''The Cay'' is an American

television film A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...

based on the 1969 book of the same name. It was released on October 21, 1974.

Plot

Phillip is aboard the S.S. ''Hato'', which 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 of a crew member on the S.S. ''Hato''. Phillip, who hit his head on the S.S. ''Hato'', soon becomes blind from the head injury. After days on the sea, they notice a Cay in the distance. They all survive on the island, but soon Timothy worries about Phillip if he dies. Timothy prepares him to be self reliant to fish and find food. As the novel goes on, a hurricane hits the Cay. Timothy shields Phillip from the strong winds and rain, flaying his whole body. Phillip regains consciousness and finds Timothy very weak. Timothy manages to get out his last words, "'Phill-eep... you.. all right... be true?' 'Terrible tempis'." Timothy dies. Phillip remains confident until a plane finds over the island, but doesn't stop for him. Phillip, who is still blind, becomes discouraged. When Phillip hears another plane, he realizes the smoke is clear. He decides to put sea brush in the fire to make the smoke thicker and blacker. It becomes visible to the plane, and they call for help. A boat arrives to rescue Phillip and Stew Cat, and they get on a plane home. Phillip is reunited on the plane with his mother and father. He receives surgery on his eyes and his vision is restored. He reminisces about visiting the cay one day. Although not recognizing it by sight but by sound.

Production

Universal TV Universal TV, formerly Universal Channel, is an international pay television network specializing in movies and television series in the thriller, drama, comedy, horror, crime and investigation genres, owned by NBCUniversal International Netwo ...

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, its headquarters are l ...

and Russell Thacher-Walter Seltzer Productions produced and distributed this film. ''The Cay'' was filmed on location in

Belize Belize (; bzj, Bileez) is a Caribbean and Central American country on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. It also shares a wate ...

Cast

James Earl Jones James Earl Jones (born January 17, 1931) is an American actor. He has been described as "one of America's most distinguished and versatile" actors for his performances in film, television, and theater, and "one of the greatest actors in America ...

as Timothy *

Alfred Lutter Alfred William Lutter III (born March 21, 1962) is an American entrepreneur, engineer, consultant, and former child actor. Life and career Lutter was born on March 21, 1962, in Ridgewood, New Jersey, where he also grew up. He graduated from R ...

as Phillip *

Gretchen Corbett Gretchen Hoyt Corbett (born August 13, 1945) is an American actress and theater director. She is primarily known for her roles in television, particularly as attorney Beth Davenport on the NBC series ''The Rockford Files'', but has also had a pr ...

as Grace – Phillip's Mother In the film (unlike the book), Phillip's father did not appear.

Awards and nominations

References

External links