THE MIRACLE WORKER

US, 1979, 98 minutes, Colour.
Patty Duke, Melissa Gilbert, Diana Muldaur, Anne Seymour.
Directed by Paul Aaron.

The Miracle Worker was a success as a play and as an Oscar-winning film for Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke in their roles of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller. Direction was by Arthur Penn who went on to make such striking films as Bonnie And Clyde and Little Big Man. The producer of the stage play and the film was Fred Coe. In the late 1970s he decided to produce a remake for the television audience. Patty Duke, who made such an impact as Helen, now takes the role of Annie Sullivan - with her own style but also reminiscent of the performance of Anne Bancroft. Melissa Gilbert of The Little House On The Prairie takes on Patty Duke's role - a little older but giving the part of Helen some force.

William Gibson has adapted his play and screenplay for the television audience. Thus, it is very similar in presentation to the original film. Comparisons can be made and many of the sequences are just as effective in this telemovie. However, the tone of the film seems less passionate because of its adaptation for the home viewing audience with commercial interruption. The earlier film was in many ways stark in black and white, and melodramatic. This film has colour photography and a pleasantness about it as well as the forceful drama. (And a sentimental score). However, it is an important theme well treated and makes impact for the home audience. The supporting cast is good, perhaps better in many ways than in the original film. Direction is by Paul Aaron who had made only minor dramas and action films at this stage.

1. The impact of the film as telemovie - the adaptation of the play and the original film for the home audience? Capturing the importance of the characters, issues and drama for home response? The reputation and esteem for Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan? The knowledge of their story? Achievement? Themes of humanity, the disabled, encouragement in the face of outstanding difficulties? The contribution of this film to continuing that story?

2. William Gibson and his devotion to Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan's work? His play and its reputation, the original film version and its awards, the play about Helen Keller growing up? The communication of the Miracle Worker story through a telemovie in the '80s? The commitment of producer and writer and stars to their work? The contribution of the stars, especially Patty Duke in the light of her previous performance as Helen?

3. The adaptation of the play and film for the '80s audience? The choice of telemovie, the home audience and its response, intensity with pauses? Colour photography? The highlighting of the characters and the acting and their interaction? Musical score?

4. Helen and Annie in their period? The post-Civil War South? The family and the respect for the Captain, even from his wife? The 19th century manner and style? The primness of home life? Nineteenth century Americana?

5. The Keller family and its being ruled by the Captain and his understanding of rules and people in their place? Katie and her devotion to her husband? Her softness? Her love for the baby? Their concern about Helen and the puzzles of how to treat her and what to do with her? Jimmy and his not being listened to? The family revealed especially in the meals sequences? A house of order,' rules, good manners? The decisions being made by the Captain, but his relying on Katie? The quality of love and compassion in the family? Their spoiling Helen, caring, not knowing how to care? The threat of Helen having to be put into an institution?

6. The initial impact of Helen wandering in the fields at the opening? The difficulties of her being cut off from the rest of the world? Her inability to communicate? The wild child? Her being given what she wanted out of a spoiling compassion? Her not learning? The memories of her having recognised water? Her parents and their dilemma? The various helps they had tried? Their hopes? The visit of Aunt Em and her return with Helen so changed?

7. The crossing to Annie and the resume of her experience, suffering, operations, learning, courage? The doctor and his confidence in her, his exhortatory speech? The difficulties of the train journey? Her eagerness? The clashes with Jimmy? The straight-talking to the Kellers? Her hopes and her capacity for giving?

8. The initial response of the family to her age? Rules? Her being locked in and having to be rescued by ladder? Katie and her wanting to learn sign language? The Captain and his avoiding Helen? His wanting to dismiss her but his apprehensiveness? The family upset at Annie's treatment of Helen during the meal? The decision about the two weeks away from the family? Their observing Annie at work? The party and Annie's work almost being ruined? The stances taken by Katie, by Aunt Em, by the Captain? Jimmy's confrontation of his father? The decision to give in to Annie and her methods?

9. Annie and her attempts to communicate with Helen? The initial encounter with its communication and violence? Love, fighting, Helen taking the key, locking Annie in the room? The seeming communication and then the violent reaction? Annie's coping with the wild child? The film's focus?

10. The two weeks, the help of the negro boy, Annie's hard work, filling Helen with data about learning, words, objects, persons? The gentler touch? The effect on Helen and her calming down? on Annie and her capacity for giving? The importance of Annie's memories, especially about Jimmy and her dialogue with him? Her explanation to the Kellers of the horrors of institutional life?

11. The return and the possibility of success? Helen's reversal to violent behaviour? Her testing out everybody? The possibility of failure?

12. The emotional impact of the success, Helen's recognition of water, her speech, her signing the word 'teacher' to Annie, recognition of her family? The effect for the audience in encouragement and hope?

13. The postscript and the effect of Annie Sullivan's work on an individual and its repercussions for the world? The highlighting of the achievement of the self-sacrifice and giving of one person?

14. The warmth of the film - especially Patty Duke and her long experience with the play, her experiencing performing the role of Helen and the knowledge she brought to that of Annie? Melissa Gilbert and her qualities of strength, having to communicate Helen's character without the benefit of words? A satisfying telemovie? Entertainment and uplifting?