The Diary of Anne Frank

Rarely have I seen a work of literature translated so badly to the screen. The hysterical cast of b-movie and sitcom extras simply make the characters seem like bad Jewish stereotypes. The worst of all is Melissa Gilbert, who you hate from scene one and never develop any sympathy for. Performances like this should be noted and used against actors who wish to work again. All in all, a seedy, low-budget made-for-TV film of the sort that gives made-for-TV films a bad name.

I would like to correct Erik-32's belief that this is a bad adaptation of literature. In fact, it is almost identical, line-for-line, to not only the 1959 movie with Millie Perkins, but to the dramatic play script.

I grew up with this movie, and it once made me cry as I realized some my ancestors (I am of Jewish descent) may well have suffered the same situation. I would recommend this version for young children, because it's easy to understand the dramatizations. The 1959 movie would be more appropriate for older children and young adults.

I liked this movie even though I found Melissa Gilbert to be quite irritating, and all the Van Danns to be miscasted. But I thought everyone else did a good acting job, especially Herr Schell and Miss Plowright. It's a good children's version of the story. It shows a terrible situation without the terror, and the hope that Anne Frank had about mankind.

Same thing happened with the 1979 TV adaptation of "The Miracle Worker" - the too-tall, too-old Gilbert got to play Helen in that very sunny, CA adaptation funded by her production company (Hint: see the superior 1962 film instead). For this one, Gilbert is too perky & too American as Anne. Also annoying - Doris Roberts as Mrs. van Damm. Clive Reville I had not seen since on the screen he played Fagin in the 1968 film "Oliver." Joan Plowright & Maximillian Schell are the best of the cast, but this adaptation is still too bright & sunny. Better to stick with the 1959 film version.

After watching this you'll be willing to tell the Nazis where Melissa Gilbert and Doris Roberts are hiding! On the positive side Maximillian Schell does a decent job in his part... Melissa Gilbert is something to watch as an older teenaged girl pretending to be 13 but acting more like an 8 year old Laura Ingalls, and still trying to run out of as many scenes as possible in tears. (well it worked on Little House) This film has "bad TV play" written all over it. The actor who plays the teenage boy was also decent in his role. I believe he is the same actor who played opposite Jody Foster in "The little Girl who lives down the lane". He and Mr. Schell are the only ones who avoided bringing shame to the final product.