The Miracle Worker (1979)
The true story of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan, a gripping battle to overcome impossible obstacles and the struggle to communicate. As a young girl, Helen Keller is stricken with scarlet fever. The illness leaves her blind, mute, and deaf. Sealed off from the world, Helen cannot communicate with anyone, nor anyone with her. Often frustrated and desperate, Helen flies into uncontrollable rages and tantrums that terrify her hopeless family. The gifted teacher Annie Sullivan is summoned by the family to help the girl understand the world from which she is isolated, freeing Helen Keller from her internal prison forever. Television remake of the 1962 film which also starred Patty Duke in the role of Helen Keller.
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Good concept, poorly executed.
It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional
Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.
Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.
I first saw this movie during grade school when we were learning the history of Helen Keller. It was actually a very engaging movie of how Helen tries to cope with her blindness and how her teacher, Anne Sullivan, guides her along the way to live life as a blind person, and to also deal with her unruly attitude.The part where Anne and Helen grapples around the dinner table sent the classroom to laughter. To see Anne have such patience in dealing with Helen's misbehavior and her condition is uplifting.It's not a movie with some of the best acting, as some of the character interaction were just a little awkward. But overall, it's a pretty good TV movie about the courageousness of Helen Keller and the patience and understanding of Anne Sullivan.Grade B
Just finally got a copy of this on VHS off eBay. Been trying for years. Missed it the first time around and have never seen it listed in the TV guide since. Great to see Miss Duke-Astin return to this role. What a great idea in casting! Understand Melissa Gilbert put the project together so showcase her talents and she does that quite well. Although I do find a little more humor in Miss Duke-Astin's performance (more from facial expressions)I find it very believable and proves what an actress she can be when she wants to be. The supporting cast is well chosen and performs well and this is the perfect companion piece to the original.
I really loved this film, and miss seeing it. It would be wonderful to see it on television and on video. While I agree that Melissa's hair may have been a bit too long, it certainly accentuated the wild look Helen must have had, especially when she struggled against Annie.It's easy to make comparisons between originals and remakes. I've done it. But, in all fairness, a remake should be viewed with as open a mind as possible. Patty and Melissa both showed great strength and endurance in the "wrestling" scenes. It couldn't have been easy. Anyway, I have always loved the story of Helen Keller, and try not to miss an opportunity to see anything about her. Please try to bring it back, for us. Thanks.
This was a very good movie. Helen was played very well. This movie helps people not take things for granted. It is an incredible story of how anyone is capable of doing anything. Annie was also played very well. She taught Helen many things. The closing scene when Helen realizes that everything has a name is very moving. The love shown between Annie and Helen was really an awesome thing.