The Diary of Anne Frank

Rating:
Summary: Classic Film...Poor Lead for Anne
Review: George Steven's production of "The Diary of Anne Frank" is in every way a classic film....except for one thing: The casting of Millie Perkins as Anne. Horribly miscast, her characterization of who was supposed to be a sweet young girl comes off as obnoxious and annoying. Her voice overs are completely wooden....with no emotion. Her portrayal is irritating and failed to illicit any sympathy from me for her dilemma. Much more fascinating is the exceptional cast that surrounds Perkins. Joseph Schildkraut as Mr. Frank, the father is perfect as the sounding voice of reason throughout the film. His portrayal is heartbreaking. Equally fine is Gusti Huber as Mrs. Frank....she's outstanding in every way but especially in the scene where she discovers Mr. Van Dann stealing the food and demands that they leave. Shelley Winters is properly irritating as Mrs. Van Dann but that is as it should be. But I think Huber deserved the Oscar that Winters won. Richard Beymer is also excellent as Peter Van Dann but there is no chemistry between him and Perkins because Perkins is just downright terrible as Anne. Beymer is much better with the other actors. The rest of the cast is excellent in every way and the production values are top notch, particularly the musical score and cinematography. The movie is suspenseful even though one knows the inevitable outcome. One thing is never made clear, though. Towards the end, when Dussell is having coniption fits about the incessant ringing of the phone.....it is never revealed if Miep was in fact calling to try to warn them...or if the office was being called by the Gestapo. All Miep says at the end is that she had gone to the country that day to find food. But why weren't she and Kruller arrested after that for hiding the fugitives?? That was never made clear either. All in all, overlooking Perkin's performance as Anne, the movie is a classic in every way! Enjoy!! You won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Anne Frank the Film
Review: Is a very interesting adaptation of this famous Diary, that shows the life of Anne and her family, when they were hide from Nazis on WWII. I recommend it. Canadian and mexican customers, be careful, neither spanish or french audio tracks were included, but you can select the subtitles.

Rating:
Summary: Uneven Adaptation of a Great Play
Review: "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.


Rating:
Summary: Gorgeous New Transfer
Review: For those of you who may be reluctant to buy this because of the specifications listed on the back of the box, let me set your mind at ease. While the box states Widescreen format (Aspect Ratio 2.35:1), it is actually anamorphically (16x9) enhanced. And even though it states English stereo, it is actually dolby digital 4.0 There is no English mono or Spanish and French language tracks. And the commentary track includes Millie Perkins even though she's not listed. The movie looks beautiful and sounds great!

Rating:
Summary: This is the definitive movie for Anne's Diary
Review: *** SPOILER if you have not read the diary or seen any of its movies yet

Absolutely no scene in movie history is as simultaneously gripping and gently conveyed as the final scene, when Peter Van Damme and Anne Frank hold hands and look out to the sky as the Gestapo beat down their door to take them to a death camp. The adults look down in the direction of the door and stand or sit still and wait for them to enter, resigned to the fact that they just can not escape the fate that the Nazis have assigned to them.

Nobody runs or even speaks, and Otto Frank puts down the newspaper and hands his wife her bag, as if they are going on a trip. Such small simple movments convey such finality for these 7 people who have shared the unimaginable experience of being caged liked animals to escape being killed like animals, because one man in power decided people of their religion and race should not live.

That scene says more than a million car chases and explosions. Watch it and see what I mean.