Made in Dagenham by Rosie Libell

Rating – 4.5
‘Made in Dagenham’ is a tribute to the women who changed British society in the late 60s and 70s by fighting for equal pay. The film shows the incredible journey of the small group of machinists from the Ford factory in Dagenham that brought a major change for all women in the years to come.
The film boasts a great cast, including Sally Hawkins playing the main character Rita, and Bob Hoskins playing much-loved Albert, who helps in the women’s fight. The film was directed by Nigel Cole, who also directed ‘Calendar Girls’.
The film was inspiring, not just because it’s an issue close to every female’s heart, but also because it shows the sheer determination of the women to fight for what they believed in, which achieved major changes in not only British society, but across the world. The knock-on effect on their personal lives is shown, like the struggle of juggling married life and children with their commitment to the strike. We also see how the timid Rita, an ordinary seamstress, could build the confidence to lead the strike.
Because it is based on a true story, we get a real sense of the politics behind the issue of equal pay. It portrayed the hesitant Harold Wilson, who was the Labour Prime Minister at the time and Minister of Employment, Barbara Castle, who was an integral part of creating legislation for equal pay. The film also explores other issues like the problems with the Trade Unions, as well as showing that equal pay was an issue that every woman believed in, regardless of their class.
Despite the serious references, the film is kept light-hearted with its humour, particularly when the women are protesting in London with a banner that hasn’t been put up properly and reads “We want sex”, and hiding the final word ‘equality’!
It’s a brilliant film and I would recommend it to anyone!
Rosie Libell