The Miracle Worker (2000) (TV)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Nadia Tass

Writers:

William Gibson (play)
Monte Merrick (writer)

Release Date:

12 November 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Behind her eyes is the power to change the world.

Plot:

A television remake of William Gibson's classic play about Annie Sullivan's efforts to draw Helen Keller from her world of darkness and silence. |

Plot Keywords:

Remake | Deaf Mute | Disability | Doll | Brother Sister Relationship

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Hallie Kate Eisenberg	...	Helen Keller
Alison Elliott	...	Anne Sullivan
David Strathairn	...	Captain Keller
Lucas Black	...	James Keller
Kate Greenhouse	...	Kate Keller
Damir Andrei	...	Dr. Anapaes
Stewart Arnott	...	Farm Boss
Kevin Duhaney	...	Percy
Neville Edwards	...	Henry
Patricia Gage	...	Aunt Ev
Eugene Lipinski	...	Proctor
Twila Provencher	...	Young Annie
Jackie Richardson	...	Vincy
Liam Robinson	...	Jimmie
Stephanie Sams	...	Martha

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

American Sign Language | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Australia:M | USA:TV-PG

Filming Locations:

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Fountain Productions

Trivia:

The original Broadway production of "The Miracle Worker" opened at the Playhouse Theater on October 19, 1959, ran for 719 performances and won the 1960 Tony Award for the Best Play. Anne Bancroft (winner of the 1960 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play) and Patty Duke recreated their stage roles in the movie. William Gibson wrote the teleplay, the stage play and the screenplay.

Quotes:

Anne Sullivan: Why should I talk to you? I'm teaching Percy!

Movie Connections:

Version of "Anna dei miracoli" (1968)

Okay, but watered down compared to 1962 & 1979 versions

I have enjoyed both of the earlier versions of The Miracle Worker so much so that I wanted to see this one. While the performance by Alison Elliott as Anne Sullivan was very well done, she was handicapped by the watered down dialogue and tension between her character and that of Helen. For someone who has never seen either the 1962 version with Anne Bancroft as Anne and Patty Duke as Helen or the 1979 version with Patty Duke as Anne and Melissa Gilbert as Helen (which is my favorite - probably because I saw it first), this version may be enjoyable, but I found it to be deflatingly understated. If you have seen either of the earlier renditions, do not expect the dramatic scenes to be as emotional or the dialogue to be as effective in this latest remake.