IMDb > Norma Rae (1979)
Norma Rae
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Norma Rae (1979) More at IMDbPro »

Videos
Norma Rae (1979) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   3,501 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 16% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Martin Ritt
Writers:
Harriet Frank Jr. (writer)
Irving Ravetch (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Norma Rae on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
4 June 1979 (Denmark) more
Genre:
Drama more
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
Awards:
Won 2 Oscars. Another 9 wins & 6 nominations more
User Comments:
More than one actress's tour-de-force, an indelible and moving human story 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
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
110 min | Canada:96 min (Ontario) | USA:123 min (TCM print)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Stereo
Filming Locations:
Auburn, Alabama, USA more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Faye Dunaway turned down the chance to play Norma Rae and instead made The Champ (1979). more
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. more
Quotes:
Norma Rae: Why did you tell him that, we don't even have a dog? more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "October Road.: Best Friend Windows (#1.6)" (2007) more
Soundtrack:
It Goes Like It Goes more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
16 out of 16 people found the following comment useful.
More than one actress's tour-de-force, an indelible and moving human story, 17 November 2001
7/10
Author: moonspinner55 from redlands, ca

In trying to get the textile mill she and her family work for unionized, Sally Field's Norma Rae Webster also tries to earn self-respect at any cost. She's been leading a dead-end existence: a single mother, still living with her family, sleeping with married men who abuse her. But after being inspired by a union-organizer (Ron Liebman, in an Oscar-worthy supporting performance), Norma Rae is awakened to the possibilities of life, and, what's more, everything that is wrong with the mill that seems to suck the energy and hope from those who stand there day after day trying to earn an honest dollar. There are problems with the picture: Beau Bridges' role as new husband Sonny is treated in a trivial manner (he's supposed to be a voice of reason, but he's too smooth, maybe condescending, and it's an unconvincing character); Oscar-winner Field's fiestiness occasionally feels overdrawn and/or one-note, but in many of the scenes outside the factory she does indeed excel, seeming vibrantly natural and exuberant. Martin Ritt's direction is focused and firmly rooted (he never sugarcoats Norma Rae's character, and sometimes she's not that likable) and the script manages to sidestep preachiness to get its points across entertainingly. The art direction is really the second star of the film: vivid, palpably hot and sweaty, with bits of cotton floating about in the air. The mill in question becomes very familiar to us, as do the people who work there. "Norma Rae" is involved and long, yet it is memorably bittersweet, and with a simple, haunting finish. *** from ****

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (29 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Norma Rae (1979)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Ending- Sonny vs. Reuben jwllover4080
Sonny's heartfelt speech MedioSiglo
UNION!!! thinkofthealternativ-1
sonny stance628
300+ voted against it. Why?? erinlovesdan
Fantasy Remake HippieKid31
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Daens Matewan Places in the Heart Peyton Place The Supermarket
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.