The Road (2001 film)

The Road (2001 film) is a British television drama film directed by Gillies MacKinnon, based on the 1999 novel of the same name by Cormac McCarthy. It is not to be confused with the 2009 film adaptation of the same novel.

The film stars John Simm and Mark Strong as a father and son, respectively, as they journey across a post-apocalyptic landscape. Following an unspecified cataclysmic event that has ravaged the Earth, they travel south in search of warmth and survival. The story focuses on their struggle against starvation, the elements, and other desperate survivors who have resorted to brutality. The film emphasizes the father's fierce dedication to protecting his son and preserving his innocence in a world devoid of hope.

While sharing the same source material as the 2009 film, the 2001 version is generally considered a more direct adaptation of McCarthy's novel, particularly in its bleak and unrelenting portrayal of the post-apocalyptic setting. It was broadcast on BBC Two in the UK. Critical reception of the 2001 film was generally positive, praising its fidelity to the source material and the performances of the lead actors. However, it is often overshadowed by the more widely known 2009 theatrical release.