Ragtime is a 1981 motion picture based on the historical novel Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow. The action takes place in and around New York City in the 1900s, and includes fictionalized references to actual people and events of the time. The film was directed by Miloš Forman. The music was the first full feature score composed by Randy Newman. This was James Cagney's final feature film. He was ill during the shooting of the feature.

The story runs in the 1910's New York. Coalhouse Walker Jr. is a black man piano player. He has won fame and fortune playing with a jazz band. Some white men do not like this situation, and one day they assault him and spoil his brand new car. Walker tries by all means to get justice, without an answer... Written by Michel Rudoy