The Diary of Anne Frank

What more can I say about this beloved film? It's still the most literal, well-known adaptation of Anne Frank's story, directly based on the Broadway play by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett. Director George Stevens felt a great personal need to tell this story, as his film unit, as part of the US Army Signal Corps, was the first to go into the Dachau concentration camp after it's liberation in 1945, documenting the atrocities committed there by the Nazis (much of what Stevens shot was later used as evidence during the Nuremberg trials). It was an experience which stayed with him, shaped the dark themes in later films like "Shane" and "A Place in the Sun"; and THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK was, no doubt, the culmination of an obsession to reconcile himself with those traumatic wartime memories.A lush production, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (1959) featured an amazing multi-storey set, closely modeled by art designers George W. Davis and Lyle Wheeler on the original Amsterdam hiding-place. For the terrifying bombing scenes, parts of the set were built on a platform of springs, causing the building to "lurch" and bounce as the bombs fell nearby. Three actors from the original Broadway cast of the play - Joseph Schildkraut as Otto Frank, Gusti Huber as Edith Frank, and Lou Jacobi as Mr Van Daan - were recruited to reprise their roles for the movie, and they each deliver a realism which heightens the drama immensely. Shelley Winters openly campaigned for the role of shrill Mrs Van Daan (a magnificent performance which netted the actress an Academy Award that she duly donated to the Anne Frank Museum); and Fox contract players Diane Baker and Richard Beymer played Margot and Peter. Beloved comedian Ed Wynn stunned audiences with his layered, Oscar-nominated performance as Mr Dussel. In fantastic supporting roles as the family's devoted helpers Miep and Mr Kraler are Dodie Heath and Douglas Spencer--two highly talented, versatile actors who very rarely receive their full dues when this movie is discussed--and I made certain to include them here because of that sad fact.For the plum role of Anne Frank, director Stevens launched an exhaustive, worldwide talent search. Broadway's Susan Strasberg wasn't overly interested in reprising her performance; Audrey Hepburn was approached, being a close friend of Otto Frank and later a patron of the Anne Frank Trust, but having lived through the terrible occupation of Brussels during the war, she feared it would require opening very painful old wounds. For a while it looked like a young Dutch actress named Marianne Sarstadt would play Anne; and people became rather alarmed when Stevens began considering German actress Sabine Sinjen for the role. Millie Perkins, a nineteen-year-old model from New Jersey with absolutely no acting experience, finally landed the part and ended up giving a very tender and appropriate performance, thanks in no small part to George Stevens' intense direction and the support of her co-stars. It started the young girl on a very successful acting career in movies and television, but Perkins was quoted as saying recently: "I was a star only once, and that was when I did The Diary of Anne Frank."This 50th Anniversary edition of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (ironically released close to the date of what would have been Anne's 80th birthday) boasts a wealth of all-new bonus material:*"George Stevens in WWII" featurette (comprising many pieces of colour footage from George Stevens' Signal Corps coverage)*"The Making of The Diary of Anne Frank: A Son's Memories" featurette with George Stevens Jr.*"Memories from Millie Perkins and Diane Baker" featurette (recent interviews with Perkins and Baker sharing their stories from the set)*"Shelley Winters and The Diary of Anne Frank" featurette (using 1983 interview portions from "George Stevens: A Filmmakers' Journey")*"The Sound and Music of The Diary of Anne Frank" featurette (focusing on Alfred Newman's stirring, Oscar-nominated musical score)*"The Diary of Anne Frank Correspondance" featurette (George Stevens Jr. narrates letters from his father and Otto Frank written during production of the film)*Fox Legacy with Tom Rothman (from the Fox Movie Channel)*extensive photo galleries*interactive pressbook galleryin addition to an audio commentary with Millie Perkins and George Stevens Jr. (ported over from the previous Studio Classics edition).Sadly missing from this edition is the fascinating, 90-minute Fox special "Echoes from the Past: The Diary of Anne Frank", which was the main bonus feature for the film's 2004 Studio Classics release (in addition, the Fox Movietone newsreels, press conference footage, and an excerpt from "George Stevens: A Filmmakers' Journey" are dropped as well). I'd advise people to hold onto the old disc and also double-dip for the 50th Anniversary one, because both offer some essential extras for the fans.Now, perhaps more than ever before, we need this wonderful, heartbreaking and life-affirming film. Recommended.

