THE MIRACLE WORKER

 "THE MIRACLE WORKER" (1962)

This biographical film is about Anne Sullivan, blind tutor to Helen Keller, directed by Arthur Penn. The screenplay by William Gibson is based on his 1959 play of the same title, which originated as a 1957 broadcast of the television anthology series Playhouse 90. Gibson's secondary source material was "The Story of My Life," the 1903 autobiography of Helen Keller. The film went on to be an instant critical success and a moderate commercial success. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including "Best Director" for Arthur Penn, and won two awards, "Best Actress" for Anne Bancroft and "Best Supporting Actress" for Patty Duke, whom at the age of 16, became the youngest competitive Oscar winner at the time. The movie has been remade (for television) twice. It was remade for television in 1979 with Patty Duke as Anne and Melissa Gilbert as Helen, as well as in 2000 with Alison Elliott and Hallie Kate Eisenberg in the lead roles. Knowing about the woman Helen Keller grew up to be, it is even more touching and interesting, in the way that true stories of inspiration and courage always are.

SYNOPSIS: "Blind and deaf after suffering a terrible fever as a baby, young Helen Keller (Patty Duke) has spent years unable to communicate, leaving her frustrated and occasionally violent. As a last chance before she is institutionalized, her parents (Inga Swenson, Andrew Prine) contact a school for the blind, which sends half-blind Annie Sullivan (Anne Bancroft) to teach Helen. Helen is initially resistant, but Annie gradually forms a bond with her and shows Helen ways of reaching others."