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Biographical drama

The Miracle Worker (1962): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Miracle Worker (1962) movie poster

The Miracle Worker is a 1962 biographical drama directed by Arthur Penn, starring Inga Swenson, Victor Jory and Patty Duke. It is partly based on The Story of My Life by Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and earned $4,139 worldwide. It won 2 Oscars, including Actress and Actress in a Supporting Role, and 3 awards in all. Critics gave it 83 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$4.1K
Oscars won
2
Metascore
83
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The Miracle Worker (1962) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Director
Arthur Penn
Genres
Biography , Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Miracle Worker About?

The premise of The Miracle Worker without spoilers, adapted from The Story of My Life by Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A young girl is both blind and deaf, making communication with the outside world incredibly difficult. As a result, she has become increasingly frustrated and displays violent behavior. Her parents, searching for a solution beyond institutionalization, bring in Anne Sullivan, a determined teacher who strives to reach the girl and unlock her ability to connect with the world around her.

The Miracle Worker Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • blindness
  • deafness
  • 1880s
  • tutor
  • boston massachusetts
  • national film registry
  • communication
  • mother daughter relationship
  • brother sister relationship
  • alabama
  • catholic
  • f rated
+38 more
  • speech lesson
  • visual impairment
  • deafblindness
  • screenplay adapted by author
  • based on tv movie
  • actress recreates her stage role
  • massachusetts
  • based on play by same name
  • based on biography
  • domestic drama
  • scene before opening credits
  • suitcase
  • culture clash
  • period drama
  • dead brother
  • sense of touch
  • learning sign language
  • learning to communicate
  • braille
  • half brother half sister relationship
  • locked room
  • irish accent
  • jealousy
  • cottage
  • dictionary
  • skeleton key
  • kiss on cheek
  • remake by original director
  • deaf girl
  • teacher
  • dog
  • child
  • train
  • doctor
  • etiquette
  • stubbornness
  • father son relationship
  • civil war veteran
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Cast & crew

The Miracle Worker Cast

Inga Swenson leads the cast, with Victor Jory and Patty Duke. Directed by Arthur Penn; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Arthur Penn

More films directed by Arthur Penn, best-rated first: Bonnie and Clyde, Night Moves, Little Big Man and The Missouri Breaks.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Miracle Worker Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Miracle Worker 83 on Metacritic.

Plot

The Miracle Worker Plot Summary

What happens in The Miracle Worker from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

On a fateful night in 1882, within the confines of the Keller household in Alabama, a sense of dread envelops Captain and Mrs. Keller as they anxiously await the results of their baby’s illness. A doctor, after examining their infant daughter, finally smiles and reassures the relieved parents that their child will recover. With joy in their hearts, the couple begins to celebrate, but the moment is abruptly shattered when Mrs. Keller, Inga Swenson, catches a strange glimpse of her daughter’s face and, filled with fear, calls for Captain Keller, played by Victor Jory. The shocking truth is soon revealed: their baby, now named Helen, is tragically blind and deaf due to her illness.

Full summary

The whole story of The Miracle Worker, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Miracle Worker Box Office

The Miracle Worker grossed $4,139 worldwide.

1962 box office

Worldwide gross

$4.1K

International
$4.1K
Awards

The Miracle Worker Awards & Nominations

The Miracle Worker won 2 Oscars, including Actress and Actress in a Supporting Role, and 3 awards in all. Its biggest night was the Oscars 1963, with 2 wins from 5 nominations.

3 wins11 nominations4 ceremonies

Videos

The Miracle Worker Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

THE MIRACLE WORKER (Eureka Classics) New & Exclusive HD Trailer
  • Trailer The Miracle Worker (1962) Original Trailer [FHD]
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Miracle Worker?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In what year does the story of Helen Keller begin?

Details

The Miracle Worker Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “El milagro de Anna Sullivan” and “Ana de los milagros”.

Also known as
  • El milagro de Anna Sullivan
  • Ana de los milagros
  • O Milagre de Anne Sullivan
  • Helen Kellers triumf
  • Ihmeidentekijä
  • Miracle en Alabama
  • To thavma tis Annie Sullivan
  • A csodatevő
  • Anna dei miracoli
  • 미라클 워커
  • 奇迹创造者
  • Licht im Dunkel
+11 more
  • El milagro de Ana Sullivan
  • מחוללת הניסים
  • Karanlığın İçinden
  • Сотворившая чудо
  • Cudotwórczyni
  • Το θαύμα της Άννι Σάλιβαν
  • Stebukladarė
  • Divotvůrkyně
  • Miraklet
  • El miracle d’Anna Sullivan
  • 奇跡の人

Seen The Miracle Worker?

FAQ

The Miracle Worker FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of The Miracle Worker, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Miracle Worker?

The Miracle Worker runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was The Miracle Worker released?

The Miracle Worker was released on July 28, 1962.

Who directed The Miracle Worker?

The Miracle Worker was directed by Arthur Penn.

More films by Arthur Penn

Who is in the cast of The Miracle Worker?

The Miracle Worker stars Inga Swenson, Victor Jory and Patty Duke, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Miracle Worker make at the box office?

The Miracle Worker grossed $4,139 worldwide.

How is The Miracle Worker rated?

The Miracle Worker has 83 on Metacritic and 78% on TMDB.

Is The Miracle Worker based on a book?

Yes. The Miracle Worker is partly adapted from The Story of My Life by Helen Keller, Anne Sullivan and John Albert Macy.

What awards did The Miracle Worker win?

The Miracle Worker won 3 awards from 11 nominations, including Actress at the Oscars 1963.

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