Overview
A remarkable journey of communication and understanding unfolds as a determined teacher breaks through a young girl's silence.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- harrowing
- intense
- sincere
- classic film night
- historical drama evening
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a powerful, harrowing, and emotionally honest drama elevated by Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke's extraordinary performances, while noting that its prolonged physical confrontations can become exhausting.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Helen's education depends on tactile spelling, disciplined repetition, and translating gestures into shared meaning.
Annie challenges the Keller family's permissiveness and uses rigorous routines to teach Helen independence.
Patty Duke's frantic gestures and Anne Bancroft's athletic confrontations externalize Helen's confusion and Annie's determination.
The plot contrasts the threat of institutionalization with the Perkins Institute's belief that Helen can be taught to communicate.
Films like The Miracle Worker, and why
My Left Foot
shared biographical drama, teacher student relationship, emotional intensity, and acclaimed central performances
The Theory of Everything
shared historical drama, disability representation, educational struggle, and deeply committed acting
Mr. Holland's Opus
shared inspirational drama, mentorship, institutional obstacles, and restrained emotional uplift
Doubt
shared stage-derived drama, adversarial relationships, verbal and physical confrontation, and powerful performances
Movie Details
- Director
- Arthur Penn
- Release Date
- 1962-05-23
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Rating
- 7.9 / 10 (356)
Cast
- Anne Bancroft
- Patty Duke
- Victor Jory
- Inga Swenson
- Andrew Prine
- Kathleen Comegys
- John Bliss
- Grant Code
- Michele Farr
- Jack Hollander
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, TCM, ScreenPix Apple TV channel, ScreenPix Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Miracle Worker about?
- A fiercely physical teacher-student drama about Annie Sullivan’s determined effort to give Helen Keller a language and a life beyond institutionalization.
- What is The Miracle Worker like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Miracle Worker as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Miracle Worker violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Miracle Worker as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Miracle Worker?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a powerful, harrowing, and emotionally honest drama elevated by Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke's extraordinary performances, while noting that its prolonged physical confrontations can become exhausting.
- Which films are like The Miracle Worker?
- Films with a similar feel include My Left Foot, The Theory of Everything, Mr. Holland's Opus, and Doubt.
- How long is The Miracle Worker?
- The Miracle Worker runs 106 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Miracle Worker?
- In United States, The Miracle Worker streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, TCM, ScreenPix Apple TV channel, ScreenPix Amazon Channel .
