Newsies Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of singing and dancing kids yell about newspapers until capitalism crumbles, or something, then they all get to dance with the governor.

🍿 Newsies: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Newsies’ Struggle Begins

In 1899 New York City, Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy, dreams of escaping his harsh life and traveling to Santa Fe. He befriends two brothers, David and Les Jacobs, who start selling newspapers to support their family. They face exploitation from newspaper publishers like Joseph Pulitzer, who raise the distribution price of the newspapers, cutting into the newsies’ meager earnings.

Organizing the Strike

Outraged by the price increase, Jack, with the help of David, rallies the other newsboys to go on strike. They aim to unite all the newsies in New York City to fight against Pulitzer’s unfair practices. Bryan Denton, a reporter from ‘The New York Sun,’ takes an interest in their cause and becomes an ally, giving the newsies much-needed publicity.

Challenges and Setbacks

The strike faces numerous challenges, including violent clashes with strikebreakers and police. One of the newsies, Crutchy, is captured and sent to The Refuge, a corrupt juvenile detention center. Jack is also eventually arrested and threatened by Pulitzer, who attempts to break the newsies’ resolve.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jack Kelly (Christian Bale): The charismatic newsboy leader who dreams of escaping to Santa Fe but becomes the face of the strike.
• David Jacobs (David Moscow): The intelligent and strategic newsboy who acts as the brains behind the newsies’ strike.
• Les Jacobs (Luke Edwards): David’s younger brother and a new newsboy who quickly adapts to the street life and supports the strike.
• Joseph Pulitzer (Robert Duvall): The powerful and ruthless newspaper publisher who raises prices, sparking the newsboys’ strike.
• Bryan Denton (Bill Pullman): The sympathetic reporter who champions the newsies’ cause and provides crucial support.
• Spot Conlon (Gabriel Damon): The respected and influential leader of the Brooklyn newsies, who initially hesitates but ultimately joins the strike.
• Crutchy (Marty Belafsky): A disabled newsboy who is a loyal friend to Jack and is mistreated at The Refuge.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jack Kelly: “Headlines don’t sell papes, Newsies sell papes!” – Jack rallies the newsies to take pride in their work and understand their power.
• Jack Kelly: “We ain’t gonna be pushed around no more!” – A rallying cry that becomes the slogan for the newsies’ strike.
• Crutchie: “Dear Jack, I’s ain’t dead.” – Crutchie writes to Jack from The Refuge, reassuring him that he is still alive despite the harsh conditions.
• Medda Larkin: “You got a right to speak your mind. Don’t let nobody take it away from ya.” – Medda Larkin, a supportive theater owner, encourages Jack to fight for his beliefs.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $2,819,485
• Worldwide Gross: $2,819,485

💥 Newsies Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing Newsies as a kid and being absolutely captivated by the music and the dancing. The ‘Seize the Day’ sequence gave me chills even then, and it still does! The story is pretty simple, but the performances are so earnest and full of heart. It just makes you want to stand up and fight for something you believe in. Plus, young Christian Bale? Come on!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of musicals”
  • “Those interested in historical dramas”
  • “Viewers who enjoy stories about underdogs and social justice”
  • “Families looking for uplifting and inspiring content”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Themes of child labor and exploitation”
  • “Some instances of discriminatory language from the historical period”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Newsies boasts energetic dance numbers and appealing performances, but the story feels simplistic and the songs, while catchy, lack depth. It’s fun entertainment, but ultimately lacks staying power.
• The New York Times: “While the film’s narrative may not be groundbreaking, the sheer energy and enthusiasm of the cast, particularly Christian Bale, are infectious. The choreography is dynamic, and the film successfully captures the spirit of youthful rebellion.

Audience Reactions

The infectious energy of the musical numbers kept me hooked from beginning to end.: Most viewers agree the dance sequences are the highlight and make the movie very enjoyable.

Overall Consensus: Newsies is generally seen as a fun and energetic musical with strong performances, especially from Christian Bale, though some find the plot simplistic.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was initially a box office disappointment, but gained a cult following on home video and through repeated television airings.”
• “The choreography was heavily inspired by early 20th-century vaudeville and street dance styles.”
• “Several of the actors who played newsies went on to have successful careers in film and television.”

🖥️ How to Watch Newsies?

Newsies (1992) is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services like Disney+ or other on-demand platforms. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Newsies, you might like these similar films:

• Oliver! (1968): A classic musical with a similar theme of impoverished children standing up against injustice in a historical setting.
• Billy Elliot (2000): A coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of a miners’ strike, highlighting individual dreams and collective struggle.
• The Greatest Showman (2017): A more modern musical with big ensemble numbers and an underdog story, although lighter in tone.
• Annie (1982): Another family musical set in New York during the depression era, with a plucky protagonist overcoming adversity.

🛒 Newsies Related Products

• Newsies: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Relive the energy of Newsies with the original soundtrack featuring iconic songs like ‘Seize the Day’ and ‘Santa Fe.’ A must-have for any fan of the movie.
• Newsies Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original Newsies movie poster. Perfect for decorating your home theater or adding to your movie memorabilia collection.
• Newsies T-Shirt – Seize The Day: Show off your Newsies fandom with this stylish T-shirt featuring the iconic phrase ‘Seize the Day’. Made with high-quality materials for maximum comfort and durability.

🎧 Soundtrack

Newsies features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Seize the Day” – performed by Newsies Cast
• “Carrying the Banner” – performed by Newsies Cast
• “Santa Fe” – performed by Christian Bale

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Top 10 Things Newsies (1992) Got Factually Right & Wrong

Ever wondered how accurate Newsies actually is? MsMojo breaks down what the movie gets right and wrong about the historical newsboys’ strike. I was surprised by some of the inaccuracies!

A Sneak Peek at Alan Menken’s “Newsies”, the Musical

Did you know Newsies became a Broadway musical? Check out this sneak peek with Alan Menken and Jeremy Jordan, it’s fascinating to see how they adapted the movie for the stage. I think the stage version is better than the movie

When you learn about Starfinder

Newsies even makes it into memes! This short clip uses a scene from the movie to hilariously describe learning about Starfinder. It’s only a few seconds, but it’s pure gold and prove how Newsies still have a cult following

✨ Rate