This is one of my favorite movies, period. I know a lot of people view this and say, 'Things were much more dire than what they show in this movie,' and they're correct. Since this movie was released, we've seen a movie such as Schindler's List come out and it paints a more realistic portrait of what happened to the Jewish community during the Holocaust. However, at the time The Diary of Anne Frank came out, people would not have been able to handle the "realistic" portrayal of Anne and her family and friends.The Diary of Anne Frank is a movie that should not be ignored. As a young person when I first saw this movie, I had the opportunity to read The Diary of Anne Frank in school. Between reading it and seeing the movie, I felt the immense sorrow and pain this particular group of people had to endure at a very horrific time in the history of mankind. To stay in hiding 24 hours a day; limited resources; seeing the same faces day-after-day; wondering about your future, daydreaming of a better time, or if you'd come out alive.I suggest you take time to read the book. [NOTE: Not the book that has updated information in it. I'm appalled that the main focus of the company who re-released it points out that Anne 'explores her sexuality.' No-no!!! Read the classic and ignore the newest version.] Then, try to see this movie. The Diary of Anne Frank is safe for children ages 11 and up. In fact, this would be a good introduction for a younger audience about the German occupation and Nazi Germany.Also of note: after seeing Anne Frank, I recommend seeing The Hiding Place (also the book of the same name) about the story of Corrie ten Boom.

I read Anne Franks diary prior to a trip to Europe and a tour of her secret annex last fall. It was a remarkable story that I hope all have, or will, read to meet the friend you wish you could have known. I was driven to read more, to include her fictional short stories and "Holocaust Memoirs" by childhood classmate (and written about in her diary under the name Lies Goosens when the diary was published) Nanette Blitz Konig, a Holocaust survivor who met Anne again in the camp shortly before Anne died. I read much about the play and this movie, so I looked forward to seeing it. This is a story written not by Anne Frank, but by a rose colored glasses wearing Hollywood B grade script writer. It is based in the loosest terms possible on her diary. I was not long into the viewing when alarm bells started in my head. I found it quite disappointing that the writers/producers ventured so far from reality to compose this highly fictional travesty. I would instead suggest you read the U.S. edition of "Anne Frank, The Diary Of A Young Girl" available from Amazon. The maroon colored paperback and the small hard cover with the four B&W photos of Anne on the cover are excellent. This edition concludes with a short history after her death and of her legacy. I strongly encourage you to read the book first, or quickly reread or skim it again, to come to know or remember Anne. If you can then close the cover on the last page with no goose bumps on your arms, or, more likely, tears on your cheeks, then you have no soul.Ship the movie, but don't miss the book.

It is said that this happened to people for a reason, but it should be. Yet, it does happen. This is an example of how innocent and how evil people can be or do.

This was very helpful for my granddaughter when she was studying the holocaust.

I watched this movie in Junior High School. It moved me SO much, even though my heritage is Norwegian. I think everyone should watch this movie!!

For just £7 this is an incredible steal.George Stevens' production is still my favourite and fortunately for Stevens' and the many fans of his work, he was over-ruled by the studio bosses to shoot the negatives in glorious Cinemascope instead of the standard format usually used for closely shot subjects. The Cinemascope format, as expected, has produced a prestine wide screen presentation. On my 50" plasma, the 3 hour film is beautifully displayed right across the screen with black bars top and bottom. Audio is crisp and well balanced providing 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio which does not spoil the feel of the film.This beautiful blu ray presentation, with lots of extra interesting and insightful features has made the story of Anne Frank even more accessible and enlightening to new and old fans alike.

I watched this on television many years ago and was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it even more this time round. An exceptional cast, especially the wonderful Millie Perkins, and a beautiful musical score by Alfred Newman. The extras on the blu-ray are fascinating and as I write this I am listening to the commentary by George Stevens Jnr and Millie Perkins. A fastastic addition to my film library. A fitting tribute to a very brave girl.

What more can be added to all the words written about Anne Frank, the diary, the books, films, television series, documentaries.... Not a lot. A wonderful film of a truly heartbreaking story, beautifully acted, and so evocative of the time and place. The film really captures the clautrophobic environment of the attic, something you really appreciate after you've visited the house, and captures the hopes & dreams of Anne,to become a famous writer, dreams that were never to be fulfilled in her lifetime, but in death, gave her a fame that will live forever.

Old classic film, with a very good set of extras, unlike some other film company's extras. To say that the director did notwant to use Cinescope on the film, it does not show at all.Just sit back and watch an old black and white film

A book every child should read.Especially German children.The Holocaust is still hidden from German children.Read