Made in Dagenham 2010

As the curtain rises on this cinematic tale, we’re transported to the iconic Ford Dagenham factory, where the hum of machinery and the whir of sewing machines provide a pulsing backdrop for our story. Amidst the hustle and bustle, a subtle yet poignant commentary emerges: amidst the sea of male laborers, a mere fraction are women, their presence a testament to the unassuming strength and resilience that lies just beneath the surface.

Against the soulful strains of Desmond Dekker’s “The Israelites”, we’re introduced to the humble sewing room where the women workers meticulously stitch together seat covers and door panels on individual machines. Amidst the heat and toil, many of these women shed their garments, revealing the unassuming undergarments that belie their inner fortitude.

Meanwhile, union stalwart Albert (Bob Hoskins) strides into the fray, his eyes shielded in mock embarrassment from the half-undressed feminine form. He presents a stark choice: either accept the status quo or take a bold stand against being regarded as unskilled laborers. The women respond with an overwhelming show of solidarity, pledging to enforce an overtime ban and one-day strike.

As the workers’ spirits soar, we’re treated to a glimpse into their personal lives. At a raucous birthday bash, a young woman’s escapades behind the wheel of a sleek Ford Corsair momentarily steal the spotlight. The celebration segues seamlessly into a raucous nightcap, replete with laughter, revelry, and reckless abandon.

Morning light brings us to Rita’s humble abode, where she plays peacemaker for her family’s morning routine. A gentle splash of cold water awakens her slumbering husband Eddie, while her son confides in her about a brush with the teacher, Mr. Clark (in full academic regalia). Rita’s ire is piqued by the educator’s condescending tone, and she resolves to right this wrong.

A chance encounter at the school gates introduces Rita to Lisa, whose words of empathy are met with an explosive outburst from the already incensed factory worker. Back at the Ford Dagenham factory, a leaky roof serves as a potent reminder that even in the midst of turmoil, the women’s collective strength remains unbroken.

As the stakes escalate, Albert appears once more, bearing news of an imminent meeting at Ford HQ in Warley. The fate of the workers hangs precariously in the balance as two stalwarts are selected to represent their peers: Connie, the tenacious shop steward, and Rita herself.

As the family gathered around the black and white television at home, a news bulletin about the Red Lion Square demo against the Vietnam War broke into their evening routine. Sooty, with Harry H. Corbett, provided a brief respite from the seriousness of the news. Meanwhile, Eddie’s dual role as a factory worker and a Fords employee was revealed. The evening took an unexpected turn when Rita, Albert, and others decided to attend a meeting at the Berni Inn, where they met Monty Taylor, the stereotypical union representative. His instructions were clear: say nothing and nod enthusiastically.

As they arrived at the factory, it became apparent that the union’s intentions were far from altruistic. The women, including Rita, quickly sensed that their interests were being sacrificed for the benefit of others. Rita took matters into her own hands by explaining to management the skills involved in their work, ultimately presenting a case for semi-skilled status and averting industrial action.

In the midst of these events, a prominent figure emerged on the parliamentary stage: Barbara Castle, Employment Secretary under the Labour Government. Her concerns about the state of industrial relations were palpable – strikes were on the rise, while productivity was in decline. Meanwhile, back at the factory, the women’s picket line was taking shape, complete with placards and a sense of determination.

As tensions mounted, the situation became increasingly precarious. Ford HQ in Michigan, USA, was implicated, with the women being blamed for the troubles. On the picket line, the rain poured down, leaving the women drenched but undeterred. Their smart attire, consisting only of skirts – no jeans in sight – a testament to their commitment.

Following this ordeal, Rita met Albert at a local café, where he revealed that the real issue wasn’t skills or expertise, but rather equal pay for the women. Albert shared his own personal experiences, brought up by his mother who struggled to make ends meet due to the wage disparity between men and women. Someone had to put an end to this exploitation, and Albert proposed that Rita take on the role of shop steward from Connie, whose husband was ill.

Outside, Rita, soaked to the bone, received a ride in a car where she ran into the same woman she had met at school. This woman revealed that Mr. Clark, their former teacher, was a bully who used his cane with impunity. The woman’s dress, a stunning piece from Biba, caught Rita’s eye, but her admiration was tempered by her own more modest attire.

As Sandra saunters back into the factory, clad in sizzling hot pants, the atmosphere remains charged with tension. A stern-faced official arrives, bearing ominous letters from management, prompting Rita’s impassioned speech about the need for a level playing field. The strike has evolved from a dispute over skill levels to a battle cry for equal pay and fair treatment. Albert, flanked by Monty and the other union leaders, finds common ground with his comrades through their shared understanding of Marxist ideals. Against the soulful backdrop of the Small Faces’ iconic tunes, Rita takes center stage, rallying the workers in a defiant demonstration that echoes through the factory halls. Meanwhile, at home, Eddie’s struggles to cope with the mounting pressure are evident in his frazzled demeanor.

Rita’s next move takes her to Liverpool, where she connects with the workers at Ford’s Halewood factory, only to return late and find Eddie grappling with domestic duties. The following day, as Eddie shoulders the responsibility of taking their children to school, the air is thick with tension between him and Rita. His situation has become increasingly desperate, with his last clean shirt hanging by a thread.

The women take to the streets, marching on London to make their voices heard outside Parliament. With banners unfurled, they proclaim their demands for sex equality, only to be met with sympathetic nods from Barbara Castle herself. Back at the local pub, Eddie and George absorb the news bulletins, with Connie’s husband offering his two cents: a call for compromise.

Inside the factory, the seats run out, prompting production lines to come to a grinding halt and mass layoffs to ensue. At home, Eddie laments Rita’s actions, claiming they’re causing hardship all around. Meanwhile, Ford of America is breathing down the necks of Dagenham management, urging them to find a solution.

