Made in dagenham is based on the ford women car workers strike of 1968, in which female staff sewing seat covers for cortinas and zephyrs went on strike for the same wage as the men. Made in dagenhams message is served with a dollop of. It tells the true story of the 187 women working as machinists for ford dagenham plant whos fight for better pay and conditions played a key part in the battle for equal pay nationally and internationally. Made in dagenham really hits home thanks to three topdrawer performances. This strike was influential in the passing of the equal pay act of 1970. Sally hawkins, who was so impressive in mike leighs happygolucky, scores another acting triumph in this drama where she conveys the emotional nuances of ritas courage, resilience, guilt, and perseverance. Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, made in dagenham is based on a true story about a group of spirited women who joined forces, took a stand for what was. Nov 23, 2010 niki caros 2005 film north country starred charlize theron in a similar story about a woman who won the first american sexual harassment lawsuit. In the film that weve watched entitled made in dagenham, we have seen how powerful strikes can be. Made in dagenham is a nicely crafted battle of the sexes film that should find a welcoming audience. Sep 30, 2010 made in dagenham is based on the ford women car workers strike of 1968, in which female staff sewing seat covers for cortinas and zephyrs went on strike for the same wage as the men.
The film, while unfailingly entertaining, feels a little small for its subject. The speed with which they move is impressive and their newfound confidence brims over into their personal lives, as illustrated. Made in dagenham is a gem of a film, thoughtprovoking, entertaining and emotional. In 1968, womens rights took a broad leap forward when workers at the ford dagenham automobile plant buckling beneath deplorable working conditions rightly. The film stars sally hawkins, miranda richardson, rosamund pike set against the backdrop of the 1960s, made in dagenham is based on a true story about a group of spirited women who joined forces, took a stand for what was right, and in doing so, found their own inner strength. A film which focuses on working class people leading a strike is still a rarity on cinema screens and its a pleasure to watch made in dagenham portraying how being part of a collective struggle transforms the women. Made in dagenham the film made in dagenham directed by nigel cole is based on a true story but is not completely accurate with politically history. The fight for equal rights for women is, sadly, an ongoing struggle, but a film like made in dagenham reminds us how far our society has come. Film synopsis made in dagenham stars sally hawkins as rita ogrady who is the catalyst for the 1968 ford dagenham strike by women sewing machinists that led to the advent of the equal pay act. Create marketing content that resonates with prezi video. This resource is designed for students of citizenship, history, media, film and english gcse, as, a2 and equivalent. Rita lives in dagenham and, like many local women, she works at the ford plant stitching together seat covers. Jan 14, 2015 with a stellar british cast, made in dagenham is the inspiring story of the women who made history.
Made in dagenham is a 2010 british film directed by nigel cole. The year is 1968 and the 187 women machinists in the ford motor plant in. It dramatises the ford sewing machinists strike of 1968 that aimed for equal pay for women. Produced by 7 music by 1 cinematography by 1 film editing by 1 casting by 1 production design by 1 art direction by 1 set decoration by 1 costume design by 1 makeup department 29 production management 5 second unit director or assistant. Based on the 2010 film of the same name, which in turn was based on the real events of the ford sewing machinists strike of 1968, the musical made its. At one point, her character crashes a union meeting filled with men in dark suits who. Awardwinning sally hawkins happy go lucky is rita ogrady, a. The musical focuses on the leader of the strike, rita ogrady, as she encourages the women of the ford factory to. Made in dagenham is directed by nigel cole saving grace, calendar girls with a screenplay by william ivory based on the true story of rita ogrady and the working women who made history with their quest for justice from the ford motor company. Made in dagenham 2010 rita ogrady sally hawkins works for the ford motor co. Based on a true story, made in dagenham portrays a decisive moment in that decade of upheaval, when the fight for equal rights and pay was led unexpectedly by ordinary workingclass women with one foot in the kitchen, one foot on the factory floor, and ears glued to the pop coming over the radio and telly from faroff london 19 based on a true story, made in dagenham portrays. The setting and plot allow for a soundtrack full of poprock songs of around that period, some of them touching on the theme andor sung by women, most of those, naturally, britons. The drama vividly conveys the camaraderie of the women, who sense that the tide of change is on.
