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Anne Frank - The Whole Story

Anne Frank - The Whole Story

List Price: $19.99
Your Price: $14.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One Awesome movie!!!
Review: 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!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: New Version of Anne Frank's Story Outstanding
Review: I never thought the 1959 film version of "The Diary of Anne Frank," directed by George Stevens, could be improved upon, but this new made-for-TV film is outstanding in every respect. The location photography, intelligent script based faithfully on Melissa Muller's book, and superlative performances (Lili Taylor as Miep is a stand-out, but all the major actors--Ben Kingsley, Tatiana Blacher, Jessica Manley, Brenda Blethyn, Joachim Krol, Jan Niklas and Nick Audsley--and many of the minor ones--Peter Bolhuis, Cees Geel, Rob Das, Jade Williams and Ela Lehotska--cannot be improved upon) make it poignant, extremely realistic in its recreation of the period, and unforgettable. Hannah Taylor-Gordon looks frighteningly like the real Anne. Warning: the concentration camp scenes are harrowing to watch (much more realistic, it should be noted, than those in the 1978 TV mini-series "Holocaust"), which only adds to the tragedy of the entire story, a grim reminder that this was only one of 6 million. I particularly liked the idea of using relative unknowns (and many foreign actors and actresses) in the majority of roles. I was captivated by the whole production, in fact, I couldn't take my eyes away from it. You can't say that very often these days.
I would heartily recommend this film for anyone interested in a top-quality viewing experience.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Absolutly Spectacular
Review: I have loved the Diary of Anne Frank since I was 12. To see this movie was awe inspiring. The best part of this movie is it lets us see what happened after they were taken. If you read just the Diary of Anne Frank, you are left to wonder, If you have read Anne Frank; Diary of a young girl, you get to find out what happened after, but seeing it in motion picture form was something else. What struck me is how similar the girl playing anne looked to the real anne. I can watch this movie over and over. The best adaption from book I have ever seen.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Best Film Adaptation of the Life of Anne Frank
Review: This film is absolutely amazing in its accuracy. If you have seen the "Hollywood" black and white version of Anne Frank's story, you know that that version did not do such an important historical event justice. However, this film makes up for all previous attempts at chronicalling (sp?) the life of one of the most important and influencial voices from WWII. Some of the best qualities of the film include scenes from Anne's life before going into hiding, the superb performances of the actors, and the disturbing, yet powerful portrayal of Anne's life in various concentration camps. As a person who never cries at films, I was in tears when Anne was separated from her father upon arriving at Auchwitz. This film is highly recommended to anyone interested in the life of Anne Frank, or for anyone simply wanting to futher explore the notion that good can come from evil.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Anne Frabk-The Whole Story
Review: This movie was simply amazing, it was extremely moving and kept me glued to my seat- not to mention the boy who played Peter is well fit (buff and a spunk). Hannah Taylor Gordon portrayed Anne very well, and each actor chosen would make their characters proud. I loved this film from start to finish as it showed the true story of Anne Frank and the Secret Annex, therefore I would love to get my hands on a copy of the DVD (hint, hint). This is a masterpiece that deserves an oscar in every category (including best actor for the boy who played Peter). All I can say is watch this film and be moved, by the Annex scenes and the final scenes of Anne in the concentration camps. If you watch this film then you will never forget the horror of the holocaust.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Anne Frank A Truly Touching Miniseries
Review: Anne Frank: The Whole Story is a movie that goes beyond what almost all Holocaust stories do. It is touching to the human spirit and how Anne's soul never gave up until the very end. Hannah Taylor Gordon, who was in Jakob the Liar, turns in a superb performance as the Anne Frank. She is able to show us how Anne reacted to everyday life and the inevitable death of her sister, Margot. Ben Kingsley is amazing as Otto Frank, a quiet subdued man who loved his family and was the only one to survive.
The most extraordinary part of this miniseries is the fact that the story keeps on going after they are taking to the Nazi concentration camp. We are seeing the unthinkable horrors and how fortunate we are to have not been a Jew prisoner in that camp. The pain and suffering of Anne and Margot is so well brought up that we feel sorry for these girls with dreams of the future. It is no wonder that this earned an Emmy nomination.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: History Teacher recommends
Review: As a middle school history teacher, I found that my students responded well to this film, as it is more recent and very well performed. It depicts the concentration camps with shocking reality and gives my students a look at the truth. Though very long, there are portions that can give some necessary insight into WWII. I highly recommend it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great movie!
Review: This movie really put things into perspective. It was very moving and entertaining. I enjoyed it and this movie inspired me to do some reserch on the holocaust and anne frank, and through the movie and the research i have learned a great deal more of this horrible period of time. I enjoyed it and i think many more people will too.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Anne Frank - The Whole Story; a truly moving film:
Review: Anne Frank - The Whole Story was probably the most moving film I have ever watched.

If you're going to order it, get the handkerchief or tissues out for the end because the scenes of the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp and the way all those poor, innocent Jews were treated are so distressing.

I think Hannah Taylor Gordon was such a good look-alike to Anne Frank and played her part so well; if the real Anne Frank were still alive, you could put the two girls side by side and they'd look so alike.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Our Anne
Review: As i write this review, this film is just finishing up, and I must say, this is one of the most moving accounts of Anne Frank that I've seen to date. We all know the story of Anne Frank, how it started, and what a complete tragic end of her life; and more importantly, what hope she brought to the world that killed her. This film is a remarkable, incredible retelling of the life of Anne Frank.

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.


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