Ragtime (1981)

VHS CASE/SIDE

Rated: AA (PG)   

Length of film: 158 Minutes (Extended: 174 Minutes) 

Genre: Drama

Director: Milos Forman

Starring: James Cagney, Elizabeth McCovern, Howard E. Rollins Jr., Brad Dourif, Moses Gunn, Kenneth McMillan, Mandy Patinkin, James Olson

IMDB Rank: 7.3/10

Part 1 Time:  101 Minutes (Extended: N/A Minutes) 

Part 2 Time:   57 Minutes (Extended: N/A Minutes) 

***The VHS version is somewhat of a useless break as tape one ends at the 131 minute, when Father (James Olson) enters the Pierpont Morgan Library. As a result the second tape runs for 25 minutes. The suggested intermission point is a much more natural break.

Where does the first part end? The Coalhouse gang takes over the Pierpont Morgan Library. They shoot explosives on the street to get the attention of the New Rochelle law enforcement.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Stay back, stay back I say!” Coalhouse Walker Jr (Howard E. Rollins Jr.), shouts as he then proceeds to shoot the explosives.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “Yes, give him that whack! Try, Evelyn” Tateh (Mandy Patinkin) directs a scene on a beach near Atlantic City.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Jarring, the Coalhouse gang continues to seek retaliation for Sarah’s death. The taking over of the Pierpont Morgan Library seems to be their final recourse. Will the Coalhouse gang be able to seek the justice they have demanded?

Which part is better?The film centers around three interwoven stories that explore racial tensions, violence, and nostalgic events in early 1900’s New York City. Part one shows the growing racial tensions within New York City as well as the Trail of Harry Thaw dubbed the ‘Trail of the Century.’ Part two primarily focuses on the Coalhouse gang’s takeover of the Pierpont Morgan Library. Part two is given the edge as we get to see the entirety of the Pierpont Morgan Library hostile takeover as well as the final acting role of acting legend James Cagney.

Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor (Nominated- Howard E. Rollins Jr.) Best Supporting Actress (Nominated- Elizabeth McGovern), Best Writing- Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Nominated), Best Cinematography (Nominated), Best Art Direction- Set Decoration (Nominated), Best Costume Design (Nominated), Best Music-Original Song (Nominated- ‘One More Hour’), Best Music- Original Score (Nominated)