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Disney's The Miracle Worker
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
"The Miracle Worker" is the story of Helen Keller (Hallie Kate Eisenberg - the "Pepsi" girl). The difference here is that it's a version Disney produced for television, meaning that things are compressed into 90 minutes. Disney's version may lose some things in the transition, but at least a very fine cast was brought together and the production values are quite good for a telefilm.
Eisenberg plays the blind and deaf Keller, a blind and deaf child who is unable to communicate, but makes her feelings known through grunts and anger. Both her father and mother are supportive of trying to get help for their daughter, although they are aware that a cure doesn't exist. Her brother James (Lucas Black of "All The Pretty Horses"), is jealous of the attention and skeptical when Mrs. Anne Sullivan (Allison Elliot of "Wings of the Dove") is brought in to make some attempts to draw the girl out and teach her to communicate in other ways with those around her. Although the struggle between the two to help Helen might be of interest, but things become repetitive as they fight and fight again.
Again, the acting is generally fine. Elliot is easily the most impressive as the stern Sullivan. Eisenberg isn't bad as Keller, but I think there's likely better young actresses, although they may not have the draw of the girl from the Pepsi ads. Technically, "The Miracle Worker" is above average for a television picture. Christopher Hargadon's costume design is very good, with fine period attire. I also enjoyed the golden tones of David Parker's cinematography, as well as the detailed sets of production designer Lindsey Hermer-Bell.
Certainly, this isn't the best version of the award-winning play ever, but overall, I think my expectations were exceeded a good part of the time.
The DVD
VIDEO: This is a very pleasant if unremarkable full_frame presentation - as a television film, this is the original aspect ratio. Although the picture has a rather soft "period" feel, sharpness and detail remained very good, even in dimly lit interiors.
Some minor flaws popped up throughout the movie. Slight instances of edge enhancement and pixelation were visible, although neither really took away from the experience of watching the movie. There were one or two small speckles visible, but print flaws were otherwise absent from the proceedings. Colors appeared lovely, as the golden cinematography captures the rich, warm colors perfectly.
SOUND: The film is presented in stereo and is entirely dialogue-driven, with only some slight music on occasion. There's very little going on, nor did I really expect anything from the film's audio. Audio quality seemed fine, with dialogue coming through clearly.
MENUS:: Menus are non-animated, with film-themed backgrounds.
EXTRAS: Nothing.
Final Thoughts: Although this is a slightly above-average picture with some very good actors, "The Miracle Worker" unfortunately doesn't offer that much in the DVD department. Possibly worth a rental.
"The Miracle Worker" is the story of Helen Keller (Hallie Kate Eisenberg - the "Pepsi" girl). The difference here is that it's a version Disney produced for television, meaning that things are compressed into 90 minutes. Disney's version may lose some things in the transition, but at least a very fine cast was brought together and the production values are quite good for a telefilm.
Eisenberg plays the blind and deaf Keller, a blind and deaf child who is unable to communicate, but makes her feelings known through grunts and anger. Both her father and mother are supportive of trying to get help for their daughter, although they are aware that a cure doesn't exist. Her brother James (Lucas Black of "All The Pretty Horses"), is jealous of the attention and skeptical when Mrs. Anne Sullivan (Allison Elliot of "Wings of the Dove") is brought in to make some attempts to draw the girl out and teach her to communicate in other ways with those around her. Although the struggle between the two to help Helen might be of interest, but things become repetitive as they fight and fight again.
Again, the acting is generally fine. Elliot is easily the most impressive as the stern Sullivan. Eisenberg isn't bad as Keller, but I think there's likely better young actresses, although they may not have the draw of the girl from the Pepsi ads. Technically, "The Miracle Worker" is above average for a television picture. Christopher Hargadon's costume design is very good, with fine period attire. I also enjoyed the golden tones of David Parker's cinematography, as well as the detailed sets of production designer Lindsey Hermer-Bell.
Certainly, this isn't the best version of the award-winning play ever, but overall, I think my expectations were exceeded a good part of the time.
The DVD
VIDEO: This is a very pleasant if unremarkable full_frame presentation - as a television film, this is the original aspect ratio. Although the picture has a rather soft "period" feel, sharpness and detail remained very good, even in dimly lit interiors.
Some minor flaws popped up throughout the movie. Slight instances of edge enhancement and pixelation were visible, although neither really took away from the experience of watching the movie. There were one or two small speckles visible, but print flaws were otherwise absent from the proceedings. Colors appeared lovely, as the golden cinematography captures the rich, warm colors perfectly.
SOUND: The film is presented in stereo and is entirely dialogue-driven, with only some slight music on occasion. There's very little going on, nor did I really expect anything from the film's audio. Audio quality seemed fine, with dialogue coming through clearly.
MENUS:: Menus are non-animated, with film-themed backgrounds.
EXTRAS: Nothing.
Final Thoughts: Although this is a slightly above-average picture with some very good actors, "The Miracle Worker" unfortunately doesn't offer that much in the DVD department. Possibly worth a rental.
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