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The Snake Pit

Play trailer Poster for The Snake Pit 1948 1h 48m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
In this psychological drama, Virginia Cunningham (Olivia de Havilland) 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 (Mark Stevens), she is treated by Dr. Mark Kik (Leo Genn), 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.
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The Snake Pit

Critics Reviews

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THR Staff The Hollywood Reporter 11/05/2018
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. Go to Full Review Geoff Andrew Time Out 02/09/2006
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. Go to Full Review Nell Dodson Russell Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder 01/15/2022
This powerful film packs such a dramatic wallop that I don't recommend it to highly nervous or emotionally excitable people. Go to Full Review Elsa Branden Photoplay 08/20/2021
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. Go to Full Review Tom Meek Cambridge Day 08/07/2020
3.5/4
...where grim scenes of rec room madness are cemented by the excellent and vast supporting cast. Go to Full Review Tim Brayton Antagony & Ecstasy 12/05/2016
6/10
[Olivia] de Havilland does as much as she can with what she's given. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Leaburn O Nov 17 A solid golden age classic about a mental health hospital. Highlighting the crude use of electric shock therapy that used to be standard practice in institutions back in the day. It is a bit overwrought at times but generally Olivia de Havilland is excellent. Watched on DVD. See more Melissa L @Agent99 Aug 8 Poignant story about a mentally ill woman who is institutionalized. The ending was a happy one, though. See more Deke P 09/09/2023 epic mental asylum movie. Starring Olivia DeHavilland, who played Melanie in GWTW. Very long. Saw it on the telly 9.8.23, Note to sef, pay more attention to parts next time, if there is one. See more Georgan G 06/20/2023 This classic was made long before the public knew much about mental illness. And it ended up helping laws change re treatment. de Havilland's acting was superb and gave the lead character true depth. See more Steve M 05/01/2023 What if you woke up and you were in the nut house? and you didn't remember how you got there or where you lived before. Pretty scary. Well done movie shows how the doctor digs into her past to see what caused her problems. See more 02/20/2022 I loved the book, liked the movie version. Olivia de Havilland, wow- did such an AMAZING job playing the lead I couldn't take my eyes off her. Her acting, expressions, everything. See more Read all reviews
The Snake Pit

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Snake Pit

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Movie Info

Synopsis In this psychological drama, Virginia Cunningham (Olivia de Havilland) 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 (Mark Stevens), she is treated by Dr. Mark Kik (Leo Genn), 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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