Anne Frank: The Whole Story
Anne Frank: The Whole Story
| 20 May 2001 (USA)
SEASON & EPISODES
  • 1
  • Reviews
    Vashirdfel Simply A Masterpiece
    Kidskycom It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.
    PiraBit if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.
    SanEat A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."
    heyheymymy5 I'm a grown man and it takes a lot to make me cry, but the story of Anne Frank makes me unashamed to let my tears out. I first read the book in 1992 when I was 13, and although I remembered being touched by it then, I was too young to draw any lessons from it. Recently, I read an article about Hezbollah campaigning to remove extracts of the book from a Lebanese school textbook, and was reminded of her story. I found my old copy, read it again, went on the internet to read about her life in more details..origin, childhood...I want to find out more about her entire life, not just the period from her going into hiding to her death.In a way, this TV movie had helped me learn more about Anne Frank's tragic life, and brought me into her world. I imagined myself being a carefree child, leading a normal life, dreaming of becoming a writer or journalist, I imagined myself stored away for 2 years in a home that is not a home, a prison that is not a prison, wondering why there are people who want to harm you, if anyone will come and save you, if there is light at the end of the tunnel, and probably always dreading an unfamiliar sound or voice floating into your ears.At the end of the movie, I was left with a hollow feeling and tears in my eyes, tears I am proud to admit I can't stop. I reflected on Anne Frank's short life, a life never lived, dreams never fulfilled, places never visited, romance never found, children never had, and I want to go back there and help her when she was hiding, when she was suffering in the concentration camp. This movie had that effect on me, although I must admit it was mainly because she touched me so much. The underlying story will shine through any poor portrayal of her life; the fact that this is a very good and realistic production only serves to enhance and reinforce the lessons Annelise Marie Frank taught the world about courage, humanity, kindness and so many more.
    mountainguy I finally got around to seeing this movie on DVD. (I had watched only a part of it when it first aired on ABC in 2001.) Unlike the previous adaptations of Anne Frank's story, which were based not only on the famous diary but also the 1955 Broadway play, this one uses Melissa Muller's meticulous biography as its primary source. We thus get a more accurate and complete depiction of Anne's life on film than ever before.I'm a long-time admirer of the 1959 George Stevens film, but this is definitely the superior work. It's a heartbreaking masterpiece. The writing, casting and direction are close to perfect. Ben Kingsley matches Joseph Schildkraut in his portrayal of Otto Frank, and in Hannah Taylor-Gordon we have an actress who not only looks like the real Anne (and is the right age), but gives an unforgettable performance as well.I watched this video in one sitting with no breaks or interruptions. That's a first for me. Kudos to all the artists involved in this production.
    Roman Buettner (roman_bue) I have seen many of the Anne Frank movies and yet - none has ever felt as right as this one! Whoever reads Anne's diary will have the impression that she was - for her age - a normal, sometimes troubled teenager, full of dreams and ideas about her future. Anne never hesitated to note down her fears and frustrations in her diary. "Anne Frank: The Whole Story" shows this specific trade of her personality and differs - especially by this fact - from all prior movies on the subject who often idealized her. The actress portraying her demonstrates this ambiguity in Anne's character in a wonderful, natural way without making the girl seem dull or flat. The same is also true with the rest of the cast who do not only look much like the historical people but who also create the tone that can be found in Anne's diary. To me as a historian it is the small details that count: By shooting this film in and around the original Amsterdam house and sights, not only the "annex" seems realistic but also the whole film itself reaches a never-before-seen level of authenticity and gives the story a whole new quality. Last, and most important of all it seems, is the fact that the plot of this movie begins long before the Franks hid in the annex and ends with Anne's father Otto as the family's only concentration camp survivor who eventually decides to publish his daughter's diary. This has been left out by all the films before and is a good proof that the movie makers did their homework by going beyond the story portrayed in the book! Therefore the title "The whole story" is well chosen. I recommend this film to all people who have read the diary and who were disappointed by the other films. This is a must-see for all students and teachers of history!
    byan85 A beautiful story about bravery love and history.A definite film to see .It made me cry cause of all the pain she went through .And the other 7 residents.10 out of 10 it is a beautiful film .It makes me sad even writing this piece.she is a lovely independent writer and girl.I'm after reading her diary it is brilliant.I think shes the best writer in the world and girl.I'm going to see the secret annexe this summer .I cant wait any longer. My favourite person in the film is of course Anne.My second is the gorgeous Peter Van Pel.I love this film so much id love to play Anne in maybe the next film yeah right like thats going to happen oh well.