The film captures the lively spirit of Anne, writing down her feelings without a hint of self-pity and always striving to look for the best in a world turned upside down.

One of those extremely long and well-meaning adaptations of plays, this doesn't really amount to very much, despite its intrinsically moving subject matter.

Mr. Stevens has done a superb job of putting upon the screen the basic drama and shivering authenticity of the Frances Goodrich-Albert Hackett play, which in turn caught the magnitude of drama in the real-life diary of a Jewish girl.

The commentary on optimism, faith, fairness, underlying goodness, and the human spirit makes the film a powerful achievement.