Amazon.com essential video: Patty Duke and Anne Bancroft had been playing their respective roles as Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan, on Broadway for some time before director Arthur Penn (The Left-Handed Gun) built a mesmerizingly beautiful film around their layers-deep performances. Duke is astonishing as the deaf, blind, mute Keller, who awakens to an awareness of language under Sullivan's determined guidance. Bancroft is fascinating and focused. Penn wisely kept his adaptation unencumbered by cinematic indulgence. The black-and-white film is sparse and charged with the immediacy of the drama. The script is by William Gibson, who also wrote the original play. --Tom Keogh
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - miracle worker
This item arrived in a timely manner and has been viewed several times. My family enjoys it.
Rating: - Classic
This is a wonderful movie. Acting is superb and overcomes the obvious dated cinematography. Some things are classics and endure, this is one such thing
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Rating: - Must see
I saw the original Broadway production as a child, and the movie captures the brilliant stage performance of thes two extraordinary actresses. The supporting cast is outstanding. It is hard to realize how young Patty Duke was when she played Helen Keller on Broadway. Exceptional production.
Rating: - Classic
This movie is a must have. Inspirational. Reflects the hopes of a good teach. Gives everyone hope.
Rating: - still a classic
Since I first saw this 20+ years ago, a "review" really isn't warranted. However, the fact that I got it so that my children, too, could enjoy it (and they did, very much) should speak for itself. After all, if a movie inspires a child (11, 8 and 5) to ask some difficult questions,then nothing could be more worth it.
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