1. Main Characters

• Alice Paul (played by Hilary Swank): A central figure in the suffrage movement, known for her courage and leadership in organizing protests.

• Lucy Burns (played by Frances O'Connor): Alice Paul's close friend and ally who helped organize the protests.

• Carrie Chapman Catt (played by Angelica Huston): A more traditional suffragist who focuses on lobbying and working with political leaders.

• Inez Milholland (played by Laura Fraser): A prominent suffragist who leads parades and advocates for women's rights.

2. Plot and Events

• The Suffrage Movement: The movie centers on the struggle of women in the U.S. to gain the right to vote. It shows the suffragists fighting against both public and governmental resistance.

• The 1917 Silent Protest: Alice Paul and Lucy Burns organize a picket outside the White House, calling attention to the U.S. government's refusal to grant women the right to vote. It’s one of the first times in history women are protesting directly in front of the White House.

• Arrests and Hunger Strikes: Many of the suffragists are arrested for their protests, and they begin hunger strikes to protest their treatment in prison. The movie shows the physical and emotional toll this takes on the women.

• The 19th Amendment: Eventually, the persistent activism of Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, and others helps secure the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote in 1920.

3. Key Themes

• Women’s Rights and Equality: The movie explores the idea of gender equality and how women fought for their right to be heard in a male-dominated society.

• Activism and Sacrifice: It highlights the sacrifices made by suffragists who were willing to endure physical and emotional suffering for the cause.

• Conflict within the Movement: The film shows tensions between different suffrage leaders, like Alice Paul and Carrie Chapman Catt, over strategy. While Alice Paul is more radical, Catt believes in working within the system to achieve change.

4. Important Moments

• The “Hunger Strikes” are a pivotal moment in the movie when the suffragists use their bodies to protest the injustice they face.

• The “March for Women’s Suffrage” is also a major turning point, where the suffragists publicly demand their rights, even though it’s met with violence and harassment.

5. Famous Quotes

• Alice Paul: "We shall not be denied."

• Lucy Burns: "We are fighting for our country, and we have every right to be heard."

6. How It Relates to the 19th Amendment

The movie shows how, after years of protests, lobbying, and public outcry, the suffragists finally achieved their goal: the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.