The Snake Pit
Synopsis
Virginia Cunningham finds herself in a state insane asylum…and can’t remember how she got there. In flashback, her husband Robert relates their courtship, marriage, and her developing symptoms.
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(18)
Awards & Festivals
Venice Film Festival
1949 | 2 wins including: Best Actress (International Award)
Academy Awards
1949 | Winner: Best Sound, Recording
1949 | 5 nominations including: Best Picture
National Board of Review
1948 | 2 wins including: Best Actress
Directors Guild of America
1949 | Nominee: Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures
Critics reviews
It’s all a bit Psych 101 in its approach, further reinforced by the portrait of Sigmund Freud on Dr. Kik’s wall that looms high in the middle of the frame, paternally gazing down upon the doctor and Virginia during each of their sessions. But de Havilland’s emotionally expressive performance is so tightly controlled that she carries the film through many of its weaker stretches.
Derek Smith
May 08, 2019
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