The Miracle Worker (1962 film)

The Miracle Worker is a 1962 American biographical film directed by Arthur Penn. The screenplay by William Gibson is based on his 1959 play of the same title, which originated as a 1957 broadcast of the television anthology series Playhouse 90. Gibsons original source material was The Story of My Life, the 1902 autobiography of Helen Keller.

Young Helen Keller Patty Duke, blind and deaf since infancy due to a severe case of scarlet fever, is frustrated by her inability to communicate and subject to frequent violent and uncontrollable outbursts as a result. Unable to deal with her, her terrified and helpless parents contact the Perkins School for the Blind for assistance. In response they send Anne Sullivan Anne Bancroft, a former student, to the Keller home to tutor her. What ensues is a battle of wills as Anne breaks down Helens walls of silence and darkness through persistence, love, and sheer stubbornness.Despite the fact Anne Bancroft had won the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for her performance in the Broadway production, United Artists executives wanted a bigger name cast as Anne Sullivan in the film adaptation. They offered to budget the film atmillion if Elizabeth Taylor was cast but only 500,000 if director Arthur Penn insisted on using Bancroft. Penn, who had directed the stage production, remained loyal to his star. The move paid off, and Bancroft won an Oscar for her role in the film. ........

Source: Wikipedia