Rating: 
Summary: A very good history movie
Review: The half of one century had past away after WW2. We read the book "Anne Frank's Diary", also we watched the movie Anne Frank right now. This is very good history movie. I think Millie Perkins as Anne Frank was very good. I love the thirteen years old girl. I think Joseph Schuildkraut as Otto Frank was wonderful and Ed Wynn as Albert Dussel was great. Mr.Van Daan, Mrs.Van Daan, Mrs.Frank, Margot, etc every actor who performs in the movie had own character. This is a reason how successful it is. Richard Beymer as Peter Van Daan was okay, but he was too old and to refined for the part. He really like twenty five years old youny guy. We want to see boy in the movie. We knew movies almost was shrinking from the books. But I think some dialogue is important to show how change is her.That should keep on the movie. Anyway I like the movie. It is really emotional.So I'll "scare" to watch again.
Rating: 
Summary: A fan of "The Diary of Anne Frank"
Review: I thought this movie was expectionally wonderful. I especially recommend the movie to people who are interested in the Holocaust or Anne Frank. I loved the movie the first time I saw it, but I also have my musings over some of the scenes. I thought Millie Perkins as Anne Frank was good, but she was too old and too refined for the part. I thought Joseph Schuildkraut as Otto Frank was wonderful, Richard Beymer as Peter van Daan with a real talent for acting. Ed Wynn as Albert Dussel was great! And Shelley Winters as Petronella van Daan was amazing. Although I love the movie, I have also read Anne Frank's diary, and I thought too many parts from the diary was omitted from the movie. The movie didn't strengthen the stressful points that Anne penned in her diary. For example, how much Anne really despised her roomate, Mr. Dussel, wasn't evidently shown in the movie. Also, Anne mentioned so many dreams and hopes in her diary. I think there's about four or five scenes in the movie with Anne alone with her diary. Anne Frank's diary centered around the Secret Annex with her parents, Margot, the van Daans, and Peter. The movie alone was too general. And also why was not Mr. Kleiman and Bep Voskujil portrayed in the movie? But I really like the movie, and I recommend it, though. I have always been interested in Anne Frank, and I think the movie intensified it.
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant & masterful Holocaust film
Review: Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel once wrote that dramatizing the Holocaust was a futile task, not because dramatization could not be done, but because any such attempt would trivialize the evil inherent in the Nazi persecution of the Jews. Wiesel had good reason for his belief, having directly experienced what circumstances were like at the Auschwitz death camp.In one sense I agree with Wiesel; however, I also agree with those, such as director George Stevens, who believed that dramatization served the critical purpose of informing the public of what occurred during the Nazi era. Further, as Otto Frank maintained, it was important that audiences realized that what his family and other Jewish people endured was not something restricted to Jews, but was, rather, an object lesson for the persecution of all people forced to endure the tyranny of genocidal regimes. In a sense, therefore, it's inevitable that Stevens' filming of 'The Diary of Anne Frank' both failed and succeeded. It failed in that it commercialized the Holocaust, as every dramatic production is forced to do. But it succeeded in its educational mission, especially considering that at the time of its release in 1959, few people were aware of Anne Frank's diary, or of the Holocaust generally. Seeing the film today, it is still a powerful experience. Admittedly, as an aspect of its commercial treatment, certain elements were introduced that either were not in the original diary ---- such as the stealing of bread by Albert Dussell (pseudonym of Friedrich Pfeffer) ---- or were exaggerated for dramatic reasons (the love interest between Anne and Peter Van Dann). But the overall power of the basic situation ---- the intense atmosphere of tension and claustrophobia ---- and the story of Anne Frank's adolescent transformation and her growing awareness of the transformation of Dutch society through Nazi oppression ---- gives us a window on the Holocaust which is unique. The film, like the diary, holds up a mirror of conscience in what must have seemed at the time to be a world of sprawling insanity. Anne Frank triumphs, as the Nazis emphatically did not, in transcending the contradictions within herself, and as a consequence her idealism shines through at the end (even if this, too, was exaggerated for cinematic reasons). Millie Perkins, who plays Anne in the film, has sometimes been slighted for her ostensibly awkward performance, but I believe this is a cynical and unjust criticism. For one thing, Perkins was not a trained actress, but rather a model