The Diary of Anne Frank (1959)
First screened in March 2016
Director: George Stevens. Cast: Millie Perkins, Joseph Schildkraut, Gusti Huber, Richard Beymer, Diane Baker, Shelley Winters, Lou Jacobi, Ed Wynn, Douglas Spencer, Dodie Heath, Charles Wagenheim, Frank Tweddell. Screenplay: Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett (based on their play, adapted from the memoir by Anne Frank).

 Twitter Capsule: Exceptional adaptation, especially granting Hollywood license and style. Superb direction and photography.

Second Capsule: An exquisite pleasure for film fans, and perhaps for Oscarphiles especially: discovering a movie you hoped might be good is actually great.

Third Capsule: I have no beef with Winters's winning work, but look how gorgeously Diane Baker underplays the part of Anne's sister Margot. Just exquisite.

VOR: ④  Less renowned than the book, but a feebler movie would be a footnote at best. As a feat of form and acting and as a document of Hollywood seriousness, this movie matters.


Photo © 1959 20th Century Fox

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: A–

Academy Award Nominations and Winners:
Best Picture
Best Director: George Stevens
★Best Supporting Actress: Shelley Winters
Best Supporting Actor: Ed Wynn
★Best Cinematography (Black & White): William C. Mellor
★Best Art Direction (Black & White): Lyle R. Wheeler and George W. Davis; Walter M. Scott and Stuart A. Reiss
Best Costume Design (Black & White): Charles Le Maire and Mary Wills
Best Original Score (Drama/Comedy): Alfred Newman

Golden Globe Nominations and Winners:
Best Picture (Drama)
Best Director: George Stevens
Best Actor (Drama): Joseph Schildkraut
Best Supporting Actress: Shelley Winters
Most Promising Newcomer (Female): Diane Baker
★Best Film Promoting International Understanding

Other Awards:
Writers Guild of America: Best Written American Drama
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