The Diary of Anne Frank (1959)

Harrowing story of a young Jewish girl who, with her family and their friends is forced into hiding in an attic in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam.

Director:

George Stevens

Writers:

Frances Goodrich (screenplay), Albert Hackett (screenplay),

Stars:

Millie Perkins, Joseph Schildkraut, Shelley Winters

Won 3 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Millie Perkins	...	Anne Frank
Joseph Schildkraut	...	Otto Frank
Shelley Winters	...	Mrs. Petronella Van Daan
Richard Beymer	...	Peter Van Daan
Gusti Huber	...	Mrs. Edith Frank
Lou Jacobi	...	Mr. Hans Van Daan
Diane Baker	...	Margot Frank
Douglas Spencer	...	Kraler
Dodie Heath	...	Miep (as Dody Heath)
Ed Wynn	...	Mr. Albert Dussell

Storyline

Based on Anne Frank's diary, and the stage play that was adapted from it: In Nazi-occupied Holland, Otto Frank and his family have decided to go into hiding, because of the increasing persecutions against Jews. The businessman Kraler and his assistant Miep prepare a hiding place in the rooms above their place of business, and arrange for the Franks and another family, the Van Daans, to stay there. Later on, they are joined by the dentist Dussel. Together, they try to avoid detection while hoping for Holland to be liberated by the Allies, but even meeting basic needs can become a challenge, and even minor incidents could present a grave risk.

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Plot Keywords:

dentist | diary | jewish | attic | fear | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German

Release Date:

26 August 1959 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

Anne Franks dagbok

Filming Locations:

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, George Stevens Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

180 min 171 min (FMC Library Print)

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (magnetic prints) (Westrex Recording System) Mono (optical prints) (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The DVD and Blu-ray released on June 16, 2009 by 20th Century Fox not only commemorates the film's 50th anniversary, but also what would have been Anne Frank's 80th birthday. She was born four days prior in 1929.

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Goofs

When the thief comes the first time, Margot has a cough. She coughs into a handkerchief. In the next shot of her, her father tosses her a handkerchief because she is coughing into her hand.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Kraler: Mr. Frank. - Mr Frank?
Otto Frank: Kraler. - Mr. Kraler. Miep. My good friends.

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Crazy Credits

At the end, neither a "The End" credit nor a cast list appears, only the title of the film once more ("The Diary of Anne Frank").

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Connections

Referenced in Chump Change (2000)

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Soundtracks

"Erika"
(uncredited)
Music by Herms Niel

User Reviews

Brilliant!

Based on the play, the movie is about two families that go into hiding in Amsterdam during World War II. This movie has Millie Perkins starring as Anne Frank who has an excellent performance and a brilliant narration. Anne Frank also has chemistry with Peter Van Daan, a boy from the other family. The cinematography is great. I especially like how the camera moves up from floor to floor. The film is very suspenseful and keeps your eyes glued to the screen to see what happens next. The final reason why this is great is that it shows spirit and hope in dark times. I'm surprised that no one watches this movie that much today. It seems that it is a forgotten gem.