''Roe vs. Wade'' is a 1989 television film written by Alison Cross about the landmark 1973 United States Supreme Court decision ''Roe v. Wade''. It was directed by Gregory Hoblit and stars Holly Hunter and Amy Madigan.

Plot

Ellen Russell is a lonely, single, poorly educated Texan who finds herself pregnant with no means to support a child. To avoid giving up the child, she seeks an abortion. Denied an abortion in Texas, the young woman hires a novice lawyer to plead Roe v. Wade, her case in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Cast

* Holly Hunter as Ellen Russell * Amy Madigan as Sarah Weddington * Chris Mulkey as Ron Weddington * Dion Anderson as Flowers * Terry O'Quinn as Jay Floyd * Stephen Tobolowsky as Darryl Horwath * Alycia Grant as Sherry Roe * James Avery (actor), James Avery * Maggie Baird * Kathy Bates * Daniel Benzali * Kevin Cooney

Production

''Roe vs. Wade'' was filmed on 35mm movie film, 35mm film with an aspect ratio of 1.33:1 and mixed in stereo.

Release

The film first aired on National Broadcasting Company, NBC on May 15, 1989. It was the 10th most viewed primetime television show for the week, with a 17.0 Nielsen ratings, Nielsen rating, and seen in an estimated 15.3 million homes.Buck, Jerry (May 28, 1989)
Jessica's rescue highest rated show for past week
''News-Telegram'' (Sulphur Springs, Texas) (Associated Press story) The German TV broadcast was edited down from 100 to 91 minutes.

Awards

41st Primetime Emmy Awards

47th Golden Globe Awards

References

External links

* 1989 television films 1989 films American legal drama films American courtroom films Films directed by Gregory Hoblit NBC Productions films Television courtroom dramas Films set in 1970 Films set in 1971 Films set in 1973 Films set in Texas Films about abortion Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Made for Television Movie winners American drama television films 1980s English-language films 1980s American films {{US-tv-drama-film-stub