The Morning After

I also saw this tv movie only once during its original airing. I was only 10 years old at the time. I regret to say that much of the content has since faded from memory. But don't think that has any reflection on the movie, only my memory! To this day I have not forgotten the impact that Dick Van Dyke's performance had on me. His portrayal of an alcoholic steadily descending into the deep abyss of his disease has stayed with me for almost thirty years. My first exposure to this illness came with this film. And it haunts me to this day. Not to mention the fact that I not once since seeing this movie have I been able to listen to the Beatles' 'Yesterday' without feeling a small jab in my heart because of it.

Even though I haven't seen this movie since it was first shown in 1974 I still recall much of it vividly. Dick Van Dyke gives the performance of his life as an alcoholic, self-hating man who just can't accept the help he needs to get better. For anyone who has seen it, the last scene is just chilling and unforgettable. One of the best tv movies ever made.

Dick Van Dyke earned a well deserved Emmy nomination for his powerhouse performance in THE MORNING AFTER, a 1974 ABC Movie of the Week where Van Dyke played a successful public relations man who begins to forsake everything in his life for the bottle. This intense look at the disease of alcoholism is uncompromising in its approach to the story and Van Dyke pulls out all the stops to turn in this gut-wrenching performance, which, if the truth be told, probably wasn't a real stretch as Van Dyke was drinking very heavily at the time. Van Dyke had been drinking for years but kept it well hidden. A few years later, he made his alcoholism public and got sober a few years after that. I was 16 years old when this movie premiered but I remember Van Dyke's performance haunted me long after the movie was over. I remember a scene where his wife, played by Lynn Carlin, won't give him the car keys so he can go out and get more liquor and he practically beats her up to get the keys. I also remember the final scene of a drunken Van Dyke, all alone in the world, on a beach, with his bottle, drinking and passing out. The movie is a powerful indictment against drinking and vividly portrays the isolation from everything important in a drinker's life that alcohol can cause. Another landmark TV movie that should be made available on video if it is not.

I watched this film while I was in treatment for alcoholism in June of 1987.

Thanks to God and AA, I have been continuously sober for the past 16 years.

In a few days, it could be 17 but we do this one day at a time. I am going to reveal how the movie ends. Don't keep reading if you don't want to know. However, the movie is not available for purchase anywhere that I know so there's little chance that I'll spoil anything for you. The way it ends is that the Dick Van Dyke character gives up and goes away to drink himself to death. I generally hate movies that end badly but this one had a tremendous impact on me. Van Dyke's portrayal is so convincing. It reminds me of the tremendous power of alcohol and the "life and death" struggle that is recovery. God bless you for reading this and if you know of a way to purchase this film, please let me know.

I would love to have a copy of this movie. I saw it when it was on TV and I was actively drinking very heavily. I have been sober 30 years now but I will never forget this movie. Anyone know where to get a copy??? I feel like it would be an impact on may lives of alcoholics as well as drug abusers. It has a very profound message for all ages. The realism stems from Van Dykes own personal bout with alcohol abuse. He brings to the movie what no other has done and I have seen a lot of movies about addiction. Recovery programs this is a must see!!! Individuals with addictions should see this movie. It will make you self examine your addictions. Please, someone get this out to the public again. It should never have been stopped from viewing in the first place.