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
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