Cliff Robertson

Claire Bloom

Lilia Skala

Leon Janney

Ruth White

Dick Van Patten

Edward McNally

Barney Martin

William Dwyer

Dan Morgan

Marianna Case

Leon Collins

Harry Cooper

Frank Dolan

Randee Lynne Jensen

Ralph Nelson

Donald Warnock

John DeCuir

Charles Rosen

Rod Stephens

Vin Kehoe

Phil Naso

Shelley Bartolini

Jack Brown

Richard Kuhn

Tom Walker Jr.

Hazel Roy

Clem Portman

Henry Spitz

Jim Shields

Stirling Silliphant

Daniel Keyes

Arthur J. Ornitz

Fredric Steinkamp

Selig J. Seligman

Ravi Shankar

Drama

Romance

Science Fiction

Charly

ABC Pictures

Cinerama Releasing Corporation

United States of America

CinemaSerf

Cliff Robertson is at the top of his game as the eponymous character who has learning difficulties. He has been attending night classes under "Dr. Kilman" (Claire Bloom) for almost two years, determined to improve his reading and writing, and it is she who thinks it might be possible to get him onto a scientifically-backed course that could ultimately result in profoundly correctional surgery. He has to struggle and work hard - often trying to outfox a genetically altered mouse - to convince "Dr. Straus" (Lilia Skala) and "Dr. Nemur" (Leon Janney) that he is suitable - and that's whilst, meantime, holding down a job at a bakery where his colleagues are not averse to rather cruel and thoughtless practical jokes. Eventually, he prevails but is what emerges from the surgery really sustainable? This is one of those stories where the underlying morals seeking conformity and acceptance are merged with the promise of largely unfettered scientific advances that pay scant regard to any broader or future ramifications of their progress. It's a bit of a slow start, but an effective chemistry gradually develops between "Charly" and his doctor as the ethics start to kick in and we all begin to wonder if (or not) this engaging character is on the right path. It's quite thought provoking at times and the dialogue and direction provide a film that offers us choices - it's not just black and white judgement or analysis. Not always an easy film to watch, but worth it, I'd say.

English