Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

We all probably remember the story about Helen Keller. The little girl who was stricken with scarlet fever as an infant, leaving her mute and permanently blind and deaf. How the determination of her once blind teacher, Anne Sullivan, rescues Helen from her dark world. With a lot of battles and perseverance Helen's world is finally opened up with the use of sign language being spoken into the palm of her hand. Helen Keller grows up to attend college and finished in 1904, with great honors. Then lives an amazing life as an author and great lady.

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The Miracle Worker, tells the story of Helen Kellers childhood. When her parents happiness from Helen surviving the scarlet fever is quickly destroyed and they are devastated upon discovering her disabilities. They are completely lost as to how to teach her to live in a seeing/hearing world. They, understandably, feel very sorry for her and are afraid to teach her any manners or discipline. But are so overwhelmed by her dependence on them that they are considering admitting her to an asylum. Their strong love allows them to reach out for one more strand of hope for getting Helen some help. They write to a special blind school in Boston, and are hopeful when the school sends their best student to help Helen. But soon realize that there isn't much hope in teaching Helen any language or communication.

This movie was done in the early 60's, so it is black and white. But the story is unforgettable. A young Patty Duke, is introduced to the big screen as the inflicted Helen Keller. At 16 years old, she was the youngest actor of that time to have won a best supporting actress award for this movie. Her performance is flawless, and not for one second is the viewer reminded that this isn't the real Helen Keller, spoiled and untaught at the age of seven years old.

Anne Bancroft, playing the once blind teacher Anne Sullivan, joins Patty Duke in an impeccable performance, winning a best actress award. As she is tormented with her own nightmares of her blind childhood, being raised in a disgusting asylum. She is determined to not only teach Helen Keller her manners and personal hygiene, but to open the world of language that seems too impossible for Helen to understand. Although the task seems more and more exhausting and hopeless. "Teacher" refuses to let anyone give up, including Helen. She knows there is a much better life waiting for Helen, then to just be put away, living a miserable life. Although her methods seem cruel and heartless, *Teacher* will not give in to the pity that Helen's parents have allowed themselves and Helen to live with.


The writer William Gibson, knew how to captivate the viewer with highly emotional scenes. Even though we knew that the teacher, Anne Sullivan had a constructive purpose for her methods, it was very hard to watch a child yanked from her chair and food ripped from her mouth to teach table manners. Wrestled to the floor to make her pick up a thrown spoon. And denied the comfort of her mother when this child desperately needed it. But until Helen broke through understanding language, she was taught how to appreciate the things around her. At the beginning of the film, you will see Helen turning over a cradle, spilling her baby sister out of it. But as soon as she learns to trust her teacher, she handles a hatching egg with gentleness. Helen is changed from a dirty, unkempt child into a beautiful little girl.

Just when the parents, (and the viewer) feels that the child can take no more apparent abuse. The dramatic climax of the movie charges us into another extremely emotional scene. Helen Keller finally understands what those finger games were all about. They meant something. They represent everything she is touching, everything has a name and she now wants to learn them all. It doesn't matter how many times I watch this movie, this scene where Helen finally makes the connection from her dark world inside her head to the world outside of it, gives me a big lump in my throat, and I still tear up. The world is open to her now and the sky is the limit.

Directed by Arthur Penn, this movie was nominated for 5 academy awards, it certainly deserved it.


I do recommend this movie for everyone's family. It is really a great story that is truly inspirational. Someone who seems to be dealt the worst imaginable odds in life, but is able to overcome them and live a truly happy, rich and rewarding life. Is really a great lesson for us all.


***This movie is exceptionally personal to my family because it helps bring a perspective to my kids to help understand their father who was born severely hearing impaired. I also see things from another light and understand how devastated his parents must have felt upon learning his disability. We all now have better compassion for daddy. And he is pleased that there was a movie that helped his family understand him better.

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day