
Ragtime
1981, Drama, 2h 35m
18 Reviews 2,500+ RatingsYou might also like

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Where to watch
Ragtime Photos
Movie Info
A kaleidoscope of tales from E.L. Doctorow's eponymous novel evokes life in pre-World War I New York City. A white family find a black baby in their yard and takes on the mother as a maid. A black pianist, Coalhouse Walker Jr. (Howard E. Rollins Jr.), returns for his woman and child after finding success in a Harlem jazz band. Firefighters, dismayed to see a black man own a Model-T Ford, deface it, and Walker demands retribution. The white family becomes involved in Evelyn Nesbit's trial.
Cast & Crew
James Cagney
Police Commissioner Rhinelander Waldo
Police Commissioner Rhinelander Waldo
Howard E. Rollins Jr.
Coalhouse Walker Jr.
Coalhouse Walker Jr.
Elizabeth McGovern
Evelyn Nesbit
Evelyn Nesbit
Brad Dourif
Younger Brother
Younger Brother
Moses Gunn
Booker T. Washington
Booker T. Washington
Kenneth McMillan
Willie Conklin
Willie Conklin
Critic Reviews for Ragtime
Audience Reviews for Ragtime
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Apr 18, 2018Doctorow's novel is a tricky thing to adapt, especially with its deliberately elusive ideas about America. Inevitably a lot of materiel was cut or truncated in this movie but there is a lot to admire in Forman's vision here. His focus on the characters inspires a lot of empathy, more than usual in these kinds of period pieces.Alec B Super Reviewer
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Jan 02, 2008It drags here and there but mostly a fine epic filmjay n Super Reviewer
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