Gripping look at the inside of a mental institution
“The Snake Pit,” based on the best-selling novel by Mary Jane Ward, is a dramatic look at the treatment of patients in mental institutions in the 1940s. Virginia Cunningham (Olivia de Havilland) is suddenly exhibiting erratic behavior and mood swings from happy and cheerful to morose and paranoid. Her loving husband, Robert (Mark Stevens), realizes that she needs more help than he can give her and places her in an asylum. There, those who are supposed to look out for the welfare of the patients range from compassionate to disrespectful to authoritarian. The patients are at the mercy of their caretakers, good and bad.<br /><br />The kind, thoughtful Dr. Mark Kik (Leo Genn) takes a special interest in Virginia’s case and devotes considerable time to her, despite overcrowding and understaffing. His tenderness is a balm, since other workers treat her as one in a herd of crazies to be told what to do and when to do it. Dr. Kik’s attention helps Virginia cope with the impersonalization of the institution and its rigid rules.<br /><br />Ms. de Havilland delivers a superb performance as the confused Virginia. Director Anatole Litvak ordered that she be filmed without make-up and de-glamorized as much as possible. When we first see her sitting on a bench, staring blankly, it’s something of a shock. Her hair is disheveled, there’s a wide run in one of her stockings, and a gaping hole in the sleeve of her sweater. This is not the way female stars of the era were usually presented. With an expression that changes from sweet to volatile, she conveys inner turmoil through a distressed look that combines fogginess with pathos. Flashbacks to Virginia’s life before she was sent to the mental hospital show the actress’ ability to portray both a normal, happy young woman and a deeply troubled soul.<br /><br />In one sequence, an abusive nurse tries to undermine Virginia because she resents the attention Dr. Kik is giving her. By taunting her until she responds with an outburst, the nurse manufactures a rationale for having her straitjacketed and relegated to the “snake pit,” where patients beyond help are sent. This confrontation is gripping, but even more intense scenes follow as Virginia undergoes hydrotherapy in ice water baths and electroshock therapy, both standard treatments of the period.<br /><br />Most people in the 1940s were unaware of what goes on in mental hospitals. This film was their first exposure to what a state mental institution was like, and it was instrumental in motivating reforms in many states. Still powerful today, the movie has the feel of real-life horror as the viewer takes a dark physical and mental journey with Virginia. Her condition is never spelled out, perhaps so as not to bog down the movie with medical jargon.<br /><br />The screenplay by Frank Partos and Millen Brand uses first-person narrative. With steadfast determination, Virginia struggles to regain her mental health but faces challenges posed by the very institution that’s supposed to cure her. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Director.
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This title falls under the categories of Movies & TV, Featured Categories, Blu-ray and Performing Arts. 
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 {"Product Dimensions": "7.48 x 5.51 x 0.39 inches; 2.93 Ounces", "Media Format": "Blu-ray", "Actors": "Olivia De Havilland", "Studio": "Powerhouse Films", "Number of discs": "1"}

Here is a brief synopsis of the title : Shocking and highly controversial at the time of release, The Snake Pit broke new ground in Hollywood cinema for its depiction of mental illness and its treatment. Olivia de Havilland (Gone with the Wind; The Heiress), delivers an astounding performance as a young bride who suffers a breakdown and finds herself committed to an asylum.Director Anatole Litvak (Sorry, Wrong Number; Anastasia) had to fight to persuade producer Darryl Zanuck to back the film, but the result remains one of the most potent and powerful films to tackle the subject and was an influence on later works such as Sam Fuller’s Shock Corridor (1963), Robert Rossen’s Lilith (1964) and Miloš Forman’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975). Extras - Indicator Limited Edition Blu-Ray Special Features:4K remaster from original negativeOriginal mono audioAudio commentary with author and film historian Aubrey SolomonsThe Battles of Olivia de Havilland (2019): critic and film historian Pamela Hutchinson discusses the revered actor’s illustrious careerNeil Sinyard on ‘The Snake Pit’ (2019): A new appreciation by the author and film historianTheatrical trailerImage gallery: On-set and promotional photographyNew and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearingLimited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Lindsay Hallam, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film creditsWorld premiere on Blu-rayAll extras subject to change.