Ragtime
Seen it?1981 | 155 min | Drama, History
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (84% on Rotten Tomatoes), it drew serious awards attention and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved She Said, start here.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Unhurried and epic, at 2 hr 35 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- It's long: 2 hr 35 min.
A young black pianist becomes embroiled in the lives of an upper-class white family set among the racial tensions, infidelity, violence, and other nostalgic events in early 1900s New York City.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
84% on Rotten Tomatoes, 57 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Nominated for 7 Oscars.
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 157K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Miloš Forman
- James CagneyNew York Police Commissioner Rhinelander Waldo
- Brad DourifYounger Brother
- Moses GunnBooker T. Washington
- Elizabeth McGovernEvelyn Nesbit
- Kenneth McMillanWillie Conklin
- Pat O'BrienDelmas
- Donald O'ConnorEvelyn's Dance Instructor
- James OlsonFather
- Mandy PatinkinTateh
- Howard RollinsCoalhouse Walker Jr.