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.
Acting
Bancroft and Duke's physical warfare — both won Oscars for this.
Direction
Penn traps you in Helen's sensory prison, then cracks it open.
Writing
Gibson's teleplay adaptation — the dining room scene is pure dramatic architecture.
Director
Arthur Penn
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Bancroft and Duke originated these roles on Broadway in 1959; Duke was 15, making her the youngest competitive Oscar winner at the time.
The real Helen Keller became a socialist, suffragist, and birth control advocate — this film's focus on her childhood 'salvation' arguably sanitizes her radical adult politics.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
