Movies | August 13, 2009 | 100 comments

Disney acquires the rights to Anne Frank's story

source: http://weblogs.variety.com/bfdealmemo/2009/08/mamet-disney-team-on-frank-tale.html

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Disney has acquired the rights to a film version of 'The Diary of Anne Frank.' The film will be directed and written by Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet, and aims to focus more on Anne's story as a 'young girl's right of pasage.'
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100 comments // Disney acquires the rights to Anne Frank's story

  • dariusvons
    • 0
      dariusvons  

    • J: you really think they're going to keep true to the story? cynic or not, disney rarely if ever holds true to the stories they sell. they're just trying to cash in on the holocaust, and give kids a false sence of history. and yes a cynical majority IS still a majority none the less...

      also you can't tell me they're going to keep the lesbian thing in the disney version either. come on really? you think that disney will do something like that?

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • dariusvons
  • J_Jammer
  • Hollow_Eyes
    • 0
      Hollow_Eyes  

    • "Not shockingly I was right and now we can all see (because we all wanted facts) how Disney will do great when they have the Diary Rights."

      Yeah, you don't have an inflated, oversized ego do you?

      You've downed every single person here that doesn't agree with you. Do you have stock in Disney or are you some kind of PR intern or what?

      Seriously. It's one thing for people to have different opinions. That's cool and all and I'm glad people express them, but you are crossing the line by sitting there and more or less calling everyone who doesn't agree with you and idiot.

      I'm sorry we all don't share the same chipper optimism you do about Disney and it's acquisition of Anne Frank's Diary but that gives you no right to down everyone who disagrees with you, nor does it give you the right to talk as if you have the most infallible logic known to mankind.

      I'm taking the high road and not sinking to troll level and making this a flame war but I am calling you out on your behavior/actions because you alone are making this article reek of bias and just making it unfriendly to even post anything remotely negative about it.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  
    • Hollow_Eyes:

      You don't have to share it, because you have no backing that they'll do wrong.

      RIGHT THERE in that article points to the FACT that they have already done this before and done it correctly and with respect.

      As I thought people would have a problem with being proven wrong.

      It's not a matter of opinion when there is ample proof that they are not terrible at doing something. It's then just a matter of dislike for the company without justification.

      And high road means not making an insult period. You tripped and fell down the mountain on that one.

      ooops.

      As for the high road ego comment---I knew I was right and when I found something that totally nullifies everyones doubts without proof....it was right to share it, especially when said people were so crass towards a company for no good reason.

      Bullies bullying who they are bullies are bullies themselves.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  
    • Image

    • to Bertkamp:

      "The producers weren't able to obtain rights to Anne Frank's diary from the Swiss foundation that controls the copyright, so her own language is missing from this production. That absence is felt. The film honorably reflects Anne's life and suffering while reinforcing the incredible value of her writing -- which remains far more trenchant than any secondhand version of her story. At 13 she was already an astute reporter not only of her own inner turmoil and of her immediate world, but of the events going on outside the secret annex."

      below the line is only for everyone else in this thread that had a problem with Disney....not for anyone else.
      ---------------------------------------------------------

      Oh and by the way.....just so you know why this article is important for more than one reason...Disney had already made a film (TV miniseries) about Anne Frank but it was not based on her Diary as this one will be.

      And this article points (as you can read above) how the film "honorably reflects Anne's life and suffering while reinforcing the incredible value of her writing."

      Not shockingly I was right and now we can all see (because we all wanted facts) how Disney will do great when they have the Diary Rights.

      I don't expect anyone to admit they were wrong, because that would make sense, but at least now you know you were.

    • 2 years ago
  • bertkamp
    • 0
      bertkamp  
    • J_Jammer:

      Actually I am not wrong in the slightest. If you read what I wrote I said Disney is fully capable of making a touching movie. I then stated that they do have a record of taking serious stories and bastardizing them which is a very true statement. Seeing it is how you claim to be some kind of history buff. I would think you would know that. Just remember YOU were wrong to attack my statement. And you do not know what you are typing about.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • bertkamp
  • J_Jammer
  • imabettie
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  
    • imabettie:

      Not the end. It would have to begin.

      It does not compare to what they are going to be doing with Anne Frank. Why? because this is a well known book. Stories about Indians and the link are not well known. And even though they are not totally word for word the story (the Indian ones) what Disney does do is get people interested. Anyone taking a movie for historical value are stupid. ANY movie...even Schindler's List.

      And any parent sitting their child down for a history lesson SHOWING THEM A MOVIE isn't too bright to begin with.

      Not even BOOKS are historically accurate all the time. Not even HISTORY books that they use in school are correct as they should be.