who happened to have the right look and personality for the part. But as both the documentary and one of the other supplements on this DVD point out, this was precisely why George Stevens chose her for the role. He wanted an unknown actress, not a professional who would 'impose' her persona on the character. He believed ---- and I think correctly ----- that her look of innocence, and aura of adolescent idealism, were perfect for what he desired, and it's ultimately these qualities which impress us by their contrast with the horrific circumstances that surrounded her. The other cast members are also superb. Though Shelley Winters won an Oscar as Best Supporting Actress, virtually all the actors, especially Joseph Schildkraut and Ed Wynn, are equally brilliant. In fact, Schildkraut not only physically resembled Otto Frank, but, according to Anne Frank's cousin (interviewed as part of the accompanying documentary, 'Echoes of the Past'), was also similar to him in terms of personality and demeanor. Wynn, for his part, turns in an amazingly convincing performance in a serious role, playing completely against type. Whatever the liberties taken by the screenplay writers for 'Diary,' the film remains faithful to the core experiences related in Anne Frank's journal ---- both to her inner emotions and conflicts with her family, and to her widening awareness of her family's place in the overall scheme of Nazi terror. The fact that this DVD transfers the film in such superior video and audio quality, and adds several excellent supplements (including a first-rate 90-minute documentary), makes this disc a fine addition to anyone's video collection.
Rating:
Summary: A good movie for a lot of reasons, but a so-so movie, too
Review: The Diary of Anne Frank is a good movie that easily draws the viewer into the trapped world of the Franks, the VanDanns, and Mr. Dussel; however if you've read the book you'll notice several important scenes have been deleted to fascilitate screen production. I won't wreck the book for you, but there are also annoying parts of the movie which are worth pointing out. 1) Millie Perkins: she is okay as Anne Frank but she is too pretty and old-looking (like she's in her mid-20s) to be the person she is supposedly portraying (a 15 year old). The producers took a story of an actual little girl and replaced her with a slick, foxy vixen. Also, her voice-over monologue gets annoying because her cadence is that of a person who believes her listeners won't understand english unless it's given to them in a slow, cutey-pie voice that's begging you to go "awwwe, I feel so sorry for her." The producers didn't need to do this, because Anne Frank's story is inherently heartbreaking. 2) The people that the Franks live with (except for Peter VanDann) are a**holes: Mr. and Mrs. VanDann and Mr. Dussell come of as annoying, slovenly, selfish slobs. Of course no one can blame the actors, since, if the director (Stevens) asked them to act like jerks, they were magnificent. Shelley Winters is marvelous as a materialistic, crass busy-body who is so low-class that she makes hillbillies look like charm school graduates. Mr. VanDann reminds me of a big, loud guy in a room that has his two cents to say about everything, and everything that comes out of his mouth is condescending. Mr. Dussell is such an a**hole that all throughout the movie I just wanted to throw him out the window. I guess, in retrospect, the director's tactics were effective because he showed just how sickening people can get when they're cooped up together for a long time, but still... When these people are supposedly "good", it would be nice to see them behave in a way that makes the viewer admire or like them. Of all the people in the attic, only the Franks and Peter got my sympathy -- the VanDanns and Mr. Dussell just made me angry. All in all, this movie is good, but in many ways in might p--s you off. The annoying behavior of some of the key players is not alleviated, because they almost never showcase any behavior which is even remotely charming or likeable.
Rating:
Summary: Dairy of Anne Frank
Review: The Dairy of Anne Frank is a movie about a family and their struggle to survive during World War II. During this time the Frank family including the Van Danns', and Dr. Dussle must learn to work together so that they are not caught by the Nazi party, lead by Adolf Hitler. In Amsterdam, Holland the group of people live in a tightly squished annex room in Mr. Franks building. With the help of Meip and Mr. Krawler, both good friends of Mr. Frank, they help them hide. During the long months there are fights, discussions, and celebrations.
The movie was very good and there are many events to support this in my opinion. I love the suspense in his story because it makes you want to keep on watching. The movie also has great sound effects like the footsteps, police sirens, and the gun shooting. The acting was ok. There were some dramatic techniques and events that where mesmerizing and unpredictable.
