by Lucille Juliano
Biography, Drama
Director……Arthur Penn
Screenplay…….William Gibson (based on his stage play)
Starring…..Anne Bancroft, Patty Duke, Victor Jory, Inga Swenson, Andrew Prine
The Miracle Worker tells the story of Annie Sullivan’s struggles to teach the blind and deaf Helen Keller how to interact in her world. Despite this subject matter, Penn does not give into manipulating the viewer’s emotions. He made the story very realistic. The use of black and white cinematography adds to the simplicity of the sets and locations. The background music helps to carry the story to a degree but is quite nonintrusive. The film draws much of its power from the performances of Anne Bancroft (Annie) and Patty Duke (Helen).
This realistic portrayal features an 8-minute sequence of Annie trying to teach Helen table manners. Most critics agree that this segment may just be one of the most electrifying and honest sequences ever committed to film. This is just one example of the physicality of Bancroft and Duke’s performances. There are many other confrontations between the two throughout the film as Annie and Helen are what you might call spirited.
Annie uses humor, compassion, and a large dose of stubbornness as she deals with Helen’s behavior. Annie was virtually blind as a child and went through 9 surgeries to regain most of her sight. Light sensitivity is what remains and causes her to wear tinted lenses. She grew up in an asylum with her younger crippled brother, which taught her many life lessons. She attended the Perkin’s School for the Blind in Massachusetts where she gained experience working with the blind and the deaf.
On the surface, Helen appears to be a spoiled brat that always gets her way and needs to have complete control of her environment. Helen has frequent outbursts if her environment is altered in any way. The truth of the matter is that Helen is deeply frustrated about not being able to communicate and feels lost in her world. I learned this truth after reading Helen’s first memoir, The Story of My Life (Gibson used this book as a reference tool while writing the stage play). Helen is actually quite bright and developed her own form of signing with her mother. Her mother firmly believes that Helen can learn and wants to communicate. Helen’s father has his doubts and believes that Helen just needs some firm discipline. Both parents love Helen, but enable her tantrums by giving into her. They contact the Perkin’s School for help and in walks Annie.
I can completely relate to Annie’s teaching techniques and frustrations as she works with Helen. Being a Special Education teacher for 21 years, I could see a bit of myself in her. The exhilaration that you feel when a child finally demonstrates understanding of what you have been struggling to teach them for months is completely unexplainable. Sometimes the proof of learning comes out of the blue and that’s exactly what happens at the end of the film when Helen finally relates meaning to the signing for water. No matter how many times that I see this movie, I always tear up during that final sequence. I believe that this is the end result that Penn was shooting for when making the film. No manipulation necessary, just superb acting.
Apparently, there are others that might agree. During the 1963 Oscar broadcast, Anne Bancroft won Best Actress and Patty Duke won Best Supporting Actress. The movie also received nominations for director, screenplay and costume design at the Oscars. The movie won at the BAFTAs for Best Foreign Actress, Anne Bancroft (USA) and was nominated for best film from any source. Three Golden Globe nominations and various others are also to its credit.
Love this film. I know every one of my generation relates Anne Bancroft to “Mrs. Robinson”, but this is the role I think of whenever someone mentions her name. I tear up as well with it. Fine tribute to the film, Lucille.
Many thanks for a great account of a wonderful movie.
So interesting to learn of your identification with Annie – I didn’t know you taught special ed (so did my sister-in-law). This is a superb film that really shows in an unforgettable way how children learn, even those for whom learning is especially difficult. Thanks so much, Lucille.
It’s been awhile since I’ve seen this but it’s a very engrossing and well acted film with a terrific, true-life story is overall an inspirational work reminding us of the truly special gift that teachers have in helping children grow in so many ways. Splendid review Lucille. The acting is top-notch and unforgettable for sure.
Lucille, an excellent summation of a great, well-remembered film. I had not realized you were a special ed teacher; your personal experience must truly enhance your appreciation of the film.
Lucille,
Wonderfully expressed understanding of a film that many never have the experience to be part of raising and teach a special child. As teen I volunteered on the weekends to take of a special needs child while their parents went about their day. The emotion of discovery when a child expresses and want or a need through the course of time is a great blessing to have had.
This film and performance deserved the praise they achieved.
Fabulous appraisal here Lu!!! Your incorporation of your personal experiences as a special education teacher really fueled the emotional connection. A very great film of course, and electrifying performances.
Lucille’s “straight to the point”, “no nonsense” approach to this review of THE MIRACLE mirrors director Aurthur Penn’s same approach to the story and subject matter of this wonderful film. I think that’s as it should be for the story of Annie Sullivan’s time with Helen Keller saw a straight forward approach to the tactics needed to break the stubnorn wall of communication and non-learning.
It really is all about the performances and Lucille perfectly focuses on how simplistic Penn keeps the visuals on order to focus on the titan work of Bancrofte (in her second best performance) and Duke. Even better is the juxtapose that Lucille lobes through the review of her own experiences as a hard love, special education teacher to help illustrate the frustration and, eventual, joy that can come when a breahthrough occurs.
Understanding this, it only makes the work.of Sullivan even more remarkable. No child should EVER be abandoned.
Excellent Lucille! Remember having to read Gibson’s original play for a high school assignment. The film was my first introduction to Anne Bancroft. Both ladies were just fabulous in this film.
Wonderful and personal look at this film Lucille!
Bravo Lucille! You come to this film with the better possible qualifications. Quite the moving motion picture!
Lovely review by Lucille. I’ve seen this on the stage twice, but nothing can compare with the acting in this film.
Thank you all for your kind remarks here. This movie has always been one of my favorites. It touches my heart every time I view it. In fact, this movie may just be one of the factors that inspired me to go into teaching special needs kids. I continue to enjoy the challenges that come with working with these kids and as principal lead the charge in getting children the support they need to be successful in school.