Where to start
The Diary of Anne Frank
3 versions · originally a film, 1959
These adaptations provide an intimate, harrowing window into the claustrophobic reality of a young girl hiding from Nazi persecution.
✦ Most fans start here
The Diary of Anne Frank (1959)

The original movie
✦ Start hereThe Diary of Anne Frank
George Stevens · Film · 1959
The Diary of Anne Frank (1959) offers a sweeping, cinematic perspective on the attic confinement, utilizing George Stevens' masterful direction to emphasize the profound vulnerability of the Frank family.
1964 book
The Diary of Anne Frank
Frances Goodrich · Book · 1964
The Diary of Anne Frank (1964) presents the narrative as a staged play, distilling the diary's emotional intensity into a focused, dialogue-driven format that highlights the interpersonal tensions in hiding.

2009 series
The Diary of Anne Frank
Series · 2009
The Diary of Anne Frank (2009) provides a serialized, five-part television adaptation that allows for a more expansive, patient exploration of the daily struggles faced by the family in Amsterdam.
Common questions
Is The Diary of Anne Frank 1959 movie based on the book?
Yes, the 1959 film The Diary of Anne Frank is a cinematic adaptation of the original 1964 book. Both works document the experiences of Anne Frank while she was in hiding during the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II.
How does the 2009 TV version of The Diary of Anne Frank compare to the 1959 film?
The 2009 TV adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank and the 1959 film are both based on the same source material. While they share the same historical subject matter, they differ in their production style, runtime, and specific directorial choices made to interpret the original text.
What is the source material for The Diary of Anne Frank?
The primary source material for The Diary of Anne Frank is the book published in 1964. This text serves as the foundation for both the 1959 feature film and the 2009 television adaptation, providing the historical account of Anne Frank's life in hiding.
Should I read the book before watching The Diary of Anne Frank movie?
Reading the 1964 book before watching the 1959 film version of The Diary of Anne Frank provides additional context for the events depicted. However, both the book and the film are self-contained works that can be experienced in any order to understand the historical narrative.