Norma Rae
Seen it?1979 | 110 min | Drama
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It won 2 Oscars, it earned strong reviews (91% on Rotten Tomatoes) 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 anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Selma, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 50 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- Made in 1979: an older pace and style.
Norma Rae is a southern textile worker employed in a factory with intolerable working conditions. This concern about the situation gives her the gumption to be the key associate to a visiting labor union organizer. Together, they undertake the difficult, and possibly dangerous, struggle to unionize her factory.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 2 Oscars: Academy Awards: Best Actress, Academy Awards: Best Original Song. Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. Won 1 Cannes award: Cannes Film Festival: Best Actress. Also nominated for 2 more Oscars, 2 more Golden Globes and 1 WGA Award. Plus 6 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$22 million worldwide on a $5 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 157K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Martin Ritt
- Sally FieldNorma Rae
- Ron LeibmanReuben
- Beau BridgesSonny
- Pat HingleVernon
- Barbara BaxleyLeona
- Gail StricklandBonnie Mae
- Morgan PaullWayne Billings
- Robert BroylesSam Bolen
- John CalvinEllis Harper
- Booth ColmanDr. Watson