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Rating: 4 out of 5
The Holocaust was one of the evilest and one of the biggest stains on the history of mankind. The Holocaust was the genocide of European Jews during World War II. Between 1941 to 1945, Nazi Germany murdered more than six million Jews across German-occupied Europe. Nazi Germany carried out this genocide in German concentration camps where they committed the murders through mass shootings, forced labor, gas chambers, and any other means possible. Some of the worst concentration camps were Auschwitz-Birkenau, Bełżec, Chełmno, Majdanek, and Sobibór.
There have been many stories about the Holocaust. There is a great and educational Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. that everyone should visit. Some movies have explored the Holocaust. One of the most famous films is Schindler’s List, directed by the great Steven Spielberg. There is one film I almost forgot that I watched in middle school and high school. That movie is the Diary of Anne Frank. The diary and story of Anne Frank are one of the most famous stories about the Holocaust. Anne Frank was a German-born Jewish girl who kept a diary in which she documented life in hiding under Nazi persecution. Anne documented her life in hiding from 1942 to 1944, during the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II. The diary is by far one of the world’s best-known books. Here is some quick background on Anne Frank. She was born in Frankfurt, Germany, but moved to Amsterdam when Hitler and his party gained control. As the Germans increased their persecution of Jews, Anne and her family went into hiding in several concealed rooms behind a bookcase in the building where Anne’s father, Otto Frank, worked. In August 1944, Anne and her family were arrested by the Gestapo and sent to concentration camps where she died. Only her father, Otto, survived. The diary Anne kept was a birthday present from her father.
The Diary of Anne Frank is a biographical drama film based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1955 play of the same name. The film was directed by George Stevens and based on Anne Frank’s diary and the stage play. The film begins in 1945 when a truckload of war survivors stops in front of an Amsterdam factory at the end of World War II. One of the survivors is Otto Frank (Schildkraut). Otto walks inside the factory and climbs the stairs to a deserted room. Otto sits in the room and begins to sob. He is joined and comforted by Miep (Heath) and Mr. Kraler (Spencer). Miep and Mr. Kraler were office workers who helped shield Otto and his family from the Nazi party. After realizing he is all alone, Otto searches for the diary written by his youngest daughter, Anne (Perkins). Miep retrieves the diary for him, and Otto starts reading it. The movie flashbacks to July 1942, when Anne begins chronicling the restrictions placed upon Jews that drove the Franks into hiding over the spice factory in Holland. The Franks are joined by another family, the Van Daans. Time passes as the Franks and Van Daans adjust to their new surroundings. They try to avoid detection while hoping that the Allies will liberate Holland. When the dentist Dussel is added to the group, friction begins, and the hope for freedom seems so far in the future.
I will not criticize this film in any way, shape, or form. I remember watching this film in middle and high school. It is a significant history lesson for everyone. This was a HORRIBLE period in history, and it should be respected. Imagine having to leave all your possessions behind and living in fear and silence from people who want to cause mass genocide. With that, I’ll respect and go through what made this film a great watch and one that everyone should learn.
As stated, the movie and plot are based on the diary of Anne Frank. Otto Frank returns after the war ends and is given her diary by the two people who helped them hide. Remember that this film and the diary are based on the thoughts of a thirteen-year-old girl. Any person that is described is based on her views. When many watch this film, they will think that Anne is either spoiled, high maintenance, or doesn’t realize what is happening. I wouldn’t say she is spoiled or high maintenance, but she is more of a person who somewhat realizes her situation and wants to be free of the world. I remember when I was thirteen years old, and I would have to give it to her and everyone to live in that challenging situation.
The first couple of pages in her diary and the film show the dynamic of the new living situation. The Franks share their hiding place with the Van Daans, who have a teenage son. Tensions are high between the families because life has changed so much. Through the months, Anne’s high energy is always on display, to Peter’s annoyance. This causes some problems as the helpers of the families tell them they must keep strict silence during the day when the factory is going on. During that time, Otto schools Anne and her sister Margot while others spend their time remembering the life they had. The mood in the hideout lightens when Kraler brings in a radio, providing some sense of the world.
Things hit a high level when Kraler asks the families to hide another person, a Jewish dentist named Albert Dussel. When Dussel is added to the equation, first, he tells them how bad the world has gotten with many Jews being sent to concentration camps and that many people the families knew are entirely gone. You can tell that Anne really didn’t like Dussel and displayed him as a bumbling fool. This is when things really become intense with the families. For one, Anne has a nightmare and starts screaming out loud. You think that is when the family is done. The one really intense scene was when a robber came into the factory. As he steals, Peter hits something, and all hell breaks loose. This scene was the most intense scene of the whole film besides the ending. A watchman rolls up with some police, but thanks to the cat, they wave it off. Watching the scene, your heart will beat fast with fear.
Hell, the film even shows love as Peter and Anne begin a romance as Anne begins womanhood. It is a sweet moment between the pair, but in the background, you know it will not last, as Kraler implies that one of his employees seems to be blackmailing him. Dussel begins his Debbie-downer routine by saying they are finished. Then, the film shows an argument over food where Anne’s mother goes off on Dussel. She even tried to have the man kicked out because he was stealing food, and she was pissed. It showed how much the tension was, along with the realization that they might not get out. When the radio talks about D-Day, you have some hope that they may be rescued. We know the end of the story as the police bang down the door of the bookcase; Otto gives some comforting words. The scene is intense because you know all of them are going to concentration camps and probably will not survive. It was a sorrowful scene.
The acting was outstanding with the cast. I don’t want to leave anyone out, but I’ll hit on the ones that should be mentioned. In her first starring role, Millie Perkins as Anne Frank was great. She honestly looked like a young Audrey Hepburn. I think I read that Otto Frank wanted Audrey Hepburn to play the role of Anne, but she declined, stating that she felt she was too old. Perkins looked like a mirror image, and she did an outstanding job. I felt like she embodied what a thirteen-year-old was going through.
Shelley Winters, as Petronella van Daan, was also one who did an amazing job. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She was loud and told it how it was. Her scene came when she yelled at Anne for ruining her grandmother’s coat. That was the scene where she won the award. Ed Wynn as Albert Dussel was equally good. He was nominated for an Academy Award and portrayed what Anne thought Dr. Dussel was like.
The Diary of Anne Frank is a film that everyone should watch. It is part of history and happened during one of the evilest periods in history. It is the story of a little girl who must go into hiding with her family. The acting is great as it brings out each character. Watch this film and take some time to learn about the Holocaust.
