The Snake Pit

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The Snake Pit

1948,

1h 48m,

Drama

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Watchlist

100%

9 Reviews

Tomatometer

84%

2,500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

In this psychological drama, Virginia Cunningham is confused upon finding herself in a mental hospital, with no memory of her arrival at the institution. Tormented by delusions and unable to even recognize her husband, Robert, she is treated by Dr. Mark Kik, who is determined to get to the root of her mental illness. As her treatment progresses, flashbacks depict events in Virginia's life that may have contributed to her instability.

THR Staff

The Hollywood Reporter

Nov 5, 2018

It makes no compromise with the shocking facts as presented in the novel. The result is a drama that builds to a fever pitch of tension and holds itself there with superlative artistry.

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Feb 9, 2006

It's entertaining enough in a hysterical sort of way, even if it never matches up to the excesses of Fuller's later Shock Corridor.

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Nell Dodson Russell

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

Jan 15, 2022

This powerful film packs such a dramatic wallop that I don't recommend it to highly nervous or emotionally excitable people.

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Elsa Branden

Photoplay

Aug 20, 2021

3/3

Occasionally, a picture comes along so powerful in its impact that it leaves you gasping. The Snake Pit, taken from the novel of writer Mary Jane Ward, belongs in that category.

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Tom Meek

Cambridge Day

Aug 7, 2020

3.5/4

...where grim scenes of rec room madness are cemented by the excellent and vast supporting cast.

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Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

Dec 5, 2016

6/10

[Olivia] de Havilland does as much as she can with what she's given.

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Kylo R

Feb 5, 2019

one of the best films from that decade to come out in my opinion amazing acting story and altogether just a well put together film

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Hermione P

Aug 24, 2018

The Snake Pit is at times a bit too simplified, but mostly a realistic, sophisticated and groundbreaking movie when it comes to its subject of mental health. It's a dramatic and highly difficult to watch, but necessary and important look at 40s mental asylums with strong direction, script, pacing and a phenomenal score and cinematography. The standout is of course reliably amazing Olivia de Havilland who owns her immensely difficult role and gives what might be her career-best performance.

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Hagrid G

Jul 7, 2018

A great early movie about mental health and institutions. Very thought-provoking. The topics it deals with, such as childhood trauma and how to care for patients, are still and will always be relevant.

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Luke G

Oct 25, 2012

A journey through the mind of a mental patient. A true tour de force for Havilland. It also has some powerful learning moments for parents. The different wards had fabulous actors of different levels of insanity. A powerful movie. The desperate plight of this patients is shocking and convincing. 1001 movies to see before you die.

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Luke M

Apr 27, 2010

I'm not sure what people see in this. I was bored out of my mind. (First and only viewing - 12/12/2014)

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Anatole Litvak

Director

Olivia de Havilland

Virginia Stuart Cunningham

Mark Stevens

Robert Cunningham

Leo Genn

Dr. Mark Kik

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Synopsis

In this psychological drama, Virginia Cunningham is confused upon finding herself in a mental hospital, with no memory of her arrival at the institution. Tormented by delusions and unable to even recognize her husband, Robert, she is treated by Dr. Mark Kik, who is determined to get to the root of her mental illness. As her treatment progresses, flashbacks depict events in Virginia's life that may have contributed to her instability.

Director: Anatole Litvak
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 13, 1948, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 48m

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