Made in dagenham is a british film directed by nigel cole. Sep 20, 2010 coincidentally, it is the same battle cry employed by rita ogrady sally hawkins, the firebrand hero of made in dagenham, which premiered in london last night, suggesting that this factbased. Women sewing machinists, working long hours in bad conditions, voted to lay down their tools when their work was classified as unskilled, giving them the lowest rate of pay. Thats why the film, while unfailingly entertaining, feels a little small for its subject. Nov 16, 2010 it may have been a mans world in 1968, but it wouldnt be for long. In 1968, one determined factory worker leads her colleagues out on strike in the hope of. Feb 09, 2011 the fight for equal rights for women is, sadly, an ongoing struggle, but a film like made in dagenham reminds us how far our society has come. Part of made in dagenham s appeal is that it was clearly made for a british audience. This post was written by a feministing community user and does not necessarily reflect the views of any feministing columnist, editor, or executive director. The reallife women behind made in dagenham cbs news. Part of made in dagenhams appeal is that it was clearly made for a british audience.
Made in dagenham original soundtrack original soundtrack. The women went on strike, annoyed their unions and their husbands and embarrassed wilson, who was caught with his principles down. Made in dagenhams message is served with a dollop of sugar. With a stellar british cast, made in dagenham is the inspiring story of the women who made history. Teachers notes film educations online resource for learners aged 1519 features digital teaching materials exploring the film made in dagenham. Made in dagenham is a dramatisation of the real life 1968 workers strike at the ford car factory in dagenham, east london, where women workers went on strike in protest against sexual discrimination. The setting is 1968 when harold wilson is prime minister and barbara castle is wilsons secretary of state for employment and productivity. Organized around a terrific performance by sally hawkins, made in dagenham is a stirring call for pay equity replete with heart and wit. The film is a dramatisation of the 1968 ford sewing machinists strike at the ford dagenham assembly plant. It is also worth staying for final credits which feature actual television news footage of the.
Vivid, stirring and entirely predictable, made in dagenham is a grownup feelgood movie plunked into a feelbad age. A patronizing film about workingclass feminism sally hawkins is tremendous, but made in dagenham s approach to the historic autoplant strike just feels canned shares. Directed by nigel cole, whose 2003 film, calendar girls, told a. Against a background of desmond dekkars the israelites the opening shot shows the sewing room where the seat covers and door panels are handsewn by women on individual sewing machines. It is fascinating to watch a leader unfold before our eyes. A strong cast and good writing make this a easy to watch film, with good performances from bob hoskins, sally hawkins and miranda richardson as the indomitable barbara castle. Comedy drama charting the fight of female factory workers at the ford dagenham plant for equal pay. East london, essex, on june 8 1968, 187 women machinists workers when on strike for equality. 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. Coincidentally, it is the same battle cry employed by rita ogrady sally hawkins, the firebrand hero of made in dagenham, which premiered in. Awardwinning sally hawkins happy go lucky is rita ogrady, a feisty yet warmhearted worker. A film about the triumph of the underdog is not original, but done well and with heart, its always affecting.
Made in dagenham the film opens with some facts and figures about the ford dagenham factory and the number of people employed a fraction of whom were women. The film opens with some facts and figures about the ford dagenham factory and the number of people employed, a fraction of whom were women. Film council presentation, in association with hanway films, bms finance and lip sync prods. Made in dagenham is a british movie about how britain came to pass legislation in 1970 forcing businesses to establish equal pay for equal work for women. Made in dagenham story, made in dagenham hollywood movie. Made in dagenham is a film about a strike at a ford motor plant in the london suburb of the title in 1968 by women workers seeking to achieve equal pay with men. The unexpected thing about made in dagenham is how entertaining it is. The year is 1968 and the 187 women machinists in the ford motor plant in dagenham are faring rather worse than its.
