The Snake Pit

The Snake Pit
by Anatole Litvak

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DVD Cover Information

Actor: Celeste Holm, Glenn Langan, Leo Genn, Mark Stevens, Olivia de Havilland
Director: Anatole Litvak
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; Spanish (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Black & White, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 107 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-06-01
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Movie Reviews of The Snake Pit

Movie Review: de Havilland is Superb
Summary: 3 Stars

I would recommend this film for classic film fans only--and even then, I was disappointed.

The film opens in an amazing scene: the beautiful, yet tormented looking, Virginia seems to awaken from some sleep or haze on a park bench. She hears a voice. She is not quite sure where she is, or what she is doing...The mystery of it all draws you into this truly amazing story.

We learn where Virginia is, but not why she is there just yet. She is in a state mental hospital. Via a flashback of her husband's recount of their relationship we learn why he put her here.

Then the movie turns into a psychoanalyst-lover's dream. A little too textbook for my taste: everything is linked to a traumatic childhood, unreasonable guilt, and a lack of love. Transference and hysterical bouts sensationalize this tale a bit, too.

I will say that the film's treatment of state hospitals was not a damning one. It just put it out there; in no way did I get the sense that this was to condemn the establishment. This is merely the way it was--and this is truly fascinating.

The end is as sappy as you can get: the heart tugging rendition of "Goin' Home" where everyone joins in, Virginia's recovery and her determination to take care of herself now that Dr. Kik gave her the tools, and even her ability to get through to Hester (who seems catatonic at times, yet also a bit of a strangler). Isn't it touching?

This film was very good and interesting in some aspects, but lousy in others. I love Olivia, and it isn't her fault for the lulls. It is an interesting movie that should be seen, but I do not know how often I will return to it.

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Summary of The Snake Pit

Virginia Cunningham (de havilland) appeared to have had an idyllic life - a nice home, a loving husband and prospects for a sriting career. But, something just wasn't right. Confusion, doubts about her husband's love, even violent outbursts led Virginia to be confined in a mental institution. She is put through a series of brutal treatments, including being forced into close quarters with patients whose disorders far exceed her own. The belief - the shock of the experience will return her to sanity.

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