1968 and the women machinists at Ford’s Dagenham plant are being downgraded to unskilled status. They are led by the reluctantly formidable Rita O’Grady (Sally Hawkins), and union rep Albert Passingham (Bob Hoskins) shares their outrage. Claiming parity with their male counterparts, their 3 week strike ultimately led to the Equal Pay Act. An unashamedly feel good film and with a stellar cast – Miranda Richardson, Rosamund Pike, Rupert Graves and Kenneth Cranham. “They stand their ground and get the job done. With the occasional tea break thrown in.” – Xan Brooks, The Guardian. (Cert 15)
Dir: Nigel Cole 109 mins UK 2010
Programme Notes
MADE IN DAGENHAM
UK 2010 108 minutes Cert. 15
Welcome to all ABCD members to the 2011/2012 season of films, which we hope you will find as rewarding, challenging and entertaining as in previous years.
To get the season under way, this evening we are screening Made in Dagenham from director Nigel Cole (Calendar Girls) which, with a light touch, depicts the historic industrial action at Ford’s Dagenham car plant that led ultimately to the Equal Pay Act of 1970. With attention to detail in the prevailing attitudes of the time, in women’s fashions – spot the Mary Quant and Biba – and in the music of the swinging Sixties, the film brings to life that exciting period when everything seemed possible.
With an ensemble cast of both established and emerging talents, the performances deliver with harmony the human story of those Dagenham women whose victory resonates to this day. Unashamedly nostalgic, but with a political punch.
Sandie Shaw, who sings the film’s title song, was herself a punch card operator at Dagenham.
Rita O’Grady – Sally Hawkins
Eddie O’Grady – Daniel Mays
Albert Passingham – Bob Hoskins
Sandra – Jaime Winstone
Connie – Geraldine James
Director – Nigel Cole
Screenplay – William Ivory
Cinematography – John de Borman
Original Music – David Arnold
Producers – Elizabeth Karlsen, Stephen Woolley
“Made in Dagenham is a delightfully entertaining movie based on fact. The women went on strike, annoyed their unions and their husbands and embarrassed [Harold] Wilson, who was caught with his principles down.” Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Comments
“Brilliant!”
“Excellent!”
“Terrific film – terrific start to the season!”
“An inspiring start to the season”
“Great choice – the best film I’ve seen in ages. Thank you.”
“Brilliant. Thank you so much.”
“First rate in all respects – and most moving”
“Most enjoyable”
“Excellent entertainment. Most enjoyable treatment of a serious subject.”
“Entertaining and informative – many thanks”
“A feel-good film but none the worse for that. Thank goodness Ford changed its working practices – all’s well that ends well!”
“A brilliant and more or less accurate portrayal [that] typified the unrest in the late 1960s.”
“Excellent portrayal of the period, making the entire film very realistic.”
“A really well made film with a justifiably feel-good ending”
“Feel-good in spades!”
“Feel-good but the characterisation lacked depth and [the] direction was [without] flair. If only the Labour party was still willing to back Union power …”
“This was an entertaining crowd-pleaser that could have dealt with a lot more themes in detail, such as gender politics and capital punishment.”
“Great subject but [I] would have preferred to see more of the fabulous archive footage at the end. A shame it fell into comedy stereotypes and ‘feel-goodery’ – the out come was feel-good [enough] all on its own and didn’t need this sentimental treatment.”
“My missus thought it was very good and I didn’t succeed in persuading her that she was wrong.”
“We could do with some more fiery politicians!”
“I’ve always liked Barbara Cartland …”
“Was it really as difficult as that?”
“Loved the film – it was a real laugh!”