Hawkins says made in dagenham was a powerful film for her. Made in dagenham is a 2010 film directed by nigel cole. Dagenham character outlines hessle theatre company. A dramatization of the 1968 strike at the ford dagenham car plant, where female workers walked out in protest against sexual discrimination.
The teachers notes offer a comprehensive guide to using the resource. In 1968, the ford auto factory in dagenham was one of the largest single private employers in the united kingdom. The musical focuses on the leader of the strike, rita ogrady, as she encourages the women of the ford factory to walk out after they are reclassified as. Made in dagenham is the true story of a group of workingclass english women who walked off the job protesting their. It may have been a mans world in 1968, but it wouldnt be for long. A patronizing film about workingclass feminism sally hawkins is tremendous, but made in dagenhams approach to the historic autoplant strike just feels canned shares. Character description, analysis and casting breakdown for rita ogrady from made in dagenham join stageagent today and unlock amazing theatre resources and opportunities.
It is done so that the rights of the workers will be upheld, and that, only upon compliance of the legal requirements may it be declared a valid strike. In 1968, actually, when skilled female machinists at ford made history by going on strike in protest at being classed as unskilled workers a way for management to avoid paying them decent wages. Made in dagenham is a musical with music by david arnold, lyrics by richard thomas, and a book by richard bean. Niki caros 2005 film north country starred charlize theron in a similar story about a woman who won the first american sexual harassment lawsuit. The reallife tale of a group of female machinists who took on the ford motor co. This resource is designed for students of citizenship, history, media, film and english at gcse, as, a2 and equivalent. Once again, a good example of the excellent films that the british film industry is reputed for. Made in dagenham also has a slightly faded, grainy almost super 8ish look to it, giving it the illusion of having actually been made in the 60s, not just set in it. Its intricate work carried out in sweltering conditions. Apr 11, 2011 made in dagenham also has a slightly faded, grainy almost super 8ish look to it, giving it the illusion of having actually been made in the 60s, not just set in it. This educational site for learners aged 1519 features digital teaching materials exploring the film made in dagenham. Once again, a good example of the excellent films that the british film industry is reputed for producing. Character description, analysis and casting breakdown for rita ogrady from made in dagenham. Against a background of desmond dekkars the israelites the opening shot shows the sewing room where the seat covers and door panels are hand sewn by women on individual sewing machines.
The filmmakers have gathered an impressive array of supporting players. Based on a true story, made in dagenham portrays a decisive moment in that decade of upheaval, when the fight for equal rights and pay was led unexpectedly by ordinary workingclass women with one foot in the kitchen, one foot on the factory floor, and ears glued to the pop coming over the radio and telly from faroff london 19 based on a true story, made in dagenham. Based on the 2010 film of the same name, made in dagenham is drawn from the reallife 1968 sewing machinists strike at the ford factory in dagenham, essex. May 31, 2011 in 1968, womens rights took a broad leap forward when workers at the ford dagenham automobile plant buckling beneath deplorable working conditions rightly perceived as gender discrimination. Made in dagenham is based on the ford women car workers strike of 1968, in which female staff sewing seat covers for cortinas and zephyrs went on. With sally hawkins, bob hoskins, andrea riseborough, jaime winstone.
Against a background of desmond dekkars the israelites the opening shot shows the sewing room where the seat covers and door panels are hand sewn by women on individual sewing. The film stars sally hawkins, bob hoskins, miranda richardson, geraldine james, rosamund pike, andrea riseborough, jaime winstone, daniel mays and richard schiff. Made in dagenham is a delightfully entertaining movie based on fact. Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto. It feels authentic, has wonderful performances, and avoids sentimentality. This commanded headlines, galvanised the political debate, and indirectly led to the equal pay act of 1970. Set in the dagenham ford factory in 1968, the film traces the story of a small minority of fords employees, the women workers, who were part of the social change that resulted in equal pay for women. This recreates their struggle with grit and humour and a fantastic british cast.
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