Ragtime 1981
"The passion, the violence, the birth of America's Gilded Age."
Miloš Forman's sweeping 1981 epic *Ragtime* plunges audiences into the tumultuous turn-of-the-century New York City, where ambition collides with racial injustice in the heart of the Gilded Age.
Director: Miloš Forman
Cast
James Cagney
New York Police Commissioner Rhinelander Waldo
Brad Dourif
Younger Brother
Moses Gunn
Booker T. Washington
Elizabeth McGovern
Evelyn Nesbit
Kenneth McMillan
Willie Conklin
Pat O'Brien
Delmas
Donald O'Connor
Evelyn's Dance Instructor
James Olson
Father
Mandy Patinkin
Tateh
Howard Rollins
Coalhouse Walker Jr.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ragtime (1981) about?
The film unfolds in early 1900s New York, where the lives of a privileged white family intertwine with those of a Black pianist seeking justice and recognition. As secrets, infidelity, and racial tensions simmer beneath the surface, it paints a vivid portrait of a society grappling with its own contradictions.
Who directed Ragtime?
The film was directed by Miloš Forman, the acclaimed filmmaker behind *One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest* and *Amadeus*.
Who stars in Ragtime?
The cast includes James Cagney, Brad Dourif, Moses Gunn, Elizabeth McGovern, and Kenneth McMillan, bringing depth and authenticity to their roles.
Is Ragtime (1981) worth watching?
With its historical scope, emotional depth, and stellar performances, *Ragtime (1981)* is a standout drama that rewards viewers with its rich storytelling and atmospheric portrayal of early 20th-century America.
How long is Ragtime?
The runtime for *Ragtime* is 155 minutes, or just over two and a half hours.
🎥 Trailer
About Ragtime (1981) — A Gilded Age drama of love, race, and revolution
Miloš Forman's sweeping 1981 epic *Ragtime* plunges audiences into the tumultuous turn-of-the-century New York City, where ambition collides with racial injustice in the heart of the Gilded Age. Set against a backdrop of soaring piano melodies and simmering social unrest, the film weaves together the lives of an affluent white family, a determined Black pianist, and the undercurrents of power and prejudice that defined the era. With emotional depth and sweeping visuals, Forman crafts a narrative that balances intimate drama with sweeping historical forces, capturing the contradictions of a society on the brink of change.
Starring legends like James Cagney and Elizabeth McGovern alongside rising talents such as Brad Dourif, *Ragtime (1981)* delivers a richly textured story of love, betrayal, and the struggles for dignity in a world divided by race and class. The film's atmospheric storytelling evokes the vibrancy and volatility of early 1900s America, immersing viewers in a world where every melody and every glance carries weight.