A few things I disliked about the movie was when the cat was always a threat to the family and the rest of the group, because he would make noise. I also did not like it when the Gestapo had come into the building and knocked down the bookcase. If only the cat wasn't there they might never have been caught.
One connection between the movie and the play was that the dialogue was almost the same. Some of the things that were in the movie were not in the play. Like some of the violence. A scene would be the sh
Rating:
Summary: A very good history movie
Review: The half of one century had past away after WW2. We read the book "Anne Frank's Diary", also we watched the movie Anne Frank right now. This is very good history movie. I think Millie Perkins as Anne Frank was very good. I love the thirteen years old girl. I think Joseph Schuildkraut as Otto Frank was wonderful and Ed Wynn as Albert Dussel was great. Mr.Van Daan, Mrs.Van Daan, Mrs.Frank, Margot, etc every actor who performs in the movie had own character. This is a reason how successful it is. Richard Beymer as Peter Van Daan was okay, but he was too old and to refined for the part. He really like twenty five years old youny guy. We want to see boy in the movie. We knew movies almost was shrinking from the books. But I think some dialogue is important to show how change is her.That should keep on the movie. Anyway I like the movie. It is really emotional.So I'll "scare" to watch again.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie, but forget about the language dubbing!
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Where is the Intermission?
Review: A fine DVD representation of this great film. Good special features as well. While ALfred Newman's pre-title Overture and Exit music is presented, the Intermission music has been removed. The cut intermission insults the original presentation. My only reason for 4 stars rather than 5.
Rating:
Summary: Heartbreaking story brought to the screen
Review: "The Diary of Anne Frank" was given the big-budget treatment in the late 50s and brought to the screen by George Stevens, who had directed such classics as "Giant" and "A Place In The Sun." Stevens wanted to emphasize the cramped quarters of the tiny attic where Anne and seven of her family members and friends hid for two years from the Nazis. The studio insisted that the film be made in Cinemscope, the new widescreen process and despite this setback, Stevens did manage to convey a sense of claustrophobia by utilizing clever set design and camera angles. The film won an Oscar for set design. A nationwide search for an unknown actress to portray Anne Frank resulted in the casting of a young model named Millie Perkins. While some critics felt that Perkins was too old to play the 13 year old Anne, I think she does a good job here and doesn't really look too old for the part at all. Her voice is a tad shrill in the voice-over monologues but otherwise she is fine. Shelley Winters won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her work as Mrs. Van Daan and Joseph Schildkraut is also memorable as Otto Frank, Anne's father. The only major fault with the film is its length - at 170 minutes, it is sometimes slow moving. The best sequences are the ones in which the safety of the families are threatened. These sequences are extremely well done and will have you on the edge of your seat in suspense. Fox has done a good job with the care and resoration of this film for dvd. The picture is presented in its original widescreen format and is sharp and detailed with good contrasts between black and white. Alfred Newman's complete 7 minute overture to the film is also included here. The supplements on side two of the dvd are fantastic. A 90 minute documentary features interviews with Shelley Winters, Millie Perkins, George Stevens Jr., as well as Holocaust historians and family and friends of the Frank family. This documentary is excellent, in some ways as interesting as the film itself, and answers many questions that you may have after seeing the film. The documentary also shows how parts of the films were sanitized for the 50s audiences. Other features includes Academy Awards footage, film premiere footage, stills gallery, Millie Perkins screen test and a feature on the career of director George Stevens.
Rating:
Summary: POIGNANT TEAR JERKER IN STUNNING TRANSFER
Review: "The Diary of Anne Frank" is based on the tragic account of life under Nazi persecution written by a young girl. Anne (Millie Perkins) endures hardship, danger and sadness during World War II along with her devoted family.
TRANSFER: Fox gives us a stunning B&W anamorphic picture with zero film grain, solid blacks, fine detail and remarkable clarity. Really, there's nothing to complain about in this visual presentation. The audio is equally impressive. The musical score is spread across all five channels and offers a genuinely moving experience.
EXTRAS: A documentary, some featurettes and the original theatrical trailer.
BOTTOM LINE: Wonderful story, strong performances and a stellar DVD transfer make this the high water mark of new releases this week!!!
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