The reasons why this film soars, aboslutely soars, are numerous. First, the film tells the complete story, from before the Franks hid in the Annex, until her final days in the concentration camp. Whereas some films tend to linger solely on Anne's days in the Annex, this wider focus gives us the larger picture. Anne's time in captivity is heart wrenching; we have fallen in love with the tempestuous, darling girl and to see her solely fade away is devastating. It serves as a testament both to the millions lost, and the one girl that would write a book to change the world.

Secondly, the performances in this movie are amazing. Ben Kingsley and Brenda Blethyn lend their star-stature names to this project, and turn in performances that are real and dignified. Favorite Lili Taylor, who is one of America's most talented actressses, gives a quiet, powerful performance as Miep Gies. It's Hannah Taylor Gorden, as Anne, brings Anne to life with complexity and grace. Gordon honors Anne in every scene, never deifying the girl, but making her real, human. She even writes the way Anne did, holding the pen as Anne would have held it. That attention to detail does not go unnoticed by those of us who love Anne. It was a perfect match of actress and role.

Third, this film is visually beautiful. Often, you expect a "lower" standard of technical excellence in a television film. Rightfully so, ABC and the director, Robert Dornhelm, give this film a professional style. There are several scenes where you are just in awe, apart from the incredible story.

It was sad for me to learn that this film was not endorsed by the Anne Frank Foundation, because the film was based on a biography not approved by the foundation. Whereas I think its important to have the Foundation so Anne's life can be told in a honest way, they should have seen the film before making a judgment. This movie is a beautiful testament to a beautiful life, and it should be free from any political wranglings like this.

By the final scene, when Miep gives Otto Frank his daughter's diary, and he travels back into the Annex to look at it, my heart was breaking. Anne didn't live to see the effect she'd have on the world, but I think for all of us, we have adopted Anne as our own daughter or sister. She belongs to the world now, and we are responsible to take care of her, to make sure her story is told generation after generation, to honor her life by ensuring nothing like this ever happens in history again.


AT LAST!   June 8, 2001
 18 out of 22 found this review helpful

At last, this stunning ABC mini series is coming to video! (I am ordering mine as soon as I finish writing this review!).

At last we can see the full story, from before the diary and after, and it's everything we could imagine!

Hannah Taylor-Gordon plays Anne. After a pain-staking casting search, the requirements that the actress should bear a clear resemblance to the real girl and have a solid acting style were clearly found in Gordon. She is truly the epitome of what we envision Anne to be.

Rounding out the cast are Ben Kingsley as Otto Frank, Tatjana Blacher as Edith Frank, Brenda Blethyn as Auguste van Pels and Lili Taylor as Miep Gies.

Filmed on location in Prague, the entire production is flawless and is based on Melissa Muller's book on Anne, not on the actual diary itself.

If you love the story of Anne, you will love this new mini series. Your heart will sing, soar and break.


One Awesome movie!!!   May 19, 2003
 18 out of 18 found this review helpful

This is one of the best films that I've ever seen! In some films that are based on a true story, directors twist the plot line around to suit their whims. But in this one, the producers stuck close to the real story, portraying each character and event as they really were. Actual footage from WWII was inserted in certain points of the film, giving it an authentic air. Also, some of the consultants were people who knew the real Frank family, people like Miep Gies (who to my knowledge is still alive in Amsterdam today) and Jacqueline Van Marsen, one of Anne's childhood friends. The actors and actresses acted out their roles superbly, and I was especially impressed with Hannah Taylor Gordon's performance. Not only does she bear a striking resemblence to the real Anne Frank, but she also acts very much like I believe Anne would have acted. I also appreciate the fact that, even though the film's setting is a very harsh time in history, the producers managed to show the brutality of the Nazi occupation without resorting to blood and gore. Anne's story is a sad one, but one worth watching, because it reminds us that the people who died in the holocaust were just normal human beings with hopes and dreams, whose lives were abruptly snuffed out by people who were blinded by racism and extreme nationalism. I would recommend this film for any history buff. It's definitely the best portrayal of Anne Frank on film. Thumbs up for this movie!


Very well made movie and better than the original   August 19, 2006
 12 out of 12 found this review helpful

In the past year I had been wanting to learn about the story of Anne Frank. I kept passing up the original movie at the video store because I thought it'd be "boring" and that some people said it was too much like your typical Hollywood film.

I didn't care for the original at all and thought the actress who played Anne Frank was miscast to say the least. Not only that, but very annoying. After watching the original movie I bought the book and read it immediately. After finishing it I purchased this movie and was extremely impressed with it. I liked it so much that I immediately loaned it to my mother and she loved it too.

They seemed to keep all the smallest details of the book and the person who played Anne Frank was much better than the actress from the original movie. I believe this was a TV movie, but you can hardly tell. One sign of a good movie is if you think about it weeks and even months later it must be good. It's only been 3 months since I saw this last and I really want to watch it again.

Trust me, get this movie. You'll like it!

I'd also suggest the movie "Anne Frank Remembered".


The First Time I ever cried during a movie   August 30, 2002
 11 out of 11 found this review helpful

I am not a crier. I only cry when something pierces me so hard that it forces the tears out. But even this did not pierce me. It stabbed me. I have been researching the Holocaust since I was nine years old. I have read every book there is on it. Watched so many movies on it. But I always had a feeling for Anne Frank. I read her Diary and all that, watched movies on her, so when I saw that a miniseries was coming on on ABC I was pretty excited. Since we don't get ABC my Grandmother taped it for me. Then the next day my Mom, my cousin and I sat down to watch it. The First part was great for me not a single tear but then came day two. When Anne was wrenched out her "Pim's" arms it was too much. The tears came and didn't stop till the Conventration camp was over. It was the very first time I ever cried during a movie. Hannah Taylor Gordon looked so much like Anne that I had to remind myself that the real Anne was dead. Lili Taylor was awsome as Meip Gies the main helper of the Frank Family. Jessica Blanaly as Margot just makes Anne's character shine even more. I think she deserves way more credit then she got. And all the rest of the Characters shine also. Because of the very Graphic images I don't recomend this movie for anybody under 11. But if you are over I strongly recomend this movie. To help us remember to never let this wretched thing happen again.