ltd

User Reviews

Emotionally charged slice of recent history

Made in Dagenham is a gem of a film, thought-provoking, entertaining and emotional. It tells the true story of the 187 women working as machinists for Ford Dagenham plant who's fight for better pay and conditions played a key part in the battle for equal pay nationally and internationally. I was moved to tears by the passion and commitment shown by ordinary women taking on the entrenched sexism of the time. A sparkling performance from Sally Hawkins as Rita the leader of the group is complemented by excellent performances from the whole cast including Bob Hoskins, Geraldine James and Jaime Winstone. Aside from the serious issues the film also provides a wonderful wallow in nostalgia for the late sixties. I highly recommend this film, the best I've seen so far this year.