Rating: 
Summary: The Miracle Worker
Review: A film about Helen Keller's teacher, Ann Sullivan, played by the versatile Ann Bancroft. Although it won many awards in the early 60's I found the film to be quite dated, and over-dramatic in parts. That aside, it is important to bear in mind what the story is about. Where do I start. It has everything: courage, ambition, dedication, survival. Fine performances from Bancroft and Patty Duke. The rest of the cast however over-acted and spoilt the film in a way.
DVD SUMMARY: Released by MGM, the transfer to DVD is quite sharp. It is not enhanced for widescreen TV's. No extras are on the disc.
Rating: 
Summary: Watch with care, it may change you
Review: My first viewing of this movie was as a teenager. All I could remember of it was it moved me, but no more than that or why. Having mangaged to get my hands on one of the few that are rentable, I watched.
I was thunderstruck. The reality (not graphic gratuity...this was made in early 1960's) was not easy, but rewarding. Helen Keller overcame some formidable odds, not the least of which was her family who were determined (unknowingly) to maintain her helpless state out of fearful love of not demading anything of her. Then a stranger, Annie Sullivan, comes into the family in their desperation to do what they could not.
Being the basis of a true story, this drama of Helen Keller's life verifies what rewards a stubborn love can reap. I would recommend this incredible experience to any parent, teacher or counselor who wants to learn the value of commitment in the face of hard-headed belligerence and ignorant defiance. And considering where Helen Keller was headed before her teacher's arrival and what they both accomplished, makes this all the more powerful to experience.
There are very, very few videos and dramas, by my mind, that I could make this claim for: Excellence and the highest rating possible.
Rating:
Summary: Great for Kids
Review: This review specifically addresses viewing by children, in response to an earlier review by a teacher who found that her students had difficulty watching the movie. I have only used an N of one (my daughter), so this is anecdotal, but she is six years old and we just rented The Miracle Worker this weekend, and she loved it so much she asked me to purchase a copy, which is why I am on the site today. We did talk during the movie to process what was going on, but she was thoroughly enthralled and really got it, including the larger commentary on how society sees the handicapped. By far and away, this beats the MaryKateAshleyHilary stuff out there that's targeted at young girls. I highly recommend this for family viewing!
Rating: 
Summary: May not be appropriate for young children
Review: The classic story of deaf and blind Helen Keller (Patty Duke) and her teacher, Anne Sullivan (Anne Bancroft). Pitied for her handicaps and thought to be retarded, Helen has been indulged and left in ignorance, resulting in a spoiled child without any concept of language. Anne, herself raised in a home for blind and deaf children, must be a ruthless taskmaster in order to use the child's physical needs as a primer from which to teach her what language is so that communication might follow.Bancroft and Duke carry this film on their shoulders and they do a magnificent job. They share many intense, physically exhausting scenes together. The sequence in which Anne grapples with Helen over dinner in order to teach her to follow basic rules of etiquette is a good example-it is unsentimental and the actresses are totally committed to their performances. Director Arthur Penn and screenwriter William Gibson (who adapted his own stage play) have done remarkable jobs as well to produce an uplifting, inspirational film that eschews saccharine and phoniness.
Rating:
Summary: My favourite film ever
Review: Inspirational. Truly inspirational. An inspiring true story, an aesthetically professional work of direction, and a performance by Anne Bancroft that was "meant to be". For those who can appreciate true greatness, this is a film that will stay with you forever as a constant affirmation of both the true potential of film and of the human spirit.
Rating:
Summary: A Truly Wonderful Film
Review: The story of Helen Keller is well known. But how she conquers deafness and blindness bears a powerful message for overcoming other prejudices (racism, sexism) as well. Her teacher, Annie Sullivan (played by the gorgeous Anne Bancroft) is motivated by her own experiences growing up in the dank cruelty of asylums where blind and handicapped children were institutionalized with no chance for education and self fulfillment. She is driven with a messianic zeal to help her charge who, much like herself, has been similarly deprived. Helen, thought to be dumb, has been relegated by her family's ignorance to the status of a child-like pet; indulged because her infirmities are assumed to be unfixable. By today's standards, the movie's dialog and pacing are a little intense. And the physical violence (slapping mainly) between teacher and pupil might make some, especially young children, somewhat uncomfortable. But the performances by both Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke (as Helen) are mesmerizing. Helen, sharp as a tack (which is how she became so manipulative) is starved for knowledge and connection, and Miss Sullivan uses this hunger to bring her out. The story is well paced. And few movies I've seen recently have been so thoroughly filled with love! The only difficulty I had in watching this work - was my need to constantly wipe the haze from my eyes. This is a truly wonderful film.
|
