Iron Jawed Angels- American Suffragettes

Every woman in the world should see Iron Jawed Angels. Heck, every man in the world should see this fabulous film, while sitting beside the women in their lives. Although this is the story of women in the United States of America fighting for their right to vote in the early years of the 20th Century there is a lesson for all of us in 2013 and beyond. We are ALL equal in this world. No matter your sex, your colour, your religion or sexuality. We are ALL equal. Full stop.

You will also never skip voting again, even in a minor municipal election EVER, EVER, again if you see this film. When you see how hard these women worked a century ago to win the right for us to vote, you will never squander that chance again. You will walk through the rain, in the dark for an hour to get to the polling station if you have to.

But beyond the amazing and empowering message, this is an awesome flick!!!! Hilary Swank plays Alice Paul, an American Quaker who traveled to England to attend the University of Birmingham and brought back the more militant ideas of the Pankhurst women but without the violence. She was a Quaker after all!

Frances O'Connor plays Lucy Burns (Alma Mater- Columbia, Vassar, Yale and Oxford) who met Alice Paul in a London police station after they had both been arrested for demonstrating alongside the British Suffragettes. They bonded immediately and decided to continue their fight for women's voting rights back in America in 1912.

Alice Paul and Lucy Burns start off working within the National American Women Suffrage Association (NAWSA) headed by Carrie Chapman Catt, played by Anjelica Huston. By 1916 they broke away and formed their own political party the National Women's Party (NWP) and organized a daily picket outside the White House during Woodrow Wilson's presidency.

A real Iron Jawed Angel demonstrating against President Wilson

They ran into trouble after the US joined WWI in 1917 and picketing a wartime president was considered by some to be treasonous, however the women were breaking no laws. They were arrested instead on charges of "obstructing traffic".

The real Lucy Burns incarcerated in Occoquan  Workhouse

While incarcerated at Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia, the women asked to be treated as political prisoners and went on hunger strikes in protest. I had previously read about the force feeding of women hunger striking suffragettes in England but when you see it on film it is horrific. Again, you will never take your right to vote lightly after seeing this film.

But this is not a downer movie. It has a rockin' modern musical score and sometimes feels more like a music video than a period drama. And this works to it's advantage. It could easily be shown in high schools to both boys and girls who will be riveted by the great story. German director Katja von Garnier (who is a dead ringer for Kate Middleton) did a fab job with this film. And the supporting cast of Julia Ormond, Laura Fraser (the blacksmith from Knight's Tale), Vera Farmiga and Patrick Dempsey are a few other good reasons to see it.

So what are you waiting for? Run, don't walk to see Iron Jawed Angels right now.

By the way, the best comment ever posted on my blog was left by Bridget on my post Suffragettes in Film- "Deeds, not words!" Bridget says it way better than I ever could!

Cheers!

A Knight's Tale 2001 with Heath Ledger

A Knight's Tale with Heath Ledger

Another one of my all-time favourites, A Knight's Tale was on television a few nights ago, and we just sort of fell into watching it. I have seen it so many times, I can watch the middle, the end or any part and enjoy whatever I have time for. My boys loved this one when they were young teens and used to watch it with their friends.The modern music in this gives it a wonderful energy-We Will Rock You!

A Knight's Tale cast promo photo

This medieval underdog tale is great for everyone of all ages. For the females, we have an adorable young Heath Ledger as the thatcher's son turned makeshift knight. We also have a naked Paul Bettany (carefully filmed of course) as Geoffrey Chaucer for those who like their men long and lean! For the men we have exotic looking Shannyn Sossamon as the noble lady Jocelyn whom William Thatcher/Ulrich von Liechtenstein tries to win. My guys all liked the feisty little blacksmith-lady Kate played by adorable Scotswoman Laura Fraser with her Nike swoosh and her amazing metallurgical know-how! And the kids just love the jousting and the comedy.

Rufus Sewell as Count Adhemar in A Knight's Tale

The rest of the supporting cast is brilliant too. Rufus Sewell always makes a great baddie!

Adhemar: You have been weighed, you have been measured, and you have been found wanting. In what world could you possibly beat me?

James Purefoy as The Black Prince in A Knight's Tale

James Purefoy is delicious in his small but wonderful role as The Black Prince, disguised as Sir Thomas Colville.

Prince Edward: Your men love you. If I knew nothing else about you, that would be enough.

Paul Bettany as Geoffrey Chaucer in A Knight's Tale

Chaucer:  My lords, my ladies, and everybody else here not sitting on a cushion!

Shannyn Sossaman and Heath Ledger in A Knight's Tale

William: Where will we live? In my hovel? With the pigs inside during the winter so they won't freeze?
Jocelyn: Yes, William. With the pigs.

Alan Tudyk as Wat in A Knight's Tale

Wat: We're the sons of peasants. Glory, and riches, and stars are beyond our grasps. But a full stomach, that dream can come true.

Modern dance scene from A Knight's Tale

Chaucer: And one and two and three and four and your hands should be light like a birdie on a branch. And one and two and three and four and Wat doesn't lead he follows like a girl.
[Wat punches him. Scene changes, and Chaucer now has a tissue stuck up one nostril]
Chaucer: And one and two and twirlie twirlie twirlie! And one and two and you're still getting it wrong! And one and two and three and four you can hit me all day cause you punch like a... what?
Roland: A girl!

Well, hopefully that gave you a laugh or at least you are smirking right now. So again, if you have never seen this one, rent it or better yet buy it (good extras on the DVD) and if you have seen it, you might want to dust this one off from your DVD collection!

P.S. Here is a deleted scene I found on YouTube with Olivia Williams as Chaucer's wife. Cute joke at the end of the scene with Wat and Kate!