For such an apparently polite, soft-spoken actress, Olivia de Havilland certainly received her share of juicy roles for women in Hollywood's heyday, and this melodrama is one of her finest efforts. A troubled, mentally unstable housewife is institutionalized and makes an arduous and brave journey back to reality. Frank, serious depiction of mental illness is definitely downbeat, but still ranks as one of the best movies on the subject of insanity. No camp overtones here, as the direction by Anatole Litvak (who also co-produced) is careful yet gripping, and the screenplay (by Millen Brand and Frank Partos--with uncredited help from Arthur Laurents--from Mary Jane Ward's book) is exceptionally well-written. Olivia is in peak form. *** from ****
Review of The Snake Pit
