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The Janes

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2:23

The Janes

2022

1h 41m

Documentary

History

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100%

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67 Reviews

68%

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50+ Ratings

In the spring of 1972, police raided an apartment on the South Side of Chicago. Seven women were arrested and charged. The accused were part of a clandestine network. Using code names, blindfolds, and safe houses to protect their identities and their work, they built an underground service for women seeking safe, affordable, illegal abortions. They called themselves Jane.

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Critics Consensus

Frighteningly timely and powerfully persuasive, The Janes offers a unique opportunity to look back at a pivotal chapter in American history through the eyes of those who helped define it.

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Judy Berman

TIME Magazine

Through individual interviews, a composite image forms of a society touched on every level by half its population’s lack of bodily autonomy.

Dec 14, 2022

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Doreen St. Felix

The New Yorker

You don’t watch The Janes for aesthetic pleasure. The palette is sober, and the filmmaking itself is recalcitrant, in service always of its tremendous story. But there is one moment I found indelible...

Dec 8, 2022

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Sophie Gilbert

The Atlantic

The lesson from The Janes is that, in the absence of justice and political power, there's enormous potential for collective action.

Jun 30, 2022

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Sarah Vincent

Cambridge Day

The film excels at conveying a chaotic era, enlisting archival footage and interviews with Jane members, medical providers and a reluctant, gentle-giant abortionist.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 16, 2023

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Sarah Boslaugh

TheArtsStl

Since many women in the United States are essentially living in a pre-Roe world these days, this film couldn’t be more timely...

Rated: 8/10

Jan 3, 2023

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Pat Mullen

POV Magazine

The Janes nevertheless assembles important voices to put an essential story on the record. Ignore any apparent hastiness in the delivery, for it’s too late to return to the way things were before.

Dec 14, 2022

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Garry A

To a degree, it was fascinating to see how this group helped women get abortions. It's also a slog at times but it's worth it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/01/25

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Vera A

This film gives us a look into the fearless women of our country and how, regardless of the roadblocks and restrictions, women have always been and always will be there for each other. In this masterminded plan to provide women with access to safe abortions, The Janes created history in their efforts to banding together and sparking activism.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/06/24

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Actress H

I'm baffled. I think this doc got such great reviews because the characters are so sympathetic and the issue is timely but damn is it boring. My wife and I fell asleep. What a slog. It's so formulaic.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An excellent documentary about a group of young women in the mid '60s who started helping women obtain safe abortions.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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Audience Member

So inspiring and educational. Sad to see they may need to be resurrected with a new generation.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

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Audience Member

The greatest 01 hour: and 41 minutes ever from a true story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

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Tia Lessin

Director

Emma Pildes

Director

Emma Pildes

Producer

Jessica Levin

Producer

Daniel Arcana

Producer

Susan Lacy

Executive Producer

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The Janes: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In the spring of 1972, police raided an apartment on the South Side of Chicago. Seven women were arrested and charged. The accused were part of a clandestine network. Using code names, blindfolds, and safe houses to protect their identities and their work, they built an underground service for women seeking safe, affordable, illegal abortions. They called themselves Jane.

Director: Tia Lessin, Emma Pildes
Producer: Emma Pildes, Jessica Levin, Daniel Arcana
Production Co: HBO Documentary Films, Pentimento Productions
Genre: Documentary, History
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 8, 2022
Runtime: 1h 41m

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