The Diary of Anne Frank
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Movie Reviews of The Diary of Anne Frank
Movie Review: Diary of Anne Frank
Summary: 4 Stars
A plausible reconstruction of Anne Frank's WWII confinement and the ordeals the entire group dealt with.Movie Review: Effectively captures the fear of the times, but not a faithful adaptation
Summary: 3 Stars
"The Diary of Anne Frank" which was released in 1959 tells the story of a group of Dutch Jews in hiding in Amsterdam during the Nazi occupation of Holland. They are aided by some Dutch Gentile friends, Miep Gies [Dody Heath] and Mr Kraler [Douglas Spencer]. The group consists of Anne Frank [Millie Perkins], father Otto [Joseph Schildkraut], mother Edith [Gusti Huber], and sister Margot [Diane Baker], as well as the Van Daan's [Van Pels], Mrs Van Daan [Shelly Winters], Mr Van Daan[Lou Jacobi], and son Peter [Richard Beymer], and dentist Mr Dussel [Ed Wynn].
Anne keeps a diary, in which she records her feelings, longings, and experiences during this period in hiding and the movie is basically a reenactment of the events that she recorded in her diary [which was left behind when the group were arrested, kept by Miep and returned to Anne's father upon his return after the war].
What I liked about the movie was the credible depiction of the fears and frustrations of people in hiding. It was a very dangerous period for Jews during the Nazi reign in Europe in WW II, and more so for Jews in hiding [as they were effectively committing a 'crime' by Nazi standards, by evading deportation]. Anne and her group are forced to live in close quarters, and for a young girl on the cusp of womanhood, this is intolerable. Peter, Anne and Margot have to suffer the indignity of being constantly scrutinized by the adults, especially Mrs Van Daan, who is quite a domineering busybody and nag [a wonderful performance by Shelly Winters]. Anne and Peter especially suffer because they form an attachment, much to the displeasure of Mrs Van Daan.
It was apt that the movie was filmed in B&W as it effectively captures the somber atmosphere of the time, and the sound effects add to the menace and fear of the group. The fear of exposure and discovery is constantly portrayed throughout the movie, and the audience senses this all the time. I can only imagine how the actual people must have felt, having to live in constant fear like that, knowing that discovery could only mean imprisonment and even death.
However, there are problems with this movie - it is not an altogether historically accurate representation of actual events. The Franks had gone into hiding before the Van Daans, but this is portrayed otherwise in the movie. Peter Van Daan [Van Pels] was extremely shy in real life, but his demeanor is portrayed differently here, and his romance with Anne is overly exaggerated in typical Hollywood style.
I felt that another production, "Anne Frank: The Whole Story" [2001] was a more realistic and faithful adaptation of Anne's story, and it had the added benefit of covering Anne's life before she went into hiding, as well as a reenactment of what happened to the group after they were captured,their internment in the concentration camps, the deaths of the various group members, culminating in the return of Anne's father, Otto to Amsterdam after the war.
I would still recommend this movie for its production values and as another version of Anne's story [this version ends with the group's capture], but I would highly recommend "Anne Frank: The Whole Story" for a more in-depth coverage of Anne's life and death.
Movie Review: Uneven Adaptation of a Great Play
Summary: 3 Stars
"The Diary of Anne Frank," was the first movie to explore the tragedy and repercussions of Holocast in a meaningful way. Although I greatly admire George Stevens for having the courage to address such a difficult and sensitive subject in the mainstream, the movie he created is maddeningly inconsistent in quality. It seems to lack the certain spark, sincerity, and flow of the director's best work, and come to think of it, the brilliant play on which it is based. The movie is hurt severely by Millie Perkins, who is whiney and lifeless in the crucial title role. Of all the worthy talent out there (including Susan Strasberg, who originated the role on Broadway), why did they have to pick someone who was not only inadequate, but 10 years to old for the part. Additionally, Richard Beymer is so comatose as her love interest Peter Van Daan that he might as well be constructed of driftwood, and the whole drama is dragged on for such a long period of time that the ending is almost anticlimatic. On the positive side, Joseph Schildkraut and Lou Jacobi recreate the roles they held on Broadway with conviction and gusto, and Shelly Winters won an Oscar for her delightful performance as Mrs. Van Daan. The screanplay by Albert Hacket and Francis Goodrich is also frequently moving. Not a bad showing, but hardly the classic it could have potentially been.
Movie Review: Great Movie, but forget about the language dubbing!
Summary: 3 Stars
What can I say about this movie that others have not already said?! Except, that if you are interested in listening to it in Spanish or French, FORGET IT! The DVD's label (as well as Amazon's DVD's Details) states that it is dubbed in Spanish and French. THIS IS FALSE! The DVD's menu has no option for selecting the language. For this reason, I give it 3 stars instead of 4.SHAME ON YOU FOX!
Movie Review: The Diary of Anne Frank
Summary: 3 Stars
This is the original film, circa 1959. It closely follows the play. It's a bit cold and rigid, with the actors delivering their lines stiffly. I was especially interested in Otto Frank since I was recently cast in that part for the theatre version. I found Ben Kingsley's version in the remake of the late 90's to be much more real, but I'm glad I watched this version too.