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Before Women Had Wings is a 1997 television film, based on the story by Connie May Fowler about a mother whose abusive husband commits suicide. She then starts to violently abuse her two daughters. It is only then that a kindly black woman becomes good friends with her youngest daughter and helps the daughter escape her tortured life. The film stars Ellen Barkin, Oprah Winfrey, Tina Majorino, and Julia Stiles. Barkin won an Emmy for her role.
Original Release
10/26/1997
US Release
11/02/1997
Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| Oprah Winfrey | Zora Williams |
| Ellen Barkin | Glory Marie Jackson |
| Tina Majorino | Avocet Abigail 'Bird' Jackson |
| Julia Stiles | Phoebe Jackson |
| John Savage | Billy Jackson |
| Burt Young | Louis Ippolito |
| William Lee Scott | Hank Jackson |
| Louis Crugnali | L.J. Ippolito |
| David Hart | Sheriff |
Directors
Writers
Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| Oprah Winfrey | Zora Williams |
| Ellen Barkin | Glory Marie Jackson |
| Tina Majorino | Avocet Abigail 'Bird' Jackson |
| Julia Stiles | Phoebe Jackson |
| John Savage | Billy Jackson |
| Burt Young | Louis Ippolito |
| William Lee Scott | Hank Jackson |
| Louis Crugnali | L.J. Ippolito |
| David Hart | Sheriff |
Producers
| Name | Role |
|---|
| Kate Forte | Executive Producer |
| Oprah Winfrey | Producer |
| Jay Benson | Producer |
Editors
| Year | Type | Category | Won |
|---|
| 1998 | Golden Globe | Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | Nominated |
| 1998 | Emmy | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie | Won |
