Customer Reviews

Miracle Worker [VHS]

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Is it possible to watch the 2000 version of The Miracle Worker and not compare it to the 1962 classic? Is it possible to not be a bit prejudiced in favor of the version we saw with our parents and treasured in our memories all of these years?

I very much liked this newer version. Does it lack some of the passion of the original? Maybe. But what it may lack in passion, it gains in clarity. Yes, the storyline is clearer. The dialogue is easier to understand. The goals of the characters are more concrete. The sign language is not as rushed. The stepson has greater depth. There are fewer rantings and ravings of the original's cartoonish father. Best of all, I feel like I learned more.

Having read the other reviews I was reluctant to rent this Disney version. But I am now happy that I did. And I hope this wonderful story is told and retold by future filmmakers - and I hope I'm around to learn even more about this remarkable student and her teacher.

After I watched this movie, I still like the original 1962 better. Why? Because it has more emotional impact in it, and it has really funny scenes like the "feeling emotions on faces" the original has. The "battle of wills" is more tame in this (the Disney version) one than the original. I've noticed they left out some really good scenes that was from the original.
This version from Disney is ok. The actress who played Anne Sullivan did good, but I like the original James (Helen's half-brother) better than this one. The little girl who played Helen in this version is not as good as Patty Duke, but she did well.
If I had a choice, I'd pick the original. But this is good to watch too, if you want to see both versions, even though it is MUCH different than the 1962 movie.

At first it might not have seemed like such a bad idea to remake this movie again. Afterall the story of Annie Sullivan teaching Helen Keller communication is timeless and the 1979 version does prove that remakes can still work. So, if they had to do another one two decades later, why cast the Pepsi Girl in the coveted role as Helen?? I read a review that said her emotionless performance should be nicknamed "Frankenkeller", because she does indeed walk around like a robot! The only good thing about her performance is that she doesn't talk in the film! She is also too graceful a Helen. Patty Duke, and even Melissa Gilbert had a more wild animal like energy to their performances, while Ms. Pepsi seems bored as Helen (or is it that we are just bored at watching her? Would someone give her a Pepsi, please?? I was totally shocked that she didn't start singing at the pivotal water pump scene "The Joy of Wa-Wa"! However, she didn't say anything at all! Where is the emotional wallup that that scene has always brought to us?!

On some postive notes: The sets are grand and so are the costumes. Ms. Allison's performance as young fiest Sullivan can almost stand proudly besides Anne Bancroft's Oscar-winning turn as Anne Sullivan and Patty Duke's Emmy-winning interpretation of her. Do yourself a favor and watch the 1962 and 79 versions, ones that didn't rape such a gorgeous tale.

THIS VERSION STINKS!!! Why do people get it in there minds to re-make classics. Okay remake horror movies. But not these kind of movies. Leave these alone. We were not suppose to feel sorry for Helen Keller. We are suppose to know that she needed to learn the meaning of words to understand that everything had a name. Excuse me are we not poisoned inough with feelings. Are we not feed endless junk about feeling sorry about everyone on screen. Hellen Keller needed to understand that to be a human being she needed to communicate with the outside world to be able to survive in the world. The older two versions of this story told us that. This movie only showed the feelings...EXCUSE ME, this is not what Ann Sullivan job was. She had to teach. And she had to teach an almost animal child the meaning of learning, under the most worst circumstances. The mother had her feelings in the way of feeling sorry for her child, the father was just a tyrant and Ann had her partial blindness to worry about. Ann Sullivan techniques were merrited when she had to beat the child to learn. There was nothing wrong with that. Helen Keller deserved it. That's why if you want a true film to portray the almost true story see the first two versions of this story. Don't waste your time with this Disney failure.

I was very excited that there was another "Miracle Worker" coming out, but unfortunately I was very, very, disapointed! I have seen both of the first ones many times and I love them both! Patty Duke is amazing! I would not recomend this movie at all, yes, Helen is very cute in it but the acting is rigid and stale. I want the old spirit back!

Ok, so maybe it doesn't have the same spark as the original "Miracle Worker" with Patty Duke and Anne Bancroft did, but it worked. There was nothing wrong with this movie. It's an extremely sensitive retelling of the classic story of a deaf, blind and mute little girl who learned to communicate through the tireless teachings of Annie Sullivan. This version was VERY different, and the acting was not quite as passionate as it was in the original movie, but what can I say? I still loved it. Hallie Kate Eisenberg is, without a doubt, absolutely adorable and Alison Elliott does an excellent job in her role as Ms. Sullivan. I do have to admit that it was quite a stretch to see Eisenberg, whom we all recognize as "The Pepsi Girl," taking on such a complex role. Portraying Helen Keller has got to be extremely difficult, and I'm sure many people feel that Eisenberg wasn't able to pull it off. But in my opinion, she did fine in the role. This movie profiles a more prim and graceful Helen who wears pretty dresses with laces and fancy shoes. It's quite a difference from Patty Duke and her more raggedy wardrobe, but who cares? They obviously wanted to give Helen Keller a different sort of style this time around, and hey, it works. And it isn't the clothes that matter in this case--it's the way the story is told. And this movie doesn't stretch or deface the facts, so it's good. Of course, this version didn't outdo the original--I have a hard time believing that anyone would expect it to, anyway. But that's not the point. This is merely just a modern-day retelling of a true story. Maybe this is the type of story that many people believe isn't a story of "sensitivity," but sensitivity is undoubtedly important. While the 1962 version was absolutely outstanding, there wasn't as much sensitivity in it as there could have been. This new version has more of that, and that's good. Eisenberg made the ending of the movie a thoroughly touching and unforgettable one. I liked seeing Mrs. Keller (Helen's mother) as a gentle woman who really flaunts her incredible amount of love for Helen. Helen's father, Captain James, was very tough and headstrong, and for some reason, that was the image I had painted in my head of Helen's father. Jimmy--the stepbrother of Helen--is charming, and the actor who played this character did a great job. It warmed my heart to see this young, hurting man guide his father to a transformation from anger to understanding. Basically, if you want to see a version of "The Miracle Worker" with basic historical accuracy and a fair share of sensitivity, then by all means buy this 2000 version. It doesn't equal the 1962 masterpiece that we all know and love, but it is still very good. It's also a WONDERFUL way to introduce younger children to the story of Helen Keller. The script is simple and straightforward, so if you are one of those people who does not know the story, this is a great movie to help you become better acquainted with Helen's unforgettable conversion to light and knowledge. My advice? Buy the movie--what's the harm? Just buy it and enjoy seeing a new version of the story.

