The Diary of Anne Frank
The Diary of a Young Girl captured the hearts of millions of readers because of its honesty and the author’s positive attitude among the most dreadful of situations, hiding from the Nazis in an attic in Amsterdam for more than two years.
Anne Frank’s experience, which she shared with seven other people, is captured on film in George Stevens’ Oscar-winning 1959 production The Diary of Anne Frank.
George Stevens also directed the Elizabeth Taylor classics A Place in the Sun and Giant, along with documentaries for the World War II effort.
The main players in this film are Milie Perkins as Anne, Joseph Schildkraut as Otto Frank, Shelley Winters, who won an Academy Award for the role of Mrs. Van Daan and Richard Beymer, Tony from West Side Story, as Peter Van Daan.
Dramas confined to a single space are a particular challenge, and it’s apparent here. The Diary of Anne Frank is full of natural tension, including the irritation and unraveled nerves that would naturally arise in such a physically tight situation. The film feels cramped, like the Franks and Van Daan’s must have felt; however, at times, Stevens gets enough room to show his cast nicely like in the Hanukkah dinner scene.
The one element of The Diary of Anne Frank that is quite impressive is the cinematography by William C. Mellor and Jack Cardiff, shot in Cinemascope format. The film is beautifully lit and well composed. The tension of the suspenseful scenes also works due to the use of light and shadow.
The 50th Anniversary Edition DVD of The Diary of Anne Frank contains the introductory overture, exit music, and an intermission announcement, and runs about three hours.
It also contains several Special Features. Audio Commentary by George Stevens Jr., the director’s son, and Millie Perkins; "George Stevens in WWII," the director’s photography and film work during the war; "The Making of The Diary of Anne Frank: A Son’s Memory; "Shelley Winters and The Diary of Anne Frank;" and a Behind-the-Scenes Gallery are among the features included on the B-side of this DVD.
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