United States

Charly Gordon (Cliff Robertson) is a gentle adult with the mind of a child. Attracted to Charly by his determination to improve, his teacher Alice (Claire Bloom) persuades a group of doctors to undertake experimental neuro-surgery on Charly. The effect is dramatic. His mind begins to grow but his emotional development falls far behind his soaring intellectual abilities. This places an unbearable strain on those around him. Eventually Charly does begin to develop a mature relationship with Alice. But just as he is about to appear at a convention as living proof of the surgeons' success, Charly makes a frightening discovery leading up to a most unexpected ending. Charly is a difficult part brilliantly played by Cliff Robertson.