Not surprisingly, it immediately generated controversy, even becoming the subject of a Nationwide [...] debate following a television screening of the film. Some commentators and parents worried that children would be traumatised, others that it might actually encourage copycat vandalism. Many defended the film as an appropriately tough response to a serious problem. Nonetheless, in 1979 the film was withdrawn and replaced by the much softer Robbie. At this stage, we can only speculate as to which film better achieved the aim they both shared, of preventing injury and loss of life, but The Finishing Line remains among the most audacious public safety films ever made.