Ragtime

Ragtime is set in New York City in the early 1900s and follows several strands of life in a changing, multiracial America. In New Rochelle, a well-off white family discovers a black infant abandoned in their garden and, despite the father's objections, the mother takes the child in. The baby's mother, Sarah, is pursued by Coalhouse Walker, a black ragtime pianist determined to win her back and to claim the justice he is owed. Around them unfold real events of the period, including the killing of the architect Stanford White by the millionaire Harry K. Thaw over the dancer Evelyn Nesbit. Miloš Forman directed the film, which came after Hair in his filmography and before Amadeus. The screenplay is by Michael Weller, produced by Dino De Laurentiis, and the large credited cast includes James Cagney, Brad Dourif, Moses Gunn, Elizabeth McGovern, Kenneth McMillan and Pat O'Brien.

Released in November 1981, the film runs 155 minutes and was a modest performer, taking about 11 million dollars worldwide against a large production. On IMDb it holds 7.3 out of 10 from roughly 12,000 votes, and on TMDB it has 7 out of 10 from around 200 votes, while a critics' rating of 7.6 out of 10 from 20 reviews places it slightly above the audience scores on IMDb.