This, of course, is the Academy Award winning film of the Helen Keller story. Helen was born fully functioning until a brain fever takes her vision and her hearing. The Keller family takes on the responsibility of raising her with all the pitfalls involved. They have tried everything they can but to no avail. Helen is like having a tornado in the house. She throws tantrums, eats food off other's plates, slaps, kicks, and is generally destructive. One day a school in Baltimore is contacted and a teacher is sent to work with Helen. She is Annie Sullivanand the rest is history. Annie has two obstacles. The obvious one is breaking through to Helen. The other is trying to work after years of the family giving in to what Annie calls a "tyrant." The family is a southern patriarchal one and she butts heads with the father time after time. But hidden deep in the recesses of that active brain is something that needs to be reached. By the way, watch the wonderful scene where Annie works to get Helen to eat her food in a civilized. Patty Duke and Ann Bancroft are amazing in this film. The black and white atmospheric setting and subtle music and Arthur Penn's restrained direction are hallmarks.
Review of The Miracle Worker
