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The Diary of Anne Frank

Play trailer Poster for The Diary of Anne Frank 1959 2h 36m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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81% Tomatometer 21 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
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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The Diary of Anne Frank

Critics Reviews

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Joe Clay The Times (UK) 02/01/2024
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. Go to Full Review Time Out 01/26/2006
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. Go to Full Review Bosley Crowther New York Times 05/20/2003
4/5
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. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 02/06/2025
7/10
The commentary on optimism, faith, fairness, underlying goodness, and the human spirit makes the film a powerful achievement. Go to Full Review Moira Walsh The Catholic World 11/28/2023
The movie is done with taste and skill and no little cinematic distinction. Go to Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies 06/12/2020
5/5
The Diary of Anne Frank is a film that paints an intimate picture of life during the Holocaust. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Leaburn O Aug 16 A lovely film, one of the best I’ve seen in awhile. The characters are illuminated and the sense of fear tinged with hope is never anything less than absorbing. It’s a fine testament to the book and an impressive piece of filmmaking. Watched on DVD. See more Jim P 01/16/2025 You'd think a film set in an attic would be boring... But no! A great story full of suspense. See more Red T 06/23/2023 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. See more Cody M 04/23/2021 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!!! See more Paul G 09/23/2020 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. See more 08/04/2020 This was a very great and informative movie in my opinion. See more Read all reviews
The Diary of Anne Frank

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Diary of Anne Frank

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Movie Info

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
Producer
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
Runtime
2h 36m
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