The Diary of Anne Frank is a 1959 film based on the posthumously published diary of Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl who lived in hiding with her family during World War II. George Stevens directed the film based on the play and the original story, and it features three members of the original Broadway cast.
During World War II, shopkeeper Kraler hides two Jewish families in his attic in German-occupied Holland. The young Anne Frank (Millie Perkins) keeps a diary chronicling the everyday lives of the Franks and Van Daans, chronicling the Nazi threat as well as family dynamics. Margot and Anne became jealous after Anne became involved with Peter Van Daan. After many years, Otto Frank (Joseph Schildkraut) returns to the attic and finds his late daughter’s diary.
Millie Perkins played the role of Anne Frank. Stevens’ choice for Anne Frank’s character was widely criticized because Perkins was an American girl. The audience had not yet discovered her special secret. She looked mature and too flat for the pivotal role. However, it might have been necessary to portray her as an American girl to bring the point home to American audiences, who were unaffected by the extent of war atrocities, in contrast to Europeans.
Anne Frank’s Diary was a joyous success with critics, and many believe it is the best adaptation to date. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the movie currently holds a 78% critic’s score. The film won three Oscars in 1960, including Best Supporting Actress for Shelley Winters. Later, Shelley donated her Oscar to the Anne Frank Museum.
