Since I've never read the popular 19th century novel I can't fairly judge this as an adaptation. However for an 80's TV movie based on a nearly 400 page book, the movie feels about as cheap and condensed as one might imagine. Slathering on the overly sentimental aspects of the story, which more than anything, feel like a product of the book's era, the film is noteworthy for attempting to challenge the negative connotation of "Uncle Tom" by heavily leaning into the religiousness of the character.