The Diary of Anne Frank

This BBC television production, despite its title, is not a remake of the Pulitzer Prize–winning play by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, but a new adaptation of Anne Frank's posthumously published diary. Set in an authentic reproduction of the house in wartime Amsterdam where Anne, her parents, and her sister, along with four others, hid from the Nazis for more than two years, the essence of the drama remains the same, but this telling places a greater emphasis on the physical aspects of the claustrophobic terror evoked by the situation. Teenager Ellie Kendrick delivers an outstanding performance as the heroine, capturing the intelligence and complexity revealed in the original work in a vibrant portrayal that is, arguably, closer in spirit to its inspiration than the somewhat Americanized interpretations by Millie Perkins in the celebrated 1959 film and Melissa Gilbert in the 1980 made-for-television version. Directed by Jon Jones, this latest effort was initially presented as a five-part miniseries, but for the DVD release stateside is offered here in both its original format and an abridged 100-minute movie version. Even though the tragic story of Anne Frank's life and death has been told numerous times, it deserves to be repeated: this wonderful production offers a fine tribute to her indefatigable spirit. Highly recommended. (P. Hall)