The Diary of Anne Frank

Released Mar 18, 1959

2 hr. 36 min.

History

Drama

List

81%

21 Reviews

Tomatometer

77%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In Nazi-occupied Holland in World War II, shopkeeper Kraler hides two Jewish families in his attic. Young Anne Frank (Millie Perkins) keeps a diary of everyday life for the Franks and the Van Daans, chronicling the Nazi threat as well as family dynamics. A romance with Peter Van Daan causes jealousy between Anne and her sister, Margot. Otto Frank (Joseph Schildkraut) returns to the attic many years after the eventual capture of both families and finds his late daughter's diary.

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Red T

An All Time Classic powered by phenomenal acting and a sweeping musical score. The cinematography works beautifully. The black and white ascetics work beautifully and despite the setting being only a small attic it is extremely memorable and intimate because of how well framed shots are. Despite the editing being solid overall and the pacing very well this does have some marginal issues particularly in the first half. Things can just sort of happen with no clear idea who the main character is but there really good scenes still. Also some scenes can go on a bit too long throughout but there good scenes so its not that big a deal but it does a dd up a bit by the halfway point. The second half focuses way more on Anne and evokes a lot more emotion. This is a really sad but moving film about the coming of age, a historical account of a terrible event, and the human spirit. Everyone should see this once.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/29/23

Full Review

Cody M

A brilliant and heartbreaking retelling of one of the most tragic stories of WWII, combined with Stevens's direction, Goodrich and Hackett's script, the performances of the cast, Newman's score, Mellor's cinematography, the editing by Bretherton, Mace and Swink, Davis and Wheeler's art direction, Reiss and Scott's set decoration, LeMaire and Wills's costume design, character values and emotional weight, The Diary Of Anne Frank recreates in great detail one of WWII's most tragic moments!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/23/21

Full Review

Audience Member

Read the book. There is no substitute. As for the film, its not a true reflection of the book at they have edited parts out and added other parts. The Actress who plays Anne is not a want I see when reading the diary, other than that its okay.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This was a very great and informative movie in my opinion.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

steve d

Heartbreaking story beautifully told.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

michele a

Shelly Winters/Ed Wynn/Diane Baker

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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George Stevens

Director

Millie Perkins

Anne Frank

Joseph Schildkraut

Otto Frank

Shelley Winters

Mrs. Petronella Van Daan

Richard Beymer

Peter Van Daan

Gusti Huber

Mrs. Edith Frank

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Joe Clay

Times (UK)

The film captures the lively spirit of Anne, writing down her feelings without a hint of self-pity and always striving to look for the best in a world turned upside down.

Feb 1, 2024

Full Review

Time Out

One of those extremely long and well-meaning adaptations of plays, this doesn't really amount to very much, despite its intrinsically moving subject matter.

Jan 26, 2006

Full Review

Bosley Crowther

New York Times

Mr. Stevens has done a superb job of putting upon the screen the basic drama and shivering authenticity of the Frances Goodrich-Albert Hackett play, which in turn caught the magnitude of drama in the real-life diary of a Jewish girl.

Rated: 4/5

May 20, 2003

Full Review

Moira Walsh

The Catholic World

The movie is done with taste and skill and no little cinematic distinction.

Nov 28, 2023

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

The Diary of Anne Frank is a film that paints an intimate picture of life during the Holocaust.

Rated: 5/5

Jun 12, 2020

Full Review

Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

The film, for all its power and humanity, is too long and moves too slowly toward its inescapable ending, but it remains a prime contender for one or more Academy Awards.

Oct 18, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

In Nazi-occupied Holland in World War II, shopkeeper Kraler hides two Jewish families in his attic. Young Anne Frank (Millie Perkins) keeps a diary of everyday life for the Franks and the Van Daans, chronicling the Nazi threat as well as family dynamics. A romance with Peter Van Daan causes jealousy between Anne and her sister, Margot. Otto Frank (Joseph Schildkraut) returns to the attic many years after the eventual capture of both families and finds his late daughter's diary.

Director: George Stevens
Screenwriter: Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 18, 1959, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2013

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