Suffragette is a period-piece historical drama about the suffragette movement in Europe in which women fought for the civil  right to vote in Great Britain. The film is executive produced by Nik Bower (Selma), Rose Garnett (Black Swan), Cameron McCracken (Slumdog Millionaire), Teresa Moneo (Heaven), Tessa Ross (12 Years a Slave), and James Schamus (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). The film is directed by Sarah Gavron (Brick Lane).

The film focuses on the story of the feminist movement in Britain which worked towards the right for women to vote. The central protagonist is Maud Watts (Carey Mulligan), who is an everyday woman who decides to become involved in the suffragette movement, despite the negative response from her husband Sonny Watts (Ben Whishaw). She joins the fight for the right to vote. The film also focuses on other members of the suffragette movement, including Edith Ellyn (Helena Bonham Carter). The movement was led by Emmeline Pankhurst (Meryl Streep), who was at the forefront of the suffragette movement.

The film explores the way in which the suffragette movement happened in Britain. Women were not even allowed to meet and discuss the issue of voting at the time and had to form their own movement despite the British Parliament's attempts to stop women from standing up for their civil right to vote. Women weren't allowed into Parliament and men held all of the positions of power in the government.

Maud Watts (Carey Mulligan) is a poor factory worker who makes significantly less in her working wages than her male counterparts. She slowly becomes involved in the movement, deciding that she must stand up and fight for her right to vote. Inspector Arthur Steed (Brendan Gleeson) urges her to stop her involvement with the suffragette movement, but Maud becomes even more determined to fight for women's rights.

The film is an important historical period-piece drama which explores the struggles of women in Britain as they fought for their right to vote and to have a place in the government. The film also explores the way in which the suffragette movement began and how the movement protested in riots. Suffragette explores the battle women fought for their civil rights during this tumultuous time.

The music is composed by Alexandre Desplat (Birth, Coco Before Chanel, Moonrise Kingdom). The score for the film is absolutely beautiful throughout. Desplat is one of the best contemporary film composers. This is another excellent score from the composer and it adds a great deal to the filmmaking.

The cinematography by Eduard Grau (A Single Man) is astonishingly well-done. The film has a darker color palette and focuses more on the gray grimness of the times. The cinematography is bleak and grim in many respects. Grau's work is well suited for the story being told and greatly compliments the material.

The production design was by Alice Normington (Nowhere Boy). This is an impressive effort from the production team and the designer for the film. As a period-piece, the film strives for authenticity and this is felt in the production with strong design elements. With a effective costume design effort by Jane Petrie (Notting Hill), Suffragette also excels through costuming. Special effects utilized in the film were also surprisingly remarkable throughout.

The screenplay by Abi Morgan (The Iron Lady) is quite strong at developing the central story around Maud Watts while still successfully emphasizing the suffragette movement. The story told is an important one and one which is well written by Morgan. This is a strong effort that helps to tell this historically significant tale.

Directed by Sarah Gavron (Brick Lane), Suffragette also excels from a directorial standpoint. The filmmaking is well-paced and developed. The performances from the cast are excellent throughout. Carey Mulligan is particularly impressive as the central protagonist. The film succeeds as a creatively ambitious endeavor with a lot of skill implemented in production. Gavron is a strong filmmaker who carries the filmmaking triumphantly.

Suffragette is a superb drama which is well worth seeking out. With an excellent cast and strong filmmakers at the helm, Suffragette excels as a historical period-piece drama. This is a notable film which excels on a variety of levels: from the storytelling, to the performances, and to the strong direction. Suffragette is an important cinematic experience.

The Blu-ray:

Video:

Suffragette arrives on Blu-ray with a strong 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition presentation. The film is presented in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen. The film has a strong technical presentation with excellent color reproduction. Cinematography aids the filmmaking greatly and is well represented. The film is presented with excellent clarity and definition.

Audio:

Suffragette arrives on Blu-ray with a lossless 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio presentation. The film has a solid audio presentation on this release. Clarity is strong and dialogue reproduction is also excellent throughout. This is a solid audio presentation.

Extras:

This Combo Pack release includes a Digital HD UV Code.

Audio Commentary with Director Sarah Gavron and Screenwriter Abi Morgan.

Inside Suffragette (11 Min.) is a featurette on the making of the film. This featurette includes interviews with the cast and filmmakers about the film's production: from casting, to the screenplay, and to locations of filming (including at British Parliament).

Suffragette: Looking Forward, Looking Back (7 min.) explores the films historical context with interviews with the cast and filmmakers.

Making the Visual Effects for Suffragette (5 min.) focuses on the development of the visual effects utilized for the film.

Final Thoughts:

Suffragette is an excellent period-piece drama about the British suffragette movement: a early feminist movement which fought for women's rights to vote. The filmmaking is well done and features solid direction from Sarah Gavron. Carey Mulligan delivers an excellent performance in the lead role. The production is exquisite on many levels. Suffragette is a quality film which tells an important story.

Highly Recommended.

Neil Lumbard is a lifelong fan of cinema. He aspires to make movies and has written two screenplays on spec. He loves writing, and currently does in Texas.