The Hiding Place

My grandmother took me to see this movie when it was released. I was a child and had not studied the holocaust yet but, even though I only saw this movie one time, I have never forgotten it. It takes a very special movie/story to have such an impact-especially on a child. Over the years, I've thought of this story often but I haven't ever seen it anywhere (TV, video store, etc...). It's a shame this movie hasn't been kept "alive" through re-makes and/or re-runs--It certainly deserves to be given the same respect and attention as "The Diary of Anne Frank" and "Schindler's List"! I'd love to see it again--even though I'd need a much bigger box of tissues this time!

I caught this movie again on cable over the weekend, 25 years after I first saw it in 1975. It was certainly interesting to view it at such drastically different points in my life. This is the powerful story of the family of Corrie Ten Boom, who died at age 91 in 1983. She and her family (Dutch watchmakers) hid Jews from the Nazis in an attic room over their home/shop during WWII. They were eventually caught and sent to Ravensbruck. But the story of who lives and who doesn't is overshadowed by the powerful lessons of love (both God's love for man and man's love for other men), and by the importance and power of forgiveness. It paints a stiking picture of Christ's concept of turning the other cheek. Julie Harris is great as Corrie sister Betsie, and I can't believe that Jeanette Clift (Corrie) never made another movie. She brought the character to life beautifully. Also stars legendary character actors Arthur O'Connell (his last film) and Eileen Heckart. Corrie Ten Boom herself makes an appearance at the end of the film. Made by World Wide Films (Billy Graham's film production company) with a haunting score by Tedd Smith.

During the swell of Nazi Germany, the Christian ten Boom family struggle to make safe all who seek sanctuary in their home. They hire a sympathetic builder to create a hiding place in one of their rooms for when the Gestapo are near. A sympathetic German officer benevolently tries to warn the ten Booms that their hiding place is becoming well known and warns them to be extra careful as to whom they trust. What happens next focuses on the ten Boom sisters, Corrie and Betsie, and how they survive the harsh realities that face them and test their faith in God and Jesus. This was Jennette Clift's only movie role and what a role it is, as the main focus of the story, Corrie ten Boom.

High production values and convincing acting make this film one of the best of the faith based films to date. Based on a true story one cannot help but be moved by the horrors of the Holocaust. Yet at the same time we are inspired by its compelling presentation of the power of faith and the will to survive. The bond of love between the two sisters is especially moving. Julie Harris and Jeannette Clift both provide nuanced and convincing portrayals of the ten Boom sisters. Jeannette Clift received a Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of the older sister Corrie ten Boom. Unfortunately this film has long been overlooked by the mainstream critics and movie goers. There seems to be a cultural bias against faith based films that has prevented this film from receiving it's due credit. I highly recommend this film!

This movie starts out very slow and drags along for the first 30 minutes or so, but boy does it turn around in the second half! As a born again Christian, this film really inspires me. It is based on the true story of Corrie Ten Boom and how her family displayed such Godly Christlike qualities during one of the darkest times in recent history. I encourage all believers who have not seen it, to get a copy and watch it, and to read Miss Ten Boom's book "The Hiding Place." As usual, it is much better than the movie.

John 3:16 <><