This version of the Miracle Worker stands up quite well to the 1962 version.The story itself is so inspiring, and the principal characters are so good, that one can overlook a weak performance or two by supporting cast.The horrors of Anne Sullivan's childhood are whitewashed in this version( ie we don't learn that she was probably molested as in the 1962 film), but her character nevertheless shines through.When Helen's father suggests that perhaps the Lord did not mean for Helen to talk, Miss Sullivans reply-"I mean her to" resonates through one's being.The bible passage offered as a mealtime grace by the son near the film's conclusion is equally apt- a man wrestling all night with an angel,being wounded in his thigh, and unwilling to let go "until you bless me". We understand at once the deeper meaning of the literal wrestling that has constituted much of the film.The story remains a testimony to the human spirit that perseveres.

This movie is great for young and old. My husband and I loved it, then my daughters, ages 3 and 6, watched it. My six-year-old was fascinated by it. Even my three-year-old liked it. My older daughter is learning sign language at school, so it was really fun for her to watch the movie. They thought it was hilarious to see the naughty things the young girl did, but they liked the end how she turned in to such a nice girl. I would recommend this to anyone.

wow! i was left speechless after reading the many reviews about the disney remake of the miracle worker. i am a freshman in high school who has been studying ASL (american sign language) and Deaf history for many years. i am appalled at the viewer's reviews, however, i did spend a great deal of time laughing. i have seen both the original and the remake of this movie (havent gotten a hold of the 1979). The original was of course the ultimate. i have never been so impressed with this type of movie before then. I had just watched the sound of fury and i felt that both were fantastic even though i was definitely more partial to the miracle worker. Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan were portrayed beautifully and i distinctly remembered being fascinated with patty's consistency in not moving her eyes, giving away her acting. But you cannot be so hasty in dismissing the disney remake.Of course it will not be completely factual because disney is mainly for heartwarmig movies, not the harsh realities. It was more of a tear jerker only because it was made for children and will not express the same passion, intensity, and insensitivity that was their relationship. Pocahontas is a perfect example. its a pretty story, but not true. they did not live happily ever after. The lion king is also not the best way to explain Hamlet. But you must admit, that for a disney movie, it went just over the line, being honest with the discipline that Sullivan taught Helen. Contrary to your reviews, i very much disagree with Hallie's portrayal af Annie. she was not stiff or to prim and pretty. are you crazy?!? she lived in a time where beauty and perfection were valued highly. a respected member of society like her father was not going to have his daughter looking like an animal, though at the time, she really was, without wanting to. So she was more calm, so what? Being deaf and blind did not mean that she always acted in that fashion. Hallie's resistence was just right for the age group that the movie was really addressing. There was no way that you could have expected this to compare, at all, to the original. impossible. but that the movie was bad or even go far enough to attack their acting, is preposterous. Annie was wonderful. she didn't take the "pity-pity" that her family had for her nor did she let her walk away without having learned her lesson. Now, before i end this endless review i want to enlighten those of you who may a little in the dark. Never pity a deaf person. if you have not noticed, Deaf people have created not only their own language, but also a culture. I remember a deaf friend of mine who was pregnant. she was actually hoping for her son to be deaf. who else would want that? someone who is proud of who they were. Helen. when she grew up. travelled with Annie and taught the world about a side of deafness no one knew or didnt want to know. They arent crazy or less intelligent than any other person. Their one disability was language. Helen overcame that obstacle and became a very intelligent, inspiring, and no less crazy than you or i. my fingers hurt. i hope that you will all read this and not believe the extreme reviews (i love it!-or- i hate it!). i think it is the perfect film that gives children a taste of the story of this exceptional woman. However, at the right maturity level, the original is 100% the best.

I got this movie from the library for my 8 year old to watch and the whole family ended up watching it. I have seen some reviews saying the acting was bad. I am not sure why they thought this, but I thought it was an excellent, excellent movie. We need more movies like this today. I felt the acting was very believable and yes, she does throw tantrums. But, I suppose if I couldn't hear anyone or see anything and had no understanding of what was going on around me, I think most of us would do the same thing as a child. I highly recommend this movie to see a great part of our history!