Ragtime (1981): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Ragtime is a 1981 drama directed by Milos Forman, starring Howard E. Rollins Jr., Elizabeth McGovern and James Cagney. It is based on Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow. It runs 2 hours 35 minutes and earned $14.9 million worldwide. It was nominated for 8 Oscars. Critics gave it 57 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 35m (155 min)
- Director
- Milos Forman
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Paramount Pictures
- Based on
- Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Ragtime About?
The premise of Ragtime without spoilers, adapted from Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing America, between 1902 and the years following World War I, the lives of a wealthy suburban family, a struggling black musician, and a Latvian immigrant intertwine. Each family confronts challenges rooted in class, race, and the pursuit of the American dream. Their individual stories reveal the profound social and racial tensions shaping the nation during a transformative era.
Ragtime Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- racial injustice
- racial slur
- period drama
- female pubic hair
- the morgan library & museum new york city
- silent movie accompanist
- unfaithful wife
- newsreel footage
- ragtime music
- abandoned baby
- stanford white character
- artist's model
+38 more Show fewer
- police commissioner
- film director
- female full frontal nudity
- volunteer fire department
- model t
- volunteer fireman
- white man black man friendship
- escape
- crime of passion
- honor killing
- husband wife estrangement
- female subjugation
- son born out of wedlock
- feigned insanity
- jewish family
- madison square garden manhattan new york city
- death of fiancee
- perjured testimony
- bribe
- dying horse
- wife caught having sex
- bomb maker
- art museum
- nude female statue
- jazz pianist
- father daughter relationship
- police violence
- president of the united states
- philadelphia pennsylvania
- silhouette act
- street life
- murder trial
- racial harassment
- vice president of the united states
- police beating
- wedding dress
- pre world war one
- racial epithet
Where to Watch Ragtime
Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
Ragtime Cast
Howard E. Rollins Jr. leads the cast, with Elizabeth McGovern and James Cagney. Directed by Milos Forman.
-
Director Milos Forman
Ragtime Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Ragtime 57 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.
-
IMDb 7.3 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 57 Metascore
User score 5.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 70% User score
See on TMDB
Ragtime Plot Summary
What happens in Ragtime from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film unfolds with a captivating newsreel montage, showcasing iconic figures from the early 20th century, including Harry Houdini, Theodore Roosevelt, and the architect Stanford White (played by Norman Mailer). ** (Howard E. ) at the piano. The narrative kicks off when wealthy industrialist Harry Kendall Thaw ([Robert Joy]) causes a stir at the unveiling ceremony for White’s latest creation, a nude statue featuring Evelyn Nesbit ([Elizabeth McGovern]), his wife and a former chorus girl. Fueled by his conviction that White has dishonored and manipulated Evelyn, Thaw confronts the architect on the evening of June 25, 1906, culminating in a public shooting at Madison Square Garden that leaves White dead before numerous spectators. In a shocking turn, Thaw does not flee but instead willingly turns himself in to law enforcement.
Full summary
The whole story of Ragtime, scene by scene
Ragtime Box Office
Ragtime grossed $14.9 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$14.9M
- US & Canada
- $14.9M
Ragtime Awards & Nominations
Ragtime was nominated for 8 Oscars. The 14 nominations come from 3 ceremonies, the most at the Oscars 1982.
14 nominations3 ceremonies
-
BAFTA 1983 1 nomination- Nominated Best Original Song
-
Oscars 1982 8 nominations- Nominated Actor in a Supporting Role – Howard E. Rollins Jr.
- Nominated Actress in a Supporting Role – Elizabeth McGovern
- Nominated Art Direction
- Nominated Cinematography
- Nominated Costume Design
-
Golden Globes 1982 5 nominations- Nominated Best Director – Milos Forman
- Nominated Best Motion Picture – Drama
- Nominated Best Original Song – Randy Newman
- Nominated Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Comedy or Musical (Supporting Actor) – Howard E. Rollins Jr.
- Nominated Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Comedy or Musical (Supporting Actress) – Mary Steenburgen
Ragtime Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Ragtime.
How Well Do You Know Ragtime?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the author of the book that Ragtime is based on?
Cars in Ragtime
4 cars on screen, including the 1915 Ford Model T and the unknown.
-
1915 Ford Model T Main role -
unknown Important role -
1915 Stanley Model 820 Minor role -
1908 Humber 10 hp Background role
Ragtime Also Known As
8 alternative titles, including “Ραγκτάιμ” and “Регтайм”.
- Also known as
-
- Ραγκτάιμ
- Регтайм
- 爵士年代
- Рагтайм
- Na Época do Ragtime
- 래그타임
- Regtaimas
- Ragtime - toivon ja vihan aika
Seen Ragtime?
Movies Like Ragtime
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Ragtime Band, Alexander’s Ragtime Band and The Rag Man.
Ragtime FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and the book behind it of Ragtime, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Ragtime?
Ragtime runs 2 hours 35 minutes (155 minutes).
When was Ragtime released?
Ragtime was released on November 20, 1981.
Who directed Ragtime?
Ragtime was directed by Milos Forman.
More films by Milos Forman Who is in the cast of Ragtime?
Ragtime stars Howard E. Rollins Jr., Elizabeth McGovern and James Cagney.
Where can I watch Ragtime?
In the US, Ragtime is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Ragtime make at the box office?
Ragtime grossed $14.9 million worldwide.
How is Ragtime rated?
Ragtime has 7.3/10 on IMDb, 57 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.
Is Ragtime based on a book?
Yes. Ragtime is adapted from Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow.
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