MovieChat Forums > The Diary of Anne Frank (1959) Discussion > Did anyone not ever think this Movie was...

Did anyone not ever think this Movie was a little disrespectful?

posted 9 years ago by joshwinkler87
8 replies | jump to latest

To the Memory of Anne Frank and all those who died. This movie was made only 14 years after Anne Frank's death and the Holocaust was likely still fresh in people's minds.

While I don't think the movie is that disrespectful it is kind of 'corny' and inaccurate in portraying what actually happened. Millie Perkins looks nothing like Anne Frank and Diane Baker looks nothing like Margot Frank.

If you want to see a more real version of the story watch the 2001 movie Anne Frank: The Whole Story with Hannah Taylor Gordon.

[–] freebird1987 9 years ago

I never thought it was disrespectful.

[–] bastasch8647 9 years ago

Not disrespectful, but imo, the Hannah Taylor Gordon is a far superior production.

[–] boxerrebellion 8 years ago

Had Otto Frank considered it disrespectful, I'm sure it would not have been made.

[–] Tullyboy 9 years ago

Perhaps you didn't know that Anne's father, Otto Frank, and their protector during the war, Miep, were directly involved in assisting the writing of dialog for the Broadway play as well certain aspects of writing of the screenplay and production of this beautiful, sensitive film. He had personally asked Audrey Hepburn if she would play Anne, but she apparently declined -- in part because she was 30 and felt far too old for the part. His next
preference was the film's ultimate star, Millie Perkins. If her father felt good about that choice, we need to honor and trust that decision.

As to the film, I don't feel the creation and release of this film in 1959 is in any way insensitive or disrespectful of those millions who struggled to survive, though so many died. I see the film as an extraordinary celebration of all of those lives.

Remember, dozens and dozens of major films about WWII had been produced by the time this film was released, covering many of the hardships and horrendous losses suffered on all sides -- worldwide.

It was such an incredibly tragic time in modern history, but the importance of telling
these dramatic stories as soon as possible was clear. All these pent up emotions people had from years of suffering and loss needed to be set free and given a voice through all forms of human expression.

Films such as this gave back life and hope to so many souls who continued to suffer everywhere. What an amazingly courageous, life-affirming act Otto Frank, as well as Miep, performed in bringing Anne's story and words to the world. I treasure this film and thank them for sharing it with all of us. It's as meaningful and relevant today as it was when originally produced.

[–] Trialanderror 9 years ago

Thank you for writing one of the most thoughtful and informative posts I have read on any board at IMDB.

[–] Tullyboy 9 years ago

I truly appreciate your thoughts, that you have shared your understanding of what made this film important and its release perfectly timed.

I am sitting here in beautiful Northern
California, on a gorgeous
April afternoon, the
gentle sunlight falling
across the porch, a light
breeze wafting through the sliding door. My
kitties are comfortably
curled up on two
overstuffed chairs, just
a few feet away. How
sublime, what a gift to
have this life . . .

But, I am sitting inside, transfixed by the television for the past two hours, struggling through watching "Judgment at Nuremberg" on TCM, for most likely
the 20th time. Taking a momentary break, I just
happened to check my
email and found an IMDb notice connecting me to your comment. Knowing it
would be so relevant to
what I'm watching right this moment, I had
to read what was posted
to my comment of a few
weeks ago. It lifted my heart to find a soul who
was also so touched by both the horrific tragedy and the enormously simple, beautiful human qualities expressed in
"The Diary of Anne Frank".

These are films stories that render me speechless
. . . But, writing a comment on IMDb about my thoughts and feelings truly helps me make cerebral sense of any of
it while keeping me somewhat grounded. It's just such a heartache to 'go there' . . . Yet we are so tremendously fortunate to be alive to watch these moving films, aren't we?

I send all of us self-centered, struggling, imperfectly perfect human beings my best, heartfelt wishes for some kind of peace and love in this world. We make such grievous errors and hurt one another with seeming impunity. Some days it's just so hard to have hope -- but, not today. It's simply too beautiful today. And, watching this
chilling masterpiece of a film, I am so grateful to Stanley Kramer for his extraordinary direction of this amazingly moving film . . . Take care.

[–] SixtiesAmethyst 8 years ago

@Tullyboy...yes, EVERTHING you said!! This movie captured my heart and has kept it from the very first time that I watched it so many years ago, to this very day. The cast was phenomenal!!

[–] jakob-rylan 8 years ago

40% of this film is fiction.
60% if fact.

No, I don't think it's disrespect, but I think that people should know that this isn't the whole story nor is it 100% accurate.