The Snake Pit Details

In its day, this was a truly harrowing and extremely controversial adaptation of Mary Jane Ward's semi-autobiographical novel about life in a mental institution. In Britain, the film was perceived to be so disturbing that it suffered from over-zealous censor cuts. Here, in a complete version, the film still retains its power to shock, and, although the medical department may seem slightly antiquated, the performances of the women inmates are still incredibly moving, particularly Olivia de Havilland in the lead, and Celeste Holm, Beulah Bondi and a young Betsy Blair in support. The sequence where they sing Going Home is still deeply touching. Anatole Litvak's direction may seem on the strident side, but there's no denying this film's power and impact.

A headline-hitting film which made a stirring plea for more sympathetic treatment of mental illness. Very well made, and arrestingly acted, but somehow nobody's favourite movie.