Like the All in the family sitcom,and similar sitcoms of the early 70's,this movie was created, to viciously attack the racial bigotry,prejudice,and ignorance,that we all have inside us in certain degrees.Duke and Freeman Jr.,were both excellent in their roles - yet if I were the director of this movie, it would have been more intense,and the end different,instead of the painfully shocking,disappointing conclusion we all know of.There should have been a spin off TV series after this movie,like THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT.Sally Struthers,would have made a great replacement for Duke - and Denzel for Freeman.People just don't carry plots to maturity.This movie,left us with the rather embarrassing social thought in relating to people of other races back then," What now? Since we now see from how offensive and primitive these characters related to each other in this movie!"

I remember this from my Childhood here in England. Its a film that makes you cry at the end. I don't mind admitting it. I have searching for this film for 30 years (* The title of it) And it was only yesterday that a a person who uses this website helped me find the film's title.That person is - ladyboss1717 - (*That's her code name!!!). I wish to thank that person in helping me find a classic, classic movie that could easily be made into a blockbuster - (She helped me on the 1st Nov, 2005 - to find this film). Its got that "Green Mile, Captain Courageous and Shawshank Redemption" vibe about it. Its that good. Trust me! Basicially its about - A pregnant white Southern girl and a black New York lawyer, both on the run in rural Texas, meet up in a boarded-up, abandoned house and realize they both need each other in order to survive. THey eventually would you believe it fall in Love.You need to see the story to see what I mean about "Eventually fall in Love"...Its another tear jerkier!! If anyone who works in Hollywood. Please, please serioulsy consider re-making this film. But do it properly!! Treat with care!! This is a classic....Carl Brown - Ipswich, England

I first saw this movie 30 years ago, and it still remains as fresh and timely as when it was made. I have always been a Patty Duke fan, and even if you aren't you should check this out for the acting of both lead actors. A masterpiece!

Granted, I am biased in that I have been a long-time fan of Ms. Duke's, dating back to 1962. But I am objective enough in my observations as a student of film, and a video producer myself, to realize - and highly recommend - the excellence of this splendid television production, adapted from the novel by David Westheimer. The writing, acting, direction and production values are quite above-norm. Filmed entirely on location in Texas, the film captures the realistic flavor of the novel, which focused on the conflict naturally evolving between an uneducated, white, pregnant teenager and a black Northern attorney, drawn fatefully together by circumstances and differing forms of social prejuidice.The characters, as portrayed by Ms. Duke and Mr. Freeman, emerge as possibly one of the finest two-character studies ever produced for television. Ms. Duke won her first Emmy award (1970) for her exceptional work in this production. Producers Levinson & Link (who were then novices), also received an Emmy for their script, as did Ed Abroms for editing. Director Lamont Johnson was awarded the coveted DGA for Best TV Director. In total, the film received 8 Emmy nominations. This was not only a critically acclaimed production; CHARLIE received a 31.7 rating and 48 Nielsen share. It represents a "breakthrough" effort in the TV industry arena. Due to its unprecedented success, writers and producers were encouraged to develop other serious-subject, controversial projects for the networks, vs. Hollywood. CHARLIE laid the groundwork for other TV productions, like ROOTS, THE EXECUTION OF PRIVATE SLOVIK, and many more above-par TV productions, to occur.Although now 30+ years old, the film stands as an important work that honestly reflected our society's (still-existent) racial tensions and misunderstandings. It remains a brilliant hallmark in the evolution of better television fare.