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The Janes

Play trailer 2:23 Poster for The Janes 2022 1h 41m Documentary History Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 67 Reviews 68% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
In the spring of 1972, police raided an apartment on the South Side of Chicago. Seven women were arrested and charged. The accused were part of a clandestine network. Using code names, blindfolds, and safe houses to protect their identities and their work, they built an underground service for women seeking safe, affordable, illegal abortions. They called themselves Jane.
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The Janes

The Janes

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Critics Consensus

Frighteningly timely and powerfully persuasive, The Janes offers a unique opportunity to look back at a pivotal chapter in American history through the eyes of those who helped define it.

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Critics Reviews

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Judy Berman TIME Magazine Dec 14, 2022
Through individual interviews, a composite image forms of a society touched on every level by half its population’s lack of bodily autonomy. Go to Full Review Doreen St. Felix The New Yorker Dec 8, 2022
You don’t watch The Janes for aesthetic pleasure. The palette is sober, and the filmmaking itself is recalcitrant, in service always of its tremendous story. But there is one moment I found indelible... Go to Full Review Sophie Gilbert The Atlantic Jun 30, 2022
The lesson from The Janes is that, in the absence of justice and political power, there's enormous potential for collective action. Go to Full Review Sarah Vincent Cambridge Day Aug 16, 2023
3/4
The film excels at conveying a chaotic era, enlisting archival footage and interviews with Jane members, medical providers and a reluctant, gentle-giant abortionist. Go to Full Review Sarah Boslaugh TheArtsStl Jan 3, 2023
8/10
Since many women in the United States are essentially living in a pre-Roe world these days, this film couldn’t be more timely... Go to Full Review Pat Mullen POV Magazine Dec 14, 2022
The Janes nevertheless assembles important voices to put an essential story on the record. Ignore any apparent hastiness in the delivery, for it’s too late to return to the way things were before. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Garry A @heavyg May 1, 2025 To a degree, it was fascinating to see how this group helped women get abortions. It's also a slog at times but it's worth it. See more Vera A @RT25724972 Dec 6, 2024 This film gives us a look into the fearless women of our country and how, regardless of the roadblocks and restrictions, women have always been and always will be there for each other. In this masterminded plan to provide women with access to safe abortions, The Janes created history in their efforts to banding together and sparking activism. See more Jul 31, 2022 An excellent documentary about a group of young women in the mid '60s who started helping women obtain safe abortions. See more Jul 8, 2022 So inspiring and educational. Sad to see they may need to be resurrected with a new generation. See more Jul 2, 2022 The greatest 01 hour: and 41 minutes ever from a true story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Jul 2, 2022 It was horrible thoughi it might be ok but man, it s+cked bad See more Read all reviews
The Janes

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Cast & Crew

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Tia Lessin

Director

Emma Pildes

Director

Emma Pildes

Producer

Jessica Levin

Producer

Daniel Arcana

Producer

Susan Lacy

Executive Producer

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The Janes

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The Janes

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Movie Info

Synopsis In the spring of 1972, police raided an apartment on the South Side of Chicago. Seven women were arrested and charged. The accused were part of a clandestine network. Using code names, blindfolds, and safe houses to protect their identities and their work, they built an underground service for women seeking safe, affordable, illegal abortions. They called themselves Jane.
Director
Tia Lessin, Emma Pildes
Producer
Emma Pildes, Jessica Levin, Daniel Arcana
Production Co
HBO Documentary Films, Pentimento Productions
Genre
Documentary, History
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 8, 2022
Runtime
1h 41m
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