The Snake Pit (1948): Cast, Ratings & Plot
The Snake Pit is a 1948 mystery drama directed by Anatole Litvak, starring Olivia de Havilland, Leo Genn and Lee Patrick. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes. It won 1 Oscar, including Sound Recording. Critics gave it 76 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 48m (108 min)
- Director
- Anatole Litvak
- Original language
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English - Studio
- Twentieth Century Fox
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Snake Pit About?
The premise of The Snake Pit without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A woman named Virginia Cunningham finds herself in a psychiatric hospital with no memory of how she arrived. As she struggles to understand her situation, the lines between reality and illusion become increasingly blurred. Olivia de Havilland portrays Virginia in this gripping drama, while Leo Genn plays a dedicated doctor attempting to uncover the mysteries of her mind and the events leading to her confinement.
The Snake Pit Cast
Olivia de Havilland leads the cast, with Leo Genn and Lee Patrick. Directed by Anatole Litvak; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Anatole Litvak
Also Starring in The Snake Pit
· 6 moreMore from Anatole Litvak
More films directed by Anatole Litvak: The Lady in the Car with Glasses and a Gun, The Night of the Generals, Five Miles to Midnight and Goodbye Again.
The Snake Pit Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Snake Pit 76 on Metacritic.
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Metacritic 76 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 70% User score
See on TMDB
The Snake Pit Plot Summary
What happens in The Snake Pit from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the twisting hallways of Juniper Hill State Hospital, Virginia Cunningham navigates an existence steeped in uncertainty, struggling to hold on to her sense of reality. As a patient tormented by what appears to be schizophrenia, she is constantly engulfed by a discord of voices reverberating in her mind. Memories of her husband, Robert, linger like ghosts from a time when love felt real and attainable.
Flashbacks unveil the moment their paths first crossed in the vibrant streets of Chicago, where Virginia’s literary aspirations fell flat under the dismissive gaze of the publisher employing Robert. Their serendipitous meeting in a bustling cafeteria ignited a romance fraught with challenges, as Virginia would often return to his life, only to vanish without warning, leaving Robert confused and despondent.
Full summary
The whole story of The Snake Pit, scene by scene
The Snake Pit Awards & Nominations
The Snake Pit won 1 Oscar, including Sound Recording. Its biggest night was the Oscars 1949, with 1 win from 6 nominations.
1 win12 nominations3 ceremonies
-
Oscars 1949 1 win · 6 nominations- Won Sound Recording
- Nominated Actress – Olivia de Havilland
- Nominated Best Motion Picture
- Nominated Directing – Anatole Litvak
- Nominated Music (Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture)
- Oscars 1948 5 nominations
- Nominated Actress – Olivia de Havilland
- Nominated Best Motion Picture
- Nominated Directing – Anatole Litvak
- Nominated Music (Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture)
- Nominated Writing (Screenplay)
-
DGA Awards 1948 1 nomination- Nominated Feature Film – Anatole Litvak
The Snake Pit Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Snake Pit.
How Well Do You Know The Snake Pit?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the hospital where Virginia Cunningham stays?
Cars in The Snake Pit
3 cars on screen, including the 1939 Ford Transit and the unknown.
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1939 Ford Transit Minor role -
unknown Minor role -
1933 Yellow Coach 706 Minor role
The Snake Pit Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “La fosse aux serpents” and “Nido de víboras”.
- Also known as
-
- La fosse aux serpents
- Nido de víboras
- Die Schlangengrube
- La fossa dei serpenti
- Na Cova da Serpente
- 스네이크 핏
- 蛇穴
- Змеиная яма
- Groapa cu șerpi
- Ormgropen
Seen The Snake Pit?
The Snake Pit FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Snake Pit, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Snake Pit?
The Snake Pit runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).
When was The Snake Pit released?
The Snake Pit was released on November 13, 1948.
Who directed The Snake Pit?
The Snake Pit was directed by Anatole Litvak.
More films by Anatole Litvak Who is in the cast of The Snake Pit?
The Snake Pit stars Olivia de Havilland, Leo Genn and Lee Patrick, among 10 credited actors.
How is The Snake Pit rated?
The Snake Pit has 76 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.
What awards did The Snake Pit win?
The Snake Pit won 1 award from 12 nominations, including Sound Recording at the Oscars 1949.
Does The Snake Pit have a post-credit scene?
No. The Snake Pit has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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