Synopsis:
A television movie about the events leading up to the famous Roe vs. Wade decision ruled on by the U.S. Supreme Court, allowing women to obtain abortions legally. In February 1970, Ellen Russell, a poor, pregnant carnival barker in rural Texas, asks an inexperienced attorney, Sarah Weddington, to help her in a ground-breaking suit against the district attorney of Dallas so that she can have an abortion (then illegal under Texas law). The district court's refusal to issue an injunction prevents Russell from legally terminating the pregancy, and she is ultimately forced to give away her newly born baby. In the meantime, the suit places personal and financial strains on attorney Weddington.
