In 1968, NBC News ran a harrowing investigative series on the Pennhurst State School and Hospital, founded in 1908 outside Philadelphia, PA. Fifty years later, filmmaker Jodie Alexandra Taylor’s new documentary looks back at longstanding controversies surrounding the institution, particularly over chronic, dehumanizing practices that went on for almost 80 years. At Pennhurst, the mentally challenged and otherwise disabled were, reportedly, stored as in a warehouse, neglected and restrained for long periods for no reason other than staff convenience. What Pennhurst discovers through interviewing surviving staff members and former patients (Pennhurst closed down in 1987) is that during its latter years Pennhurst showed some improvement as conditions and policies were at least somewhat modernized, but by all accounts the mammoth facility was always woefully understaffed. Patient needs were ignored, cruelty was common, and an industrial approach to basic care was the brutal norm. Family members recall the pain and guilt of surrendering a loved one to Pennhurst, one-time patients talk about surviving the haranguing and harshness of care staff, and former doctors lament the substandard treatment of the patient population, although a few past caretakers also describe some innovations that they introduced to help patients feel useful and worthy. An emotional roller coaster that sadly reminds viewers of how society often treats the disabled by segregating them from the rest of the world, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)
Pennhurst
(2018) 88 min. DVD: $59.95 ($299 w/PPR from edu.passionriver.com). Passion River (avail. from most distributors). Volume 33, Issue 5
Pennhurst
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