Newsies is a 1992 musical drama film directed by Kenny Ortega and written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White. It is based on the real-life newsboy strike of 1899 in New York City. The film stars Christian Bale, David Moscow, and Bill Pullman.
The film follows the lives of street-smart newsboys in New York City, who earn meager wages by selling newspapers on the streets. The newsies, led by Jack Kelly (Christian Bale), are outraged when Joseph Pulitzer (Robert Duvall), the owner of the New York World, raises the price of newspapers, cutting into their already meager profits. The newsies band together to fight back against Pulitzer's greed, forming a union and going on strike.
As the strike goes on, the newsies face police brutality, threats from scab workers, and even imprisonment. However, they are not deterred in their fight for fair wages and better working conditions. With the help of a reporter named Bryan Denton (Bill Pullman), the newsies take their struggle to the public, eventually forcing Pulitzer to negotiate and concede to their demands.
Throughout the movie, the viewers are treated to impressive musical numbers, choreographed by Ortega, with catchy songs written by Alan Menken and J.A.C. Redford. The film addresses themes of child labor, worker solidarity, and social justice, making it an inspiring tale of the underdog standing up against powerful interests.
Newsies was initially a box office flop, but it has since gained a cult following, spawning a successful Broadway musical adaptation and inspiring a new generation of activists. It is a heartwarming and entertaining movie that champions the power of the working-class to make a difference.