From book to play to big screen, Helen Keller's autobiography has been an inspirational source for many over the years, and continues to be one of the truly great stories of personal triumph over physical handicaps. In this classic 1962 film from director Arthur Penn, Patty Duke stars as Keller, who was blind and deaf from an early age. Keller was a bit of a terror to her guilt-ridden parents until teacher Anne Sullivan (Anne Bancroft) arrived in Alabama in 1887 to school the rebellious child. Quickly assessing the situation, Sullivan asked to have Keller alone with her for a month, which led to battles that have now become screen legend, as Keller kicks, screams, and bites her way around Sullivan, while the latter doggedly tries to teach Keller the alphabet. Returning home semi-defeated, Keller reverts to her old ways, purposely knocking over a water pitcher at the dinner table—prompting Sullivan, in anger, to drag her and the empty pitcher out to the water pump, where a miraculous breakthrough is finally achieved. Both lead actresses picked up much-deserved Oscars for their challenging emotional and physical performances, and the film was also nominated for Best Director and Screenplay. The film was remade for TV in 1979, with Duke in the role of teacher Sullivan, and again by Disney in 2000. Presented with an excellent transfer, this is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (R. Pitman)
The Miracle Worker
Olive, 106 min., not rated, DVD: $19.95, Blu-ray: $29.95 Volume 33, Issue 1
The Miracle Worker
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