The Progressive Era in the United States, which lasted approximately from the 1890s to the 1920s, was a time of social and political reform. During this period, there were significant efforts to address issues such as corruption, monopolies, labor conditions, and women's suffrage. Films about the Progressive Era often explore the struggles and triumphs of this transformative time in American history.
“Ragtime”, 1981
Director: Milos Forman
Set in the early 1900s, this film follows the lives of various characters as they navigate the rapidly changing social and political landscape of the Progressive Era. It delves into issues of racial tension, labor disputes, and the evolving role of women in society.
Starring: Howard E. Rollins Jr., James Olson, Elizabeth McGovern, Brad Dourif, Mary Steenburgen, Mandy Patinkin, Robert Joy, James Cagney, Kenneth McMillan, Debbie Allen, Moses Gunn, Pat O'Brien, Donald O'Connor, Jeffrey DeMunn, Norman Mailer, Bruce Boa, Hoolihand Burke, Norman Chancer, Edwin Cooper, Jeff Daniels, Fran Drescher, Frankie Faison, Hal Galili, Alan Gifford, Richard Griffiths, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Jeter, Calvin Levels, Bessie Love, Christopher Malcolm, Herman Meckler, Billy J. Mitchell, Jenny Nichols, Max Nichols, Zack Norman, Eloise Taylor, Don Plumley, Ted Ross, Dorsey Wright, Robert Arden, Robert Boyd, Thomas A. Carlin, John Clarkson, Brian F. Dean, Harry Ditson, Robert Dorning, Geoffrey Greenhill, Ray Hassett, Robert Hitt, Rodney James;
Production year: 1981;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 155 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Ragtime” on the website imdb.com
“The Birth of a Nation”, 1915
Director: D.W. Griffith
Directed by D.W. Griffith, this controversial silent film depicts the Civil War and Reconstruction era, which overlaps with the tail end of the Progressive Era. While the film's historical accuracy and portrayal of race have been heavily criticized, it remains a significant piece of early American cinema.
Starring: Lillian Gish, Mae Marsh, Henry B. Walthall, Miriam Cooper, Mary Alden, Ralph Lewis, George Siegmann, Walter Long, Robert Harron, Wallace Reid, Elmer Clifton, Josephine Crowell, Spottiswoode Aitken, George Beranger, Maxfield Stanley, Jennie Lee, Donald Crisp, Howard Gaye, Bennie Billings, Monte Blue, Harry Braham, Bob Burns, Edmund Burns, Edward Burns, Fred Burns, David Butler, Peggy Cartwright, William E. Cassidy, Dark Cloud, Lenore Cooper, Sam De Grasse, William De Vaull, Charles Eagle Eye, John Ford, Alberta Franklin, William Freeman, Gibson Gowland, Olga Grey, Fred Hamer, Russell Hicks, Walter Huston, Alberta Lee, Elmo Lincoln, Betty Marsh, Donna Montran, Eugene Pallette, Vester Pegg, Jack Pickford;
Production year: 1915;
Genre: drama, war, history;
Age: 0+;
Duration: 187 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,1;
More information about the film “The Birth of a Nation” on the website imdb.com
“The Wind and the Lion”, 1975
Director: John Milius
This adventure film is set in 1904 and centers around a historical incident involving an American woman kidnapped by a Berber chieftain. Against the backdrop of the Progressive Era, the film explores themes of imperialism, diplomacy, and cultural clashes.
Starring: Sean Connery, Candice Bergen, Brian Keith, John Huston, Geoffrey Lewis, Steve Kanaly, Vladek Sheybal, Nadim Sawalha, Roy Jenson, Deborah Baxter, Jack Cooley, Chris Aller, Simon Harrison, Polly Gottesman, Antoine Saint-John, Aldo Sambrell, Luis Barboo, Darrell Fetty, Marc Zuber, Shirley Rothman, Rusty Cox, Larry Cross, Alex Weldon, Akio Mitamura, Frank Gassman, Audrey San Felix, Ben Tatar, Michael Damian, Eduardo Bea, Robert Case, Juan Cazalilla, Mariano Ciudad, Anita Colby, James Cooley, Russ Cox Jr., Rupert Crabb, Howard Hagan, Art Larkin, Terry Leonard, David V. Lester, Leon Liberman, James Mitchell, Ricardo Palacios, Carl Rapp, Paul Rusking, Allen Russell, Felipe Solano, Charles Stalmaker;
Production year: 1975;
Genre: action, drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “The Wind and the Lion” on the website imdb.com
“Matewan”, 1987
Director: John Sayles
Based on a true story, this film portrays the struggles of coal miners in West Virginia during the early 1920s, a period that marked the end of the Progressive Era. It delves into the labor disputes and tensions between workers and the powerful coal companies.
Starring: Chris Cooper, Mary McDonnell, Will Oldham, David Strathairn, Ken Jenkins, Kevin Tighe, Gordon Clapp, Bob Gunton, Jace Alexander, Joe Grifasi, James Earl Jones, Josh Mostel, Nancy Mette, Jo Henderson, Gary McCleery, Tom Wright, Michael B. Preston, Thomas A. Carlin, Jenni Cline, Michael Mantell, J.K. Kent Lilly, Ida Williams, James Kizer, Ronnie Stapleton, Davide Ferrario, Frank Payne Jr., Hazel Dickens, Charles Haywood, Neale Clark, Mitch Scott, Hazel Pearl, Michael Frasher, Frank Hoyt Taylor, Fred Decker, Bill Morris, Delmas Lawhorn, William Dean, P. Michael Munsey, Thomas Hal Phillips, Stephen C. Hall, Percy Fruit, Thomas Poore, Tara Williams, Gerald Milnes, Jim Costa, Phil Wiggins, Jim Damron;
Production year: 1987;
Genre: drama, western, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 135 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
More information about the film “Matewan” on the website imdb.com
These films offer diverse perspectives on the Progressive Era, shedding light on the complex social, political, and cultural dynamics of the time.
As the credits roll on the selection of films about the progressive era, one can't help but be struck by the powerful storytelling and thought-provoking narratives that have brought this pivotal period of history to life. From the struggles of labor unions to the fight for women's suffrage, these films have illuminated the complexities and triumphs of the progressive era, offering a lens through which to examine our present and inspire hope for the future. With their compelling characters and rich historical context, these films not only entertain but also educate and challenge viewers to reflect on the ongoing pursuit of social justice and equality. This collection of films serves as a testament to the enduring relevance of the progressive era and its impact on shaping the world we live in today.
