Dr. Henry Morgentaler says if he had to fight again for women to win the right to have an abortion on demand, he would.

"I was willing to go to jail, I was willing to die for it," he told CTV's Canada AM Wednesday. "So when I look back on it, I look at a life of achievement because I achieved a great deal and I'm very proud of it."

A TV movie about Morgentaler, entitled "Choice: The Henry Morgentaler Story,'' airs tonight on CTV.

It chronicles how the physician defiantly began his fight for women's reproductive rights in 1967, even serving time in a Quebec prison in 1975 on abortion charges. The story culminates with the Supreme Court of Canada deciding to strike down this country's abortion laws in 1988.

Morgentaler, now 81, was an advocate for abortion rights at a time when attempting to induce an abortion was a crime punishable by life in prison. He gave up his family practice to focus solely on the fight for the right to perform abortions.

Even now though, 17 years after the court battles have ended, the abortion debate continues to fire emotions for many. But Morgentaler says for him, the issue has always been straightforward.

"I got involved because this was, for me, a fight for justice, for fundamental justice, and the fact that I could possibly do something to help women in spite of a law which did not allow me to do it."

And as lawmakers in the U.S. chip away at Roe vs. Wade -- the case that changed abortion laws in the U.S. -- Morgentaler believes that the laws in Canada are solid.

"I think it has become an acquired right for women. And therefore it will be very difficult for anyone, any politician or any Parliament to change this. It's very hard to take away an acquired right."

As for the CTV movie about his life, Morgentaler says it's an accurate description of his fight. He just wishes he didn't come out appearing so callous.

"Well, on the whole, I think it was a very well-done movie. But the only thing that I don't like about it is that my sweeter, nicer, gentler nature did not come out.

"I was portrayed as a fighter for justice and so on, but they didn't do me justice as far as my personal life is concerned. Because I'm basically a nice guy."

David Eisner, who stars as Morgentaler, says it was a terrific role to play, especially with director John L'Ecuyer on board.

"It's an actor's dream to play such an interesting, tumultuous character," he says. "I couldn't have done it without the director who is an incredible man in his own right and with his help, it really made a big difference."

While Morgentaler once dominated headlines in this country, a recent Ipsos-Reid/CTV poll showed that 78 per cent of Canadian women aged 18-34 couldn't identify who Morgentaler is or what he had done.

Morgentaler says rather than see that as an indication that women don't appreciate the work he did, he says it's encouraging that his work is now taken for granted.

"I think it's a good thing that many women don't know anymore about the enormous struggle that was necessary to bring this about," he says.

"And let's face it, society's changed. Women no longer die as a result of abortion. Fewer children are born who are neglected or abused. There are few young men who have a rage in their heart; consequently there's been a decrease in crimes of violence.

"On the whole, I think we have a better society because of all that. "