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Poster for Charly

1968 | 103 min | Drama, Romance, Science Fiction

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It won an Oscar and it made about 9 times its budget, though it had middling reviews (55% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for romantics and sci-fi fans. If you loved Never Let Me Go, start here.
The mood
Warm and romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 43 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • Made in 1968: an older pace and style.

An experiment on a simpleton turns him into a genius. When he discovers what has been done to him he struggles with whether or not what was done to him was right.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsBelow par

    55% on Rotten Tomatoes, 50 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.5 out of 10

  • AwardsStrong

    Won 1 Oscar: Best Actor. Won 1 Golden Globe: Best Screenplay. Also nominated for 2 more Golden Globes. Plus 2 other awards.

  • Box office & staying powerStrong

    $9 million worldwide on a $950K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 108K people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by Ralph Nelson

  • Cliff RobertsonCharlie Gordon
  • Claire BloomAlice Kinian
  • Lilia SkalaDr. Anna Straus
  • Leon JanneyDr. Richard Nemur
  • Ruth WhiteMrs. Apple
  • Dick Van PattenBert
  • Edward McNallyGimpy
  • Barney MartinHank
  • William DwyerJoey
  • Dan MorganPaddy