I’m surprised to have not seen anything in this forum yet. This HBO movie aired recently, and tonight is second-chance Tuesday, in case you’ve missed it. It’s the true story of what the women went through to lobby for and get the 19th Amendment passed.
If you are a woman, and you enjoy voting, I think you should attempt to see this film. I hadn’t realized what the suffragettes went through and really knew nothing about any of that. (Save for the David Bowie song, Suffragette City, which doesn’t really count!)
It stars Hilary Swank, Anjelica Houston, Julia Ormond and a number of other big names. I thought it was very well done, excellent costumes. I did have some minor criticisms, such as “how did these chicks live? They weren’t married and there’s no indication as to how the rent is paid and food gets put on their tables. Were they all wealthy?” My other problem was the use of modern music in the background. I think it’s always a terrible idea to use modern music in a period piece. It’s anachronistic and jarring and just plain bugs me. They should have used period music – especially the songs the suffragettes sang to keep up their spirits.
But overall, I thought it was pretty good and a good history lesson for those of us who take our rights to vote for granted. In fact, I became so fascinated with the story (especially the end, which I was too tired to stay up for), I did a search on Swank’s character, Alice Paul and found some fascinating reading, mostly an interview with her toward the end of her life wherein she re-counts all of her feminist adventures, including her work on ERA in the 70’s. Really interesting woman. Note: If you follow that link, you have to type in “Alice Paul” in the keyword search, then scroll down to find the 8th title, “Alice Paul” – that’s what I’m reading now, although there appears to be a lot of other great reading on the subject here.
I haven’t watched it yet, but I have Comcast on Demand, so I can watch it when I want to - and I do plan to. I thought the previews looked fascinating. I’ll check back after I’ve seen it.
I’ll probably watch it later tonight or maybe tomorrow afternoon.
I just finished watching this and I loved it. You are right about the music, but it did not really bother me. I have been waiting to see this since I saw the first preview. I love movies about empowerment. Even though I knew how it would end I was cheering them on the whole time. This was soooo much better than the junk Hollywood spoon feeds us.
I was somewhat disapointed that they failed even to mention Congresswomen Jeanette Rankin (R-MT), after all she was serving in congress at this turbulent time.
The producers properly thought it would of taken away from the utter feeling of loss you where suppose to feel if a women was alreaedy in congress before the passing of the 19th Admendment.
Of course, personally I thought it would of made the movie richer.
Saw it and loved it. It clearly let us know that it was going to be History Light by the snappy dialog and the modern music, but it kept the momentum up nicely.
It gave me the impression they lived on donations–all that talk about fundraising.
I also searched for Alice Paul, and there is good information about her on the web. I was disappointed to find much less on Lucy Burns, though.
Yes, very inspiring, even to those who don’t particularly “enjoy voting.”
I saw it and really liked it. The movie was a nice supplement to what I had learned in my Women’s History class.
One review I read about “Iron Jawed Angels” said that the movie paints suffragettes as obsessed with sex and fashion as Carrie Bradshaw (i.e. Alice Paul’s pink hat). I think I threw up a little in my mouth after reading that. Talk about missing the frickin point!
I think the was either said his mother is dead or something like “Sonny, if you love me vote yes.”
Good uplifting, educational movie.
So, while it may not have been as dramatic as receiving a telegram just prior to casting his vote, there is a basis in fact for the scene in the movie.
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one. I would have loved to hear some music from 1915-19. Oh well…
It was an enjoyable movie. I had no idea how much Wilson was helping stonewall sufferage. I alwasy thought he was a prick as President, now I have more proof ;).
I know I’m coming a little late to the party, but I saw this movie last night with my girlfriend.
I’ve also been reading Irshad Manji’s book The Trouble With Islam, which really enriched my perspective. I said to The Missus, “It is so great that these women could fight so brazenly for their rights, without worrying about being firebombed or stoned to death.” It made me realize how awesome it was when Americans believed in freedom, and it was something REAL to them, not just a concept.
As for the modern music, I think it made the film more accessible. It was a “hook” to get less purist viewers to be like; “ooh, cool…” and keep watching, when they might otherwise have been like; “Booooorrriiiiiing!” Also, the directorial style was very modern, with the vibrant colours and the quick cuts, which made it less jarring (IMO).
Hey, I just got finished watching it. Great movie. My chest was tight throughout the whole thing.
I loved the use of the modern music. I feel like it linked me to those women in the past, like those women were like me
At the same time I felt ashamed. I haven’t voted since I’ve turned eighteen. What those women went through to get me the right to vote was horrendous, and I don’t do it. I decided several months ago with all the war in Iraq stuff, the gay marriage thing, etc, that I would vote in the next presidential election. This just reinforced my resolve and commitment that I will do it. I should do it.
Ms. Smurf, you just took my breath away with your post. I swear to you, I have chill bumps. There are others here who understand exactly why.
I found the movie very moving and so did my husband. I recommend it to the men too. Mr. Zoe was surprised that their torment was not covered in more detail in history books. It’s that sort of thing that led to women’s studies.
Dewey, Harry Burn was staying at the Hermitage Hotel in Nashville and I think the letter was addressed to him there. It may be that someone delivered it to him elsewhere. At any rate, the Hermitage is still a fine place to stay. Our daughter’s wedding rehersal dinner was there and I thought about the young man and his choice. I wonder how many times one vote has made such a difference.
And that leads me back to you, LorieSmurf. I would like to send you a book written by a woman who made a great difference in my life and the way I think about being involved. She was one of the leaders of the movement in the 1960’s and 1970’s and the book is about her life and how she overcame problems with self-esteem. I will look to see if your email address is available. If not, tell me which Moderator you would be willing to leave your address with and I will have Amazon send you the book. Just let me know what to do if you read this.
I really thought they did a fabulous job with this movie. I was watching and frequently alternating between cussing and crying. My husband wandered in and out a few times, and after standing and staring at the television for a few minutes, he asked me if it really was that hard for women to get the right to vote. All he knew about the women’s suffrage movement was Susan B. Anthony; he didn’t even know about Elizabeth Cady Stanton or any of the great women who worked along with them and who carried the work forward.
I’ve always considered it a privilege to be able to vote. Watching that movie just reinforced those feelings for me.
Haven’t seen the movie yet, but thanks to this thread I will keep my eyes open for it.
Also wanted to say that the interaction between Straight Dopers **Zoe ** and Ms. Smurf, totally remind me why I love this place. This board is truly a special place, and I’m glad to be a part of this community.
This was soooo much better than the junk Hollywood spoon feeds us.