The Snake Pit is a drama written by Frank Partos and Millen Brand and directed by Anatole Litvak. It it based off the novel Snake Pit, by Mary Jane Ward and was released on November 13, 1948. The movie stars Olivia de Havilland and Mark Stevens as married couple Virginia and Robert Cunningham. Virginia ends up in an insane asylum being treated by Doctor Mark Kik, played by Leo Genn. The problem is, Virginia has no idea how she got to the asylum. The name "the snake pit" comes from the room in the asylum where the most severe cases are put. The movie won an Oscar Award for Best Sound, Recording at the 1949 Academy Awards.

The Snake Pit tells the story of Virginia Stuart Cunningham, played by Olivia de Havilland. Virginia is married to Robert Cunningham, played by Mark Stevens. Because of her abnormal behavior, Virginia is sent to an insnae asylum, where she is treated by Dr. Mark Kik, played by Leo Genn. Her treatments consist of pyschotherapy and flashbacks to her childhood years helps her understand the reason for her mental breakdown. She eventually overcomes the abuse from other patients, gains understanding and knowledge of herself and leaves the institution. Celeste Holm plays Grace. Lee Patrick appears as an asylum inmate. Leif Erickson plas Goron and Beulah Bondi appears as Mrs. Greer.

• Olivia de Havilland as Virginia Stuart Cunningham

• Mark Stevens as Robert Cunningham

• Leo Genn as Doctor Mark Kik

• Celeste Holm as Grace

• Lee Patrick as Asylum Inmate

• Beulah Bondi as Mrs. Greer

• Leif Erickson as Gordon

"For the audience of today, the primary draw of the picture is watching Olivia de Havilland deliver a particularly terrifying performance." - Matt Bailey, Not Coming to a Theater Near Youhttp://www.notcoming.com/reviews/snakepit/?PHPSESSID=e1581fbdda32b9bae8a12ee5c717697a

"" The Snake Pit," while frankly quite disturbing, and not recommended for the weak, is a mature emotional drama on a rare and pregnant theme." - Bosley Crowther, New York Timeshttp://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9901E5DF143CE733A25756C0A9679D946993D6CF