Bread & Roses

Bread & Roses

194 mins | Drama, War | July 18, 1993

Based upon the life of activist and trade unionist (and later MP) Sonja Davies. The film covers her life up to 1956, when, at age 33, she was elected to the Nelson Hospital Board. During this period she develops strong socialist beliefs, marries and divorces, at age 17 trains as a nurse, has a romance (and a child) with an American marine who is killed in WWII action. She battles tuberculosis and marries a former boyfriend when he returns from the war. She becomes part of a women's ill-fated campaign to save the Nelson railway line from closure and begins to be elected to political bodies.

Bread & Roses

194 mins | Drama, War | July 18, 1993

Bread & Roses
Based upon the life of activist and trade unionist (and later MP) Sonja Davies. The film covers her life up to 1956, when, at age 33, she was elected to the Nelson Hospital Board. During this period she develops strong socialist beliefs, marries and divorces, at age 17 trains as a nurse, has a romance (and a child) with an American marine who is killed in WWII action. She battles tuberculosis and marries a former boyfriend when he returns from the war. She becomes part of a women's ill-fated campaign to save the Nelson railway line from closure and begins to be elected to political bodies.
Producers New Zealand Film Commission, Preston Laing
Original title Bread & Roses
Directors Gaylene Preston
Writers Graeme Tetley

Cast

Mick Rose

as Charlie

Donna Akersten

as mrs. Mackersey

Raymond Hawthorne

as Mr. Mackersey

Tina Regtien

as Con

Erik Thomson

as Red

Theresa Healey

as Peggy

Frances Kewene

as Maisie

Emily Perkins

as Joan

William Walker

as Wally

Janet Fisher

as Ruth Page

Jo Briant

as Barbara

Ralph Johnson

as Snr Det. Thompson

Katy Beasley

as T.B. Ward Sister