Return to the Miracle

I came across a movie on PBS this weekend I hadn't seen is awhile which resonated quite well:

"The Miracle Worker" - William Gibson and Arthur Penn's spellbinding adaptation of their Tony-Award winning Broadway triumph about teacher Annie Sullivan, determined not to see the young deaf-mute and blind Helen Keller remain imprisoned in a world of silence and darkness.

Anne Bancroft's brilliant portrayal of Sullivan brought her to a new beginning in her distinguished career. Paired opposite the spectacular Patty Duke, both re-creating their original stage roles, they delivered performances of stunning physical ferocity. The classic dining room scene where Annie forces Helen to learn to eat with a spoon was not about an adult disciplining an unruly child, it was about the clash of two forces of nature. They both deservedly won Oscars for their performances.

I was taken with how well the film holds up, retaining its power - with its haunting title sequence, and equally haunting score, to the stark black-and-white photography reminiscent of the live television dramas seen during that era, and a solid and moving ensemble of supporting players.

And with Anne Bancroft's sudden passing last year, viewing her once again in this signature role made it all the more poignant.

Rg