      Do you know who John Adams is? Do you know how important his role in America's birth was? Do you know that he was the driving force behind the three people that everyone practically knows about: Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin? He got Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence. He picked George Washington as the General. He pushed Benjamin Franklin to have an opinion when he would rarely share in Congress any kind of opinion.

      Do they teach that in history classes? No. Not in Middle School, not in High School and I do not believe even at the University do they teach that. Believe it or not I learned that from a musical 1776 that I was shown by one of the best History teachers I had...in 8th grade. Did I think that they sang and dance back then like they do in that movie? No...because I don't take the movie verbatim as historically accurate. But based on Historians it is pretty accurate aside from the singing.

      Also John Adams the miniseries is a good source of info about him, but, again, it shouldn't be taken verbatim. It should be a starting point and then research.

      Movies can be a teaching tool.

      One could use Disney's version to show the emotional story and then ask what it was about the story that was not correct.

      You people make it sound like they viciously alter things and that is not the case. Bitter are the people that love books and then have a fit when they are made into movies failing to understand how a movie is created and how to hold people's attention. Nothing's worse than someone that loves a book and then states the book is better than the movie. DUH.

    • 2 years ago
  • swinhoe
  • J_Jammer
  • swinhoe
  • J_Jammer
  • dariusvons
  • J_Jammer
  • dariusvons
  • J_Jammer
  • blue_blooded
    • 0
      blue_blooded  
    • dariusvons:

      j_jammer, it doesn't matter if it's about history or not!
      what we're saying is that Disney takes stories, both historical and fictional, keep the name but change EVERYTHING! They have no integrity for history or literature. They take someones work and change it to the point where they should have just used another name! They completely twisted Pocahontas in to a fantastical fairy tale!
      OH and have we all forgotten about Anastasia!!!

    • 2 years ago
  • swinhoe
    • 0
      swinhoe  
    • dariusvons:

      seriously, dont bite.

      the more we post. the more he spams the thread.

      its clear that most people appreciate that Disney should not be allowed to make this film - im over convincing one idiot.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • Hollow_Eyes
    • 0
      Hollow_Eyes  

    • "Yes...because every single thing they do that's exactly what happens."

      More or less, yes.

      Have you ever seen a depressing ending to a Disney film? Have you ever seen a Disney film that doesn't have a candy coated outlook on life? I don't just mean the kiddie ones either. I mean the more teenage based ones. It's all inclusive.

      Disney has attached it's name to a myriad of films. Not just animated ones or Pixar films. So again, I ask, if you've seen a Disney movie with a realistic ending to it, do tell.

      I understand they are suppose to be happy and all if that gumdrop crap, which is exactly why I am against them obtaining the rights to the story of Anne Frank.

      Anne Frank is about as close to Disney material as Rasputin or Trotsky is. "Disney's The Rad Red Revolution." Yeah, real enticing, isn't it?

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  
    • Hollow_Eyes:

      I'm sorry you're so cynical that you hate happy endings.

      I'm so sorry that you don't see Anne Frank as more than just a sad story.

      I'm sorry that you can't see her more than a depressed child. I'm sure in that entire diary she never once wrote about a happy moment.....

      ....OH WAIT...she did.

      Sorry her story isn't as depressing as you wish it to be.

      I'm also sorry you fail to remember how many parents die in Disney Films.

      But you are only seeing with blinders, I forgive you.

    • 2 years ago
  • ZeldaMasterZapp
    • 0
      ZeldaMasterZapp  

    • For Science sake...WTF? I'm glad I grew up with the latter half of generation y, because the bottom half and Gen Z are going to have a fucked up time. Prepare for Pocahontas type treatment and Disney slapping their names on already famous stories as stupid ass kids think Disney made it.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • idontknowww
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  
    • idontknowww:

      Name calling is against the rules.

      You do know how to read, don't you? It appears you don't. Don't worry when the movie comes out you won't admit how wrong you were about them screwing it up.

      I'll resurrect this to remind you how wrong you were.

    • 2 years ago
  • blue_blooded
  • J_Jammer
  • imp_print
    • imp_print  
    • This comment was removed as a violation of community guidelines.
  • J_Jammer
  • imabettie
    • 0
      imabettie  

    • "Mamet brings his own original take on the material that could re-frame the story as a young girl’s rite of passage."

      I didn't know that dying in the Holocaust was a rite of passage.

      Sounds a lot like butchering to me.

