If there's ever been an actress who commands your attention because of her likeability and charm, it's the Oscar winning Mary Steenburgen, playing the heroic Miep Gies, the Austrian woman who hid the Frank and Van Daan families and Dr. Dussel from the Nazis and the struggle she goes through physically and psychologically. The film opens just as the Germans storm into Amsterdam, the Jewish residents are forced to register and eventually sent to the camps, causing many of them to go into hiding and arrests of those aiding them.
That's the Oscar winning Paul Scofield playing Otto Frank, and Lisa Jacobs an exact look-a-like for Anne, as precocious and fun loving and determined as she was in the famous play based upon her diaries. Some of her famous words are used here as background conversation while the camera focuses on Steenburgen. An early scene has her approached by a Nazi woman who tries to get her involved in pro party activities and Steenburgen is excellent in standing up to her.
However, that's what causes Miep to get in trouble in the first place, and it's only through the offer of her boyfriend to marry her that she's able to stay in the Netherlands and helps the Franks. Her story of sacrifice and Anne's diary has kept this family's story alive, and the ensemble of supporting actors, the musical score photography and pacing are all excellent. One of the truly great TV movies of all time.
That's the Oscar winning Paul Scofield playing Otto Frank, and Lisa Jacobs an exact look-a-like for Anne, as precocious and fun loving and determined as she was in the famous play based upon her diaries. Some of her famous words are used here as background conversation while the camera focuses on Steenburgen. An early scene has her approached by a Nazi woman who tries to get her involved in pro party activities and Steenburgen is excellent in standing up to her.
However, that's what causes Miep to get in trouble in the first place, and it's only through the offer of her boyfriend to marry her that she's able to stay in the Netherlands and helps the Franks. Her story of sacrifice and Anne's diary has kept this family's story alive, and the ensemble of supporting actors, the musical score photography and pacing are all excellent. One of the truly great TV movies of all time.