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| The Cay | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Adventure |
| Based on | The Cay by Theodore Taylor |
| Teleplay by | Russell Thacher |
| Directed by | Patrick Garland |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Carl Davis |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Frank O'Connor |
| Producers |
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| Cinematography |
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| Editor | Douglas Stewart |
| Running time | 50 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | October 21, 1974 (1974-10-21) |
The Cay is a 1974 American adventure television film directed by Patrick Garland and written by Russell Thacher, based on the 1969 novel by Theodore Taylor. It stars James Earl Jones, Alfred Lutter, and Gretchen Corbett, and premiered on NBC on October 21, 1974.
Plot
A young boy named Phillip is aboard the S.S. Hato when it is torpedoed during World War II. It soon sinks and Phillip awakens on a raft with Timothy, an older black man, and Stew Cat, a stray cat belonging to a crew member on the Hato. Phillip soon becomes blind from a head injury he suffered during the torpedoing. After days at sea, they notice a cay in the distance. They all reach the island, but Timothy, worried about what would happen to Phillip if he should die, prepares Phillip to fish and find food and be more self-reliant. When a hurricane hits the cay, Timothy ties their meager supplies to a tree and shields Phillip from the strong winds and rain that flay his whole body. When Phillip regains consciousness after the storm he finds Timothy very weak. Timothy manages to get out his last words: "Phill-eep... you.. all right... be true? Terrible tempis'...."
After Timothy's death, Phillip remains confident until a plane flies over the island without stopping for him. Phillip, who is still blind, is discouraged. But when he hears another plane, he manages to build up and ignite the signal fire that Timothy had built, throwing green branches on it to make more smoke. It becomes visible to the plane, and a boat arrives to rescue Phillip and Stew Cat. Phillip is reunited with his mother and father, and receives surgery to restore his vision. He reminisces and thinks about revisiting the cay one day, knowing he will recognize it not by sight but by sound.
Production
Universal Television and Russell Thacher-Walter Seltzer Productions produced this film.
The Cay was filmed on location in Belize.
Cast
- James Earl Jones as Timothy
- Alfred Lutter as Phillip
- Gretchen Corbett as Grace – Phillip's Mother
In the film (unlike the book), Phillip's father did not appear.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award Show | Category | Result | Recipient(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Humanitas Prize | 60 Minutes | Nominated | Russell Thacher |
See also
External links
Categories:- 1974 television films
- 1974 films
- 1974 in American television
- 1970s adventure films
- 1970s American films
- 1970s English-language films
- American adventure television films
- American survival films
- Films about blind people
- Films about castaways
- Films about survivors of seafaring accidents or incidents
- Films based on American novels
- Films based on young adult literature
- Films directed by Patrick Garland
- Films scored by Carl Davis
- Films set in the Caribbean
- Films set on uninhabited islands
- Films shot in Belize
- NBC original films
- Television films based on books