Themes: Teachers and Students, Living With Disability
Main Cast: Anne Bancroft, Patty Duke, Victor Jory, Inga Swenson, Andrew Prine
Release Year: 1962
Country: US
Run Time: 107 minutes
Plot
Based on William Gibson's Broadway play and retaining its acclaimed cast, Arthur Penn's The Miracle Worker tells the true story of Helen Keller (Patty Duke), an Alabama girl struck blind and deaf as a baby after an elevated fever. Enter Annie Sullivan (Anne Bancroft), a partially-blind woman assigned the task of teaching Helen sign language. After first separating Helen from her over-protective parents (Victor Jory and Inga Swenson), Annie begins the arduous process of teaching the girl. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
Review
The Miracle Worker features two of the greatest screen performances of the 1960s, Patty Duke as Helen Keller and Anne Bancroft as Annie Sullivan. Director Arthur Penn skillfully recreates his stage success with the same material, adroitly pacing the film in ways that build a satisfying emotional intensity. The real-life story of the Alabama-born Keller is one of the most powerful personal triumphs of the 20th century, and the film is an inspiring recreation of those events. One of the all-time best films from United Artists, The Miracle Worker retains its power with current audiences, as do the various film remakes and stage revivals, but this original version holds up the best. ~ Richard Gilliam, All Movie Guide
Kathleen Comegys - Aunt Ev; Beah Richards - Viney; Jack Hollander - Mr. Anagnos; Michele Farr - Young Annie at Age 10; Alan Howard - Young Jimmie at Age 8; Judith Lowry - 1st Crone; William F. Haddock - 2nd Crone; Helen Ludlam - 3rd Crone; John Bliss
Credit
Mel Bourne - Art Director, George Jenkins - Art Director, Ruth Morley - Costume Designer, Arthur Penn - Director, Aram Avakian - Editor, Laurence Rosenthal - Composer (Music Score), Fred Coe - Producer, William Gibson - Screenwriter, Helen Keller - Book Author, William Gibson - Play Author
