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Charly (1968)

 -  Drama | Sci-Fi  -  23 September 1968 (USA)
7.1
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Ratings: 7.1/10 from 3,707 users  
Reviews: 52 user | 27 critic

A retarded man undergoes an experiment that gives him the intelligence of a genius.

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Writers:

(novel), (screenplay)
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Title: Charly (1968)

Charly (1968) on IMDb 7.1/10

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
...
...
...
Dr. Anna Straus
Leon Janney ...
Dr. Richard Nemur
...
Mrs. Apple
...
Bert (as Richard Van Patten)
Edward McNally ...
Gimpy (as Skipper McNally)
...
Hank
William Dwyer ...
Joey
Dan Morgan ...
Paddy
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Storyline

Charly is an adult male with a cognitive disability struggling to survive in the modern world. His frequent attempts at learning, reading, and writing prove difficult. His teacher, Miss Kinian, takes Charly to the clinic where he is observed by doctors who have Charly "race" a mouse, Algernon. Algernon is usually the winner thanks to an experiment that greatly raised his intelligence. This experiment is given to Charly, who at first does not seem affected. However, he becomes more logically advanced, eventually becoming a pure genius. Emotional and intra-personal consequences are involved when Charly learns the truth of the experiment, and struggles with whether or not the procedure was a good idea. Written by David Landers <dml@gwis.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

A love story that begins with an incredible experiment! See more »

Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

23 September 1968 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

The Two Worlds of Charly Gordon  »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

| (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Before Charly gains his intelligence, he writes left handed--when he becomes brilliant, he writes right-handed. See more »

Goofs

When Charley is talking to Mrs. Kinnian outside the building for his night class he is wearing a gold vest. When the camera cuts back to him after Mrs. Kinnian enters her car, he is wearing a blue vest. See more »

Quotes

Charly Gordon: Marry me, pretty girl, marry me.
Alice Kinnian: We will marry at... quarter past Wednesday on the 74th of November, and our anniversary will happily be... on those days where we both remember.
See more »

Connections

Featured in The 70th Annual Academy Awards (1998) See more »

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User Reviews

 
" Well how would you feel if you knew you were dumber than a mouse? "
29 January 2009 | by (USA) – See all my reviews

Perhaps it's wishful thinking, but there are many people who wish they could learn as much as anyone else. It's sad and downright tragic when you realize you're incapable of advancing common knowledge or higher education. Some are gifted, some are slow and some are just plain retarded and will never comprehend what is being taught. But what if there was a way? What if science could remedy what nature restricted in the human brain? That is the premise for the movie " Charly. " It tells the story of an adult retarded man named Charley Gordon (Cliff Robertson, 1968 Academy Award winner) who is mentally incapable of surmounting even simple challenges like spelling the word 'School.' Inside him is a deep desire to learn, but is mentally unable. That all changes when two brilliant scientists conceive of a medical procedure which can transform, first a mouse, then a human being into not only a educated individual, but a mental genius. Based on the novel "Flowers for Algernon" Cliff Robertson gives a brilliant and visually haunting performance of the retarded man who is suddenly transformed into a genius. Not only does he 'see' better than most, he's able to visualize what escapes even the most sophisticated in society. What he also sadly realizes is that 'increased intelligence equals loss of friends.' Beginning with the ability to learn and learn quickly, his advanced knowledge also unfortunately reveals his own future, a future he confronts the two doctors with. This is a must picture for anyone who'd like to see the man beat the mouse and yet have sympathy for both. A superb cast featuring Claire Bloom, Lilia Skala, Leon Janney and Dick Van Patten as Bert makes for a believable Classic movie. ****


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