The Diary of Anne Frank (1959)

75% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
74% of users liked it
(27,056 ratings)

This is the autobiographical drama of a young Dutch Jewish girl hiding from the invading Nazis during World War II. Anne and her family share a claustrophobic attic with another family. Tension is often unbearable, as the people hiding know that their discovery by the enemy could lead to almost… More This is the autobiographical drama of a young Dutch Jewish girl hiding from the invading Nazis during World War II. Anne and her family share a claustrophobic attic with another family. Tension is often unbearable, as the people hiding know that their discovery by the enemy could lead to almost certain death at the hands of their captors. They also must contend with the Dutch Gestapo or "Green Police," who will turn them over to the Nazis if discovered. Dutch nationals risk their lives by hiding the family for two years. The group, despite the horror and crowded conditions, still find time for celebrations of Hanukkah and rejoice quietly in the small attic that has become their world. The story is told from the narrative perspective of Anne, a young girl hoping to live to womanhood. The film was nominated for several academy awards and won two for best supporting actress (Shelley Winters) and for cinematography (William Mellor). ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: George Stevens
Written By: Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1959 Wide
On DVD: Feb 3, 2004

Critic Reviews

Bosley Crowther, New York Times
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.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Represents Stevens at the height of his pretentiousness and the depths of his accomplishment.
Wesley Lovell, Oscar Guy
A poignant drama bringing us into the lives of Anne Frank, whose diary inspired millions seeking to understand why such a sweet, innocent child could be murdered in the Holocaust.
Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media
Poignant adaptation is still powerful 50 years later.
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
Remains a potent statement about the horrors of war and a valid testament to the girl who could answer them by writing, 'I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are really good at heart.' [Blu-ray]
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A vivid and carefully produced work of poignancy and loss.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
More valuable as historical than artistic work, George Stevens' reverential Broadway-to-Hollywood transfer is marred by the weak lead performance from Millie Perkins.
, Time Out
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.
Derek Smith, Apollo Guide
As part of the Fox Studio Classics series, this DVD comes packed with extras and great picture and sound quality.
Derek Smith, Apollo Guide
Its ideals are concerned less with the horrors of 1940s Germany and more with the optimistic, hopeful attitude of 1950s America.
, Film4
Stevens took some stick for casting an unknown as Anne, but his decision paid off as Perkins is refreshingly unmannered in the role.
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
The Anne Frank saga remains moving, personal, and relavant, no matter how distant we become in time.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
A poignant, moving film of hope and tragedy.
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Faithful and affecting (if long).
Dan Jardine, All Movie Guide
The first film to deal with the Holocaust on such an affecting and personal level, this is a powerful and painfully tragic film.

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

erika b

book is better
AJ V

A classic movie based on a classic novel/diary of the real experiences of a girl living in Nazi Germany. This movie really brings the events to life, and I highly recommend seeing it.
Wahida K

Touching classic based upon true events in WWII on Diary of Anne Frank. I read the Book twice and every tiny bit of the words in the book sucked me in to it. A tragedy.
Film C

excellant very moving and very intersting in the life of a jewish girl being tracked down by the nazi reli worth a watch excellant history of the ww2
Megan S

A must-see movie based on a must-see book. I enjoyed it a lot; it is such a sad and moving story. I couldn't quite get past the fact that the dentist guy was played by the same actor who was flying around on the ceiling in mary poppins.
Jennifer X

altogether too long but it drew me in and millie perkins is perfection as an innocent but annoying anne frank who grows up in that little room.
Michael G

I remember watching this in my 8th grade English class and liking the fact that it took a whole week for us to watch--thus getting out of any homework. Almost 20 years later I really didn't have as much enthusiasm. I know you've got to drag a story like this out as long as… More
I remember watching this in my 8th grade English class and liking the fact that it took a whole week for us to watch--thus getting out of any homework. Almost 20 years later I really didn't have as much enthusiasm. I know you've got to drag a story like this out as long as you possibly can to convey the claustrophobia of the characters, but that walks a fine line between Stir-Crazy and Bored Shitless. It's obviously a horrific tale--if the possibility of Nazis busting your door down and dragging you off to a concentration camp doesn't scare you, the thought of living with your family in an attic and not being able to leave for two years should. In the end, it's well done and not to take away from what these people endured and eventually suffered through, but I'd recommend The Pianist or Schindler's List first.
Leigh R

Fantastic job by Perkins. She really captured what I feel that Anne was really like. Highly recommend.