TMBTMB
TMBTMB

Track, discover and find where to watch TV shows and movies.

Discover

  • Movies
  • TV Shows
  • Browse
  • Topics

Account

  • Watchlist
  • Watched
  • Ratings

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Content Policy

© 2026 Movie Browser. All rights reserved.

Data provided by TMDB

Home
Browse
Watchlist
backdrop
backdrop
logo
A 1977 TV movie where a pregnant editor falls for a woman and questions literally everything.
TMDB
43

The Alternative (1977)

forgotten queer artifactmelodramatic soapfeminist time capsule

Overview

DramaTV Movie

Unmarried, beautiful and talented, Melanie Hilton discovers she is pregnant. The editor of a woman's magazine, she decides to have her baby and take leave from her job. Caught between her ex-lover and a colleague who wants to marry her, Melanie must find a solution or an alternative to her problem. When she falls in love with a woman, she questions the value of the traditional value unit.

Flag of AUAU
Content warning

Standout Aspects

Acting

Wendy Hughes carries messy material with genuine vulnerability.

Best for:Solo: For queer film archaeology with wine and righteous indignation.·Streaming: Culturally significant curiosity that deserves preservation.
Heads up:Triggers: Period-appropriate homophobia and abortion discourse.
P

Director

Paul Eddey

ReleasedApr 20, 1977
Runtime1h 14m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady
Intensitymedium
Tonemixed
Feelmedium
Reg Grundy Productions
The Australian Film Commission

Top Cast

Wendy Hughes

Wendy Hughes

Melanie Hilton

Carla Hoogeveen

Carla Hoogeveen

Linda

Tony Bonner

Tony Bonner

Peter

Alwyn Kurts

Alwyn Kurts

Doherty

Don Reid

Don Reid

Surgeon

Ken Goodlet

Ken Goodlet

Melanie's Father

Robert Bruning

Robert Bruning

Photographer (uncredited)

Anne Haddy

Anne Haddy

Helen (uncredited)

Ask about The Alternative

Opens AI chat

Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Wendy Hughes became one of Australia's most acclaimed stage actresses; this early TV role showed her range before Hollywood noticed.

Cultural

The film aired during a pivotal moment for Australian television—commercial networks were tentatively exploring 'adult' themes to compete with cinema and public broadcasting.

Reviews

No ratings yet

Start the discussionBe the first to post — spoiler-safe
Rate & reviewBe the first to weigh in

Recommended

Return to Zero movie poster (2014)
6.6

Return to Zero

Heaven movie poster (2019)
6.1

Heaven

Hello movie poster (2022)
6.3

Hello

TalhotBlond movie poster (2012)
6.3

TalhotBlond

Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault movie poster (1996)
7.1

Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault

Girl in the Box movie poster (2016)
6.7

Girl in the Box

Inherit the Wind movie poster (1999)
6.3

Inherit the Wind

Starving in Suburbia movie poster (2014)
6.5

Starving in Suburbia

American Son movie poster (2019)
6.1

American Son

Normal movie poster (2003)
6.7

Normal

Hello Sister, Goodbye Life movie poster (2006)
6.1

Hello Sister, Goodbye Life

The Christmas Shoes movie poster (2002)
6.9

The Christmas Shoes

Freshman Father movie poster (2010)
6.6

Freshman Father

Cheaters movie poster (2000)
6.3

Cheaters

Girl Fight movie poster (2011)
6.5

Girl Fight

Discussion

Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.

Discussion starters

View all comments →