Anne Bancroft is top-notch in this role. And Patty Duke gave a riveting performance as a young Helen Keller. A must-see film.

This is a real terrific movie. It is about Helen Keller and her wonderful teacher, Annie Sullivan. Patty Duke and Anne Bancroft both won well deserved oscars for their roles as Helen and Annie. Annie Sullivan is hired by the Kellers to be a teacher to their blind and deaf daughter Helen. Helen is uncontrollable and trapped in a world where she cannot communicate. Throughout the movie we see Annie trying to teach her finger spelling and to behave in a more acceptable way. Helen was pretty wild and allowed to get away with everything. { I am sure that almost everyone is aware of the story of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan} The movie is wonderful as we see how Annie slowly teaches Helen to eat with a fork, and to dress herself. The movie shows the frustration of trying to get Helen to understand that the finger spelling she is showing Helen stands for things and then at the end of the movie the climax when finally after spelling out the word water there is a break through and Helen makes the connection. between the finger spelling and what it means. to this day even though I have seen this movie many times,I still cry at this scene it is very emotional.Especially knowing this is a true story about Helen Keller and her devoted teacher Annie Sullivan. I would highly recommend this movie. Very well done.!

This film couldn't be made today. The talent isn't there among the Hollywood elite and no one would consider it an interesting enough story. Great example of an 'old Hollywood' movie.

Superb. The dining room scene alone is worth the price of admission.

Patty Duke and Anne Bancroft gave incredible performances as they portrayed Helen Keller's life story.

Molfan's already done an excellent review of this absorbing, moving and superbly-acted drama,from director Arthur Penn (Bonnie and Clyde,Little Big Man,Night Moves..)concerning a deaf-blind girl whose parents hire a teacher to help her communicate.The subject i find of added interest as years ago i regularly visited a deaf-blind woman,whose resilience,optimism,ability and kindness never ceased to amaze me.German director Werner Herzog did an admired documentary on a woman living in this "Land of Silence and Darkness",but Penn's film,for me,is certainly superior.