A Small Light

I once visited the Anne Frank museum house in Amsterdam in Netherlands as a tourist, and learnt briefly about how a family tried to survive through World War II and the genocide. I left the place with questions - why didn't more people try to save the innocent? What would I have done if I was living through that war?

This drama film series, based on actual events, was released by National Geographic / Disney+ in early May 2023. At the time of my review, I have watched the initial episodes, and am now waiting eagerly for the remaining episodes to be released.

The main characters are well developed and deeply portrayed. Anne Frank is not the main character in this drama film; instead it is about the other people who were not famous (people like the rest of us).

Faced with difficulties, challenges and adversity, what would we do in similar circumstances? It's not always obvious. And so, when you see a main character make a right choice, to endure difficulty and to choose human kindness, it can be moving and uplifting.

The director, script writer, cinematographer, crew and actors should be proud of their work. This show, which covers a dark and fearful period, provides hope and meaning.

A light, no matter how small, can fill up darkness. That's the theme of this drama film - if each one of us can be a small light, whether back in history or in our current world, that's all that's needed to make the difference.

This show will both make you feel and hold you captive. I've cried every episode, sometimes out of sadness, but more often out of hope. The hope that in reality too that some may dare to stand up in the difficult times, with a determination to keep on giving despite the risk. However, for me, it doesn't matter one bit if this story is true or not, because the significance is in how well the acting, writing, and everything else immerses me in the time and made me believe in the characters. This shows message resonates strongly in the heart, for it represents well that one small light can make a world of difference. Sacrifice in the name of love.

I've watched several episodes, and feel compelled to continue with this series, which is based on real people in Europe during World War II. The writing is effective and well paced. With the difficult themes, it would be easy for the writers to be overly sentimental or strong-handed with morality issues, but they've wisely avoided these traps. The script offers engaging dialogue and realistic scenes, brimming with empathy while reflecting the terrible dilemma of that time. I'm impressed with the cast, particularly Bel Powley, Joe Cole, and Liev Schreiber. The costumes, set design, and cinematography are all quite fitting.

With only 2 episodes released at the time I'm writing this, I can't vouch for the entire season.. but I'm LOVING it So far! Cinematography is a great mix of artsy/creative and mainstream- artsy for me and mainstream enough for me to watch with my mom who isn't into a lot of the dark and "weird" shows I like. I really appreciate the balance of tension and pure emotion the writers are managing to build in a story we all know.

I'm the type of viewer that can't enjoy other elements properly if bad acting takes me out of the story... but this has been wonderfully cast! Otto, and Miep have been truly incredible so far, and I look forward to exploring the other characters in the coming episodes!

I felt the need to write this review because the only other written review is 1 star based on it not being historically accurate... and I can't stress this enough, ACCURACY /= A GREAT SHOW. A Small Light has managed to portray a horrific, and already thoroughly told, point of history from a different perspective. For everyone who sat in history class and said "I would have done xyz if I was around when nazis were committing war crimes", this gives peek into what that would have been like to actually make those tough choices... and the story is captivating regardless if it's an actual diary from the time.

This is a clear step forward in Hulu's originals track record, 100% recommend!

Very powerful series, and that is thanks to some brilliant acting from the cast, and some incredibly absorbing writing. Got to give the direction its respect as well - all the elements of film making come together beautifully here.

After the first two episodes aired this series made me pick up Anne's diary and read it from cover to cover. I'd never read it before, nor did I ever study it in school, but after having read it and continuing with the series - wow, did it hit me incredibly hard; much harder than what it would have if I hadn't read it.

A Small Light really captures the story of Miep and the Frank family in the most human way it can. It helps you see what these poor unfortunate souls had to put up with during such a ridiculous and pathetic time in history.

It's a great piece of storytelling. There's so much rubbish out there today, so it's nice to find something that isn't trying desperately to throw a political message in your face! I'm glad that good writers still exist even if they are in a very small minority these days.