The Miracle Worker1962The Miracle Worker
1962
Young teacher Annie Sullivan, herself nearly blind, comes to the Keller home in Alabama to teach Helen. The deaf, blind child has been allowed to run wild, and Annie must win a battle of wills with Helen and her pitying family.
For children old enough to talk it through: sustained intensity, or language or sexual content that Common Sense Media rates 7–9.
Why it’s here
Annie Sullivan's fierce love breaks through Helen Keller's darkness, and discipline is shown as mercy. The water-pump scene is one of the great moments in film.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
Long, physically violent struggles between Annie and Helen (slapping, the dining-room fight) are intense, and Annie is haunted by memories of her brother's death in the poorhouse. The family's indulgent pity is shown as harming Helen, which is a natural talk about love and discipline.
The Miracle Worker (1962)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- Why did Annie refuse to give in to Helen?
- Was the family helping Helen by giving her her way?
- What happened at the water pump?
- What does it take to really teach someone?
Content advisory
Common Sense Media 10+ (its content grid flags no details). Known content: prolonged physical struggles between teacher and child, including slapping; Annie's disturbing flashbacks.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
The Miracle Worker Blu-ray
Blu-ray · December 10, 2019
Edition link coming soon.
Listing on Blu-ray.com (opens in a new tab)Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.