Ragtime (1981)

PG   |    |  Drama

Ragtime (1981) Poster

A young black pianist becomes embroiled in the lives of an upper-class white family set among the racial tensions, infidelity, violence, and other nostalgic events in early 1900s New York City.

7.3/10
8,767
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57 Metascore

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  • James Cagney and Milos Forman in Ragtime (1981)
  • James Cagney and Milos Forman in Ragtime (1981)
  • Debbie Allen and Howard E. Rollins Jr. in Ragtime (1981)
  • Elizabeth McGovern and Donald O'Connor in Ragtime (1981)
  • Elizabeth McGovern in Ragtime (1981)
  • James Olson and Howard E. Rollins Jr. in Ragtime (1981)

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Awards

Nominated for 8 Oscars.

Another 2 wins & 14 nominations.

Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews
1 May 2000 | djexplorer
No, NOT the 30's, not the 20's, the 'oughts ...
1906, to be specific, is when Stanford White was shot -- which of course marks the beginning date bookmark of the movie.

The "declaration of war" -- WW I -- as announced in a Newspaper headline at the end of the film, bookmarks the end of the movie -- and of the era.

Not trivial points, since a good part of the interest of this movie lies it it's serving as a relatively rare window into this period. Which unlike the 1930s or the 1920s which the plot summary and first comment confuse it with, is not a period which is much portrayed in film.

I'd say it's a pretty good, although not great, "costume" film. The first half is much stronger than the second half, both in historical interest and in character development.

Worth seeing though. Perhaps try seeing it right after "Age of Innocence", which is set primarily in the New York of the 1870s (although entirely among the upper upper class, instead of the somewhat broader class look, and city/near country look of Ragtime).

Metacritic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Did You Know?

Trivia

O.J. Simpson lobbied hard for the role of Coalhouse Walker, Jr. As presented in the documentary O.J.: Made in America (2016), Simpson saw himself in that role, but director Milos Forman decided to go with Howard E. Rollins, Jr., a former teacher who got his first break in films with this role.

Quotes

Coalhouse Walker Jr.: Lord, I'd hoped I'd have the courage to know what I should do now. You must see how sick at heart I've been... and how I've performed this thing with little appetite.
Coalhouse Walker Jr.: I'd hoped... you'd reveal to me along the way why you put such a rage in my heart.
Coalhouse Walker Jr.: ...

Goofs

When Coalhouse Walker, Jr. strikes keys on the piano of the "family's" house, he announces that the piano is terribly out of tune, and admonishes Father to take better care of the instrument. Not only is there nothing to indicate that the piano is out of tune (the struck notes suggest that the piano is in tune), but moments later, Coalhouse plays a Chopin waltz on the same piano, it is in perfect tune.

Soundtracks

One More Hour
(1981)
Words & Music by Randy Newman
Sung by Jennifer Warnes

Storyline

Plot Summary

Synopsis (WARNING: Spoilers)

Genres

Drama

Details

Release Date:

25 December 1981

Language

English

Country of Origin

USA

Filming Locations

Branford Trolley Museum, East Haven, Connecticut, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$151,351 22 November 1981

Gross USA:

$14,920,781

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,920,781

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