Barbara Castle finds herself in a high-stakes game of diplomatic chess as she navigates the complexities of industrial relations with Harold Wilson himself. Patronizing words and condescending smiles notwithstanding, she persists, advocating for a collaborative approach that would bring all parties to the table. Little does she know that Ford bosses from across the pond are soon to arrive, bearing their own brand of American know-how.

As Peter Hopkins’ home becomes a hub of activity, it’s Lisa – the enigmatic woman who shared her concerns about the school teacher with Rita – who holds court as his wife. A highly educated and articulate individual, she offers insights gleaned from General Motors’ collaborative approach to industrial relations, leaving Peter both embarrassed and sheepish. Her words are drowned out by the sound of clinking glasses as she fetches more cheese for her husband’s indulgence.

As Rita dispenses strike pay in modest increments of £3 each, her thoughts are elsewhere, occupied by a growing sense of frustration and injustice. A visit from Connie yields little consolation, as the news that George is bedridden with illness serves only to underscore the gravity of their situation. The camera pans to a private moment between George and Connie, where the weight of his condition is laid bare in a haunting display of vulnerability.

Meanwhile, the union leaders are stoking the flames of tension by threatening Monty with recrimination should he dare to advocate for equal pay for women. Back at home, Rita’s family is struggling to make ends meet, their fridge repossessed as a direct consequence of their failure to keep up with the payments on the household goods.

Sandra’s sudden departure from the factory, prompted by a mysterious phone call and an impromptu photo shoot for a new car model, serves only to further heighten Rita’s sense of disquiet. It is not until Rita catches up with Sandra, urging her to capitalize on her natural charm and eschew the strike in favor of a life as a high-fashion model, that Sandra begins to question her commitment to the cause.

As tensions continue to simmer just below the surface, Connie leaves for work, only to receive words of encouragement from her ailing husband before departing. At the same time, Barbara Castle is receiving assurances from her officials that the union’s rank-and-file members will remain loyal and obedient, unaware of the storm clouds gathering on the horizon.

The day of reckoning arrives when Albert, Rita, and Connie are summoned to a meeting with the union bosses, where they are informed that a vote will be held at the upcoming conference on whether or not to support the women’s cause. The gravity of this decision hangs in the balance as Connie returns home to find George’s lifeless body, his tragic fate serving only to further galvanize her and her fellow strikers.

At the funeral, the grief-stricken Connie is joined by Rita and the other women, their collective sorrow tempered only slightly by a sense of solidarity. Later that evening, Lisa Hopkins pays a visit to Rita at her flat, bearing the news that Mr. Clark has been asked to leave the school due to his egregious treatment of Peter’s wife.

As tensions reach a boiling point, Rita and Eddie engage in a heated confrontation, their differences starkly illuminated by the harsh light of reality. “I haven’t been a bad husband,” Eddie protests, only to be dismissed by Rita with a forceful reminder that she is not seeking privileges, but rather the rights that have long been denied her.

As they board the coach bound for Eastbourne, Eddie trails behind on his motorcycle, his motivations unclear. In the conference hall, Monty takes the stage, only to be interrupted by Rita and the other women, who seize the moment to make their case to the assembled delegates. As Eddie arrives on the scene, seeking forgiveness, Rita is forced to confront the complexities of her own emotions.

In a stunning turnabout, Rita’s impassioned address seems to win over the hearts and minds of the delegates, paving the way for a landslide vote in favor of the women’s cause. As the outcome becomes clear, Eddie and Rita find a measure of reconciliation, their differences momentarily set aside as they share in the triumph of the strike. The final tally: 79-48, a resounding affirmation of the power of solidarity in the face of adversity.

As Barbara Castle (Character) firmly asserts her authority, demanding compliance with her instructions, her officials are met with a stern rebuke. Her unyielding resolve prompts a confrontation, as she insists that her orders be carried out. Meanwhile, behind-the-scenes machinations begin to unfold, as Ford bosses discreetly exert pressure on Harold Wilson, the Prime Minister. Wilson, ever cautious, advises against antagonizing the powerful automaker, recognizing their significant economic influence.

Rita’s personal life intersects with her activist endeavors when she meets Lisa, her husband, who is astonished by their familiarity, reflecting the close bond forged through shared struggles. In a symbolic gesture of solidarity, Rita borrows Lisa’s iconic Biba dress for an upcoming meeting with Barbara Castle, thereby embodying the unity and determination that defines this female-led movement.

As the women prepare to make their case before the government offices, they stage a press conference outside, where they are peppered with probing questions from the media. Rita’s retort - “We’re women! Don’t ask such stupid questions!” - encapsulates their defiance and conviction in the face of adversity.

The stakes escalate as Robert Tooley, Ford’s CEO, threatens Barbara Castle, warning that concessions to equal pay demands will prompt the company to relocate its factories abroad. Undeterred, the women secure a meeting with her, winning over her support and securing a crucial breakthrough. Direct negotiations ensue between Castle and Tooley, yielding a landmark agreement: 92% of male pay rates for the workers, coupled with the introduction of equal pay legislation in Parliament.

As this hard-won victory is celebrated, Barbara Castle praises Rita’s Biba dress, prompting an explanation that it must be returned by day’s end. In turn, Rita compliments Castle on her C&A outfit, marking a poignant moment of mutual respect and admiration.

The cinematic montage concludes with the sounds of Jimmy Cliff’s “You Can Get It If You Really Want” accompanying the workers’ jubilant return to their factory, followed by a historical context provided through archival news footage featuring the real-life figures who inspired this story.