movie poster

Bread & Roses

1993

194 minutes

DramaWar

Overview

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.

Top Cast

Geneviève Picot headshot

Geneviève Picot

Sonja

Mick Rose headshot

Mick Rose

Charlie

Donna Akersten headshot

Donna Akersten

mrs. Mackersey

Raymond Hawthorne headshot

Raymond Hawthorne

Mr. Mackersey

Tina Regtien headshot

Tina Regtien

Con

Erik Thomson headshot

Erik Thomson

Red

Theresa Healey headshot

Theresa Healey

Peggy

Frances Kewene headshot

Frances Kewene

Maisie

Emily Perkins headshot

Emily Perkins

Joan

Larissa Matheson headshot

Larissa Matheson

Dot

Katherine McRae headshot

Katherine McRae

Syd

Janet Fisher headshot

Janet Fisher

Ruth Page

Jo Briant headshot

Jo Briant

Barbara

Ralph Johnson headshot

Ralph Johnson

Snr Det. Thompson

Katy Beasley headshot

Katy Beasley

T.B. Ward Sister

William Walker headshot

William Walker

Wally