The Cay (1974)

 

Starring:

• James Earl Jones
• Alfred Lutter III

IMDB.com
When Young Phillip is separated form his mother and found by a black man named Timothy and his cat Stewcat, Phillip becomes blind and they all end up on an island. Will they survive or will they die?

The availability of this made-for-TV movie is obscure. I saw it on some Sunday night on TV in 1974, and have wanted to see it again ever since. The story is positively poignant and the acting is superb. The character of Timothy is a wonderfully unique portrayal by James Earl Jones. The adaptation from the book was done well. Want to see it again and own it in my home movie library. I know that the book is still used for literature/english classes at the junior high/middle school level and this film version would be a valuable asset as a "follow-up" for students after reading the book.