The Miracle Worker
Seen it?1962 | 106 min | Drama, History
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (96% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won 2 Oscars and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved I Swear or Temple Grandin, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 46 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1962: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
The true story of the frightening, lonely world of silence and darkness of 7-year-old Helen Keller who, since infancy, has never seen the sky, heard her mother's voice or expressed her innermost feelings. Then Annie Sullivan, a 20-year-old teacher from Boston, arrives. Having just recently regained her own sight, the no-nonsense Annie reaches out to Helen through the power of touch, the only tool they have in common, and leads her bold pupil on a miraculous journey from fear and isolation to happiness and light.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 83 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.9 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 2 Oscars: Academy Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role, Academy Awards: Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Won 3 Emmys: Emmy Awards: Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role – Limited Series or Special, Emmy Awards: Outstanding Hairstyling, Emmy Awards: Outstanding Special – Comedy or Drama. Won 1 BAFTA: BAFTA Awards: Best Foreign Actress in a Leading Role. Also nominated for 3 more Oscars, 1 more Emmy and 4 Golden Globes. Plus 9 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$3 million worldwide on a $500K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 114K people sought it out in the past year, and interest is climbing
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Arthur Penn
- Anne BancroftAnnie Sullivan
- Patty DukeHelen Keller
- Victor JoryCaptain Arthur Keller
- Inga SwensonKate Keller
- Andrew PrineJames Keller
- Kathleen ComegysAunt Ev
- John BlissAdmissions Officer (uncredited)
- Grant CodeDoctor (uncredited)
- Michele FarrAnnie at Age 10 (uncredited)
- Jack HollanderMr. Anagnos of Perkins School in Boston (uncredited)