Norma Rae
“The story of a woman with the courage to risk everything for what she believes is right.”
Synopsis
Norma Rae is a southern textile worker employed in a factory with intolerable working conditions. This concern about the situation gives her the gumption to be the key associate to a visiting labor union organizer. Together, they undertake the difficult, and possibly dangerous, struggle to unionize her factory.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Sally Field on the Ending in NORMA RAEOfficial
Type: Featurette • Published 2026-09-07
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →
Sally Field
Norma Rae
Ron Leibman
Reuben
Beau Bridges
Sonny
Pat Hingle
Vernon
Barbara Baxley
Leona
Gail Strickland
Bonnie Mae
Morgan Paull
Wayne Billings
Robert Broyles
Sam Bolen
John Calvin
Ellis Harper
Booth Colman
Dr. Watson
Lee de Broux
Lujan
James Luisi
George Benson
Vernon Weddle
Reverend Hubbard
Gilbert Green
Al Landon
Bob Minor
Lucius White
Grace Zabriskie
Linette Odum
Stuart Culpepper
Ray Towner
Mary Munday
Mrs. Johnson
Release History & Theatrical Window
Cannes Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
March 2, 1979
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$4.5M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$22.2M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
4.94x
+$17.7M net gain
Theatrical Status
Mega Hit
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Martin Ritt
- Screenplay & Story
- Irving Ravetch, Harriet Frank Jr.
- Original Score
- David Shire
- Original Title
- Norma Rae
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 50m
- Production Budget
- $4.5M
- Worldwide Gross
- $22.2M
- Production Studios
- 20th Century Fox, Martin Ritt Productions, Rose and Asseyev Productions
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Martin Ritt
Irving Ravetch, Harriet Frank Jr., Norman Gimbel
David Shire
John A. Alonzo
Sidney Levin
Tamara Asseyev, Alexandra Rose
Department Leadership Roster
Martin Ritt
Director
Irving Ravetch
Screenplay
Harriet Frank Jr.
Screenplay
Walter Scott Herndon
Production Design
Tamara Asseyev
Producer
Alexandra Rose
Producer
David Shire
Original Music Composer
John A. Alonzo
Director of Photography
Sidney Levin
Editor
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG: Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.
Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Norma Rae.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Norma Rae.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Norma Rae
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Norma Rae about?
Norma Rae is a southern textile worker employed in a factory with intolerable working conditions. This concern about the situation gives her the gumption to be the key associate to a visiting labor union organizer. Together, they undertake the difficult, and possibly dangerous, struggle to unionize her factory.
Who directed Norma Rae?
Norma Rae was directed by Martin Ritt.
Who stars in Norma Rae?
The principal cast of Norma Rae includes Sally Field, Ron Leibman, Beau Bridges, Pat Hingle, Barbara Baxley.
When was Norma Rae released and how long is it?
Norma Rae was released in 1979 with a total runtime of 1h 50m.
What was the box office and production budget of Norma Rae?
Norma Rae had a reported production budget of $4.5M and grossed $22.2M at the worldwide box office (4.94 return on budget, classified as a blockbuster success).
Who composed the musical score for Norma Rae?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Norma Rae was composed by David Shire.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Norma Rae?
Norma Rae holds official age classifications: DE: 12 (FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.); FR: TP; US: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.).