Iron Jawed Angels

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TOMATOMETER

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89%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 6,395

Movie Info

German filmmaker Katja von Garnier directs the HBO original movie Iron Jawed Angels, inspired by a pivotal chapter in American history. Hilary Swank plays Alice Paul, an American feminist who risked her life to fight for women's citizenship and the right to vote. She founded the separatist National Woman's Party and wrote the first equal rights amendment to be presented before Congress. Together with social reformer Lucy Burns (Frances O'Connor), Paul struggled against conservative forces in order to pass the 19th amendment to the Constitution of the United States. One of their first actions was a parade on President Woodrow Wilson's (Bob Gunton) inauguration day. The suffragettes also encountered opposition from the old guard of the National American Women's Suffrage Association, Carrie Chapman Catt (Anjelica Huston). The activists get arrested and go on a well-publicized hunger strike, where their refusal to eat earns them the title of "the iron-jawed angels." Iron Jawed Angels was screened at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004 before its television premiere on HBO.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Drama
Directed By:

Katja von Garnier
Written By:

Sally Robinson, Eugenia Bostwick-Singer, Raymond Singer, Jennifer Friedes, Sally Robinson
In Theaters:

Jan 1, 2003 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Sep 7, 2004
Runtime:

123 minutes
Studio:

HBO Films

Cast

Hilary Swank
as Alice Paul

Frances O'Connor (II)
as Lucy Burns

Anjelica Huston
as Carrie Chapman Catt

Patrick Dempsey
as Ben Weissman

Molly Parker
as Emily Leighton

Julia Ormond
as Inez

Joseph Adams
as Sen. Leighton

Laura Fraser
as Doris Stevens

Trevor Gagnon
as Frances

Vera Farmiga
as Ruza Wenclawska

Lois Smith
as Anna Howard Shaw

Heather McCorkindale
as Katherine

Brooke Smith
as Mabel Vernon

Margo Martindale
as Harriot Blatch

Kristina Vensko
as Jenny Leighton

Adilah Barnes
as Ida Wells-Barnett

Carrie Snodgress
as Mrs. Paul

Bob Gunton
as President Woodrow Wilson

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News & Interviews for Iron Jawed Angels

Actors Sign Up for a Taste of "Blood and Chocolate"

Katja von Garnier Bites Into "Blood and Chocolate"

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Critic Reviews for Iron Jawed Angels

All Critics (4) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (1)

It's a reminder that feminism is first of all about human rights.

Jan 26, 2018 | Full Review…

John Leonard
New York Magazine/Vulture
Top Critic
Iron Jawed Angels is an important history lesson told in a fresh, and blazing fashion.

Feb 17, 2004

Richard Roeper
Ebert & Roeper
Top Critic
Despite the film's anachronistic approach -- fast-tracking camera tricks and a soundtrack pulsating with contemporary musical numbers -- there's a lot to appreciate in Katja von Garnier's classy precursor to the recent (and less effective) "Suffragette."

Jan 10, 2016 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

David N. Butterworth
rec.arts.movies.reviews
A stunning true story unfortunately tarted up for modern audiences, infused with modern informalities, fictional romances and wildly incongruous post-feminist empowerment pop.

Sep 7, 2004 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

Rob Blackwelder
SPLICEDWire

View All Critic Reviews (4)

Audience Reviews for Iron Jawed Angels

Dec 29, 2012

Although not-rated I would rate this "PG-13" as there is a nude butt scene, two bath scenes, and a middle finger so don't watch this with young children and only with adolescents if they are very mature and you're explaining things to them. This movie was extremely well-done, powerful, and motivational. After seeing the young activists for women's suffrage risked for my right to vote, I will never again throw away my vote thinking it doesn't count for much. I LOVED the costumes, music, and overall beautiful cinematography. The acting is superb.

Dannielle A Super Reviewer
Aug 07, 2009

Interesting, but its style is too muddy.

Tim S Super Reviewer
Apr 26, 2009

Strong, powerful story, it blew me away. I think it's a must see for everyone. I already know the answer to this question but why don't we learn about THIS in history class? I feel like I had no idea the depths of the struggles of the woman's suffrage movement until I saw this movie.

Megan S Super Reviewer
Jul 31, 2008

This is a really well-made film about the fight for suffrage in the U.S. with fine acting by a great cast, and nice direction to boot. The soundtrack iis anachronistic, but it works well, so I have no problem with it, even though it adds historical innacuracy. This was an HBO production, and it helps that it was too. I sadly have to admit that this film would have tanked had it been a big budget Hollywood affair. If you can track it down, watch it. This film captures important events that ALL Americans need to see and know about.

Chris W Super Reviewer