The Diary of Anne Frank

Although 21-year-old Millie Perkins looked a little too old for her film debut as adolescent Anne Frank in George Stevens' 1959 film adaptation of the hit play by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett (based on Frank's famous journal), she nevertheless served up a moving, milky-eyed sensitive portrayal of the real-life Jewish girl from Amsterdam who hid in an attic with her family and others during the Nazi occupation. An outstanding adult cast includes Joseph Schildkraut as Anne's patient father, Ed Wynn as a grouchy dentist who takes over Anne's "room," and Shelley Winters as the brassy Mrs. Van Daan. Stevens turns the intersecting dramas of these captive characters into life lessons for the evolving Anne, who is ready for love just when it is too late. Beautifully shot by cinematographer William C. Mellor, The Diary of Anne Frank bows on DVD as part of Fox's acclaimed “Studio Classics” line in a characteristically beautiful widescreen transfer with Dolby Digital stereo or mono sound options, and a wealth of extras. A flipper disc, the first side contains the film and a fine commentary track by George Stevens, Jr. and Perkins (who is uncredited on the box), while the second side features the excellent 90-minute documentary Echoes of the Past (narrated by Burt Reynolds), an eight-minute excerpt from 1985's George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey, six Movietone News clips, Perkins' screen test, and more. A steal at $14.98, this is highly recommended. (T. Keogh)[Blu-ray Review—June 23, 2009—Fox, 179 min., not rated, $34.98—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1959's The Diary of Anne Frank sports a nice transfer and a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack. Blu-ray extras include an audio commentary with the director's son George Stevens, Jr. and star Millie Perkins, the History Channel-aired 90-minute documentary The Diary of Anne Frank: Echoes from the Past,” and nearly two-hours worth of new featurettes, including: “George Stevens in WWII,” “The Making of The Diary of Anne Frank: A Son's Memories,” “The Diary of Anne Frank: Memories from Millie Perkins and Diane Baker,” “Shelly Winters and The Diary of Anne Frank,” “The Sound and Music of The Diary of Anne Frank,” “The Diary of Anne Frank: Correspondence,” and a Fox Movie Channel presentation on the film with Tom Rothman. Also included is an excerpt from George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey (8 min.), a press conference with Stevens, a screen test for Perkins, Fox Movietone News clips, an interactive pressbook, a behind-the-scenes photo gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: an excellent Blu-ray debut of a Hollywood classic.]