    • 2 years ago
  • imabettie
    • 0
      imabettie  

    • J_Jammer, I still don't really understand why you are arguing this so vehemently. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. According to Disney's history of making kids movies, they have taken historical event (whether they state it's based on a true story or not) and have completely butchered them, turning them into happy fairytales. All evidence points to a shitty movie. Anne Frank is a tragic true life story that does not in any way shape or form deserve the Disney treatment. If they do indeed make the movie that way, a new generation of kids will grow up not knowing the true story until they are much older. And then, factor in how school programs are run nowadays, where reading has become such a minuscule part of the curriculum. Either way, there already is an Anne Frank movie. I don't know why Hollywood is so obsessed with remakes now.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  
    • imabettie:

      Which ones?

      Because if you use a CARTOON to back your point...you've lost. Cartoons never historically accurate. That's because they are cartoons.

      Animated.

      I am ready to hear people sing a different tune just like they did when Heath Ledger was doubted.

    • 2 years ago
  • imabettie
    • 0
      imabettie  
    • imabettie:

      Heath Ledger was a fantastic actor, but I don't know why that's relevant to this thread. In any case, Disney doesn't really need to take a factual event from the most devastating war the world has ever seen and turn it into a pile of mush, animated or not. They make movies for the sake of entertainment rather than telling the story. The story is what is most important in this case.

      But now it seems that you are just playing devil's advocate, trying to get a rise out of people. Congratulations, you succeeded. And now we can stop replying to you and egging you on.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  
    • imabettie:

      As I thought...you got nothing. Bringing up an animated movie as proof they screw up history is like stating Looney Tunes was trying to be the Discovery channel by sharing their knowledge on animal behavior.

      The majority of the world thought it was a joke that Heath Ledger could pull off being the most villainous character in all literature. A small fraction actually believed it was possible.

      And to state he was a great actor makes me think you only realized that after he died.

    • 2 years ago
  • hayden_augustus
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  
    • hayden_augustus:

      Proof?

      Hopefully you're not talking about Cartoons.

      You must have facts that back up your anger. Or maybe a bottle will help you clam down?

      Be a parent to your child...Disney is not a parent. They just entertain. Blaming them for screwing up kids is laughable and very victimish of you.

    • 2 years ago
  • swinhoe
  • J_Jammer
  • blue_blooded
    • 0
      blue_blooded  
    • hayden_augustus:

      "Proof?"
      j_jammer what the fuck are you talking about?!
      What do u need proof about? thats Disney makes kids movies? That Disney makes kids movies with happy cuddly endings?? That Disney makes kids movies that make complicated situations,like the on in Pocahontas really simple? Just go to blockbuster and get some of these movies, and watch them!
      We need proof. Why should we not think that Disney is going to do the same thing with Anne Frank's story? Why should we not worry about her story being butchered?

      Proof?

    • 2 years ago
  • booksellergirl
    • 0
      booksellergirl  
    • hayden_augustus:

      Wow, J_Jammer, you're coming off like quite a jerk. I, for one, think that hayden_augustus has a good point. Disney does coat the world in a sickly-sugary goo that for my taste is not so sweet.

      BTW, hayden_augustus, I'm truly sorry about what happened to your family.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  
    • hayden_augustus:

      That Disney makes historical movies that are horribly inaccurate.

      No proof.

      That's conjecture.

      Emotional ties to the war do not warrant unjustifed attacks on a company that makes movies...especially when they do not make historical ones...normally.

      I lost people in the war too. Doesn't make my point more right because I state it.

    • 2 years ago
  • swinhoe
  • J_Jammer
  • swinhoe
    • 0
      swinhoe  
    • hayden_augustus:

      nope, dont need one.

      Disney, whether they were founded by a Nazi or not, are an *entertainment* company.

      And to the end of the 'tale' explanation your right.

      But the Anne Frank story is NOT entertainment.

      It is an important part of history that should not be treated as entertainment, in a similar way that Pocahontas was.

      They should not be allowed to provied a happy-ending story to this gritty and harsh account of the horrors of the Nazi rule.

      If my children one day consider the Disney film the real story, compared to the Anne Frank diaries i read at school, i shall be highly disappointed by the world.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • swinhoe
    • 0
      swinhoe  
    • hayden_augustus:

      "THEY HAVE NOT MADE THE MOVIE YET.

      Judging before it even comes out without ANY proof that they will hack it up....is terrible and that is something you shouldn't teach a child.

      Prejudging."

      so im right ?

      you refuse to answer my point.

      im saying it wont be good.

      im saying it should not be made by Disney.

      with me ?

      and who said anythign about prejudging to kids ? wtf ?

      surely you must see the weight of importance regarding this story and whay it can not be treat lightly...

      .. but then maybe not.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • swinhoe
  • J_Jammer
