'Norma Rae' trivia and fun facts

Inspiring movie

Ranked #16 on the American Film Institute's 100 Most Inspiring Movies of All Time.

Other options

Marsha Mason, Jane Fonda, Faye Dunaway, and Jill Clayburgh were considered for the title role.

Crystal unhappy

Crystal Lee Sutton was not happy with the film, and felt that it should've been a docudrama.

Based on true events

The film is based on a real-life union organizing campaign at North Carolina, and Norma Rae is based on Crystal Lee Sutton.

Broken rib

When Norma Rae struggles not to be put into the police car, Sally Field struggled so hard that she broke the rib of an actor playing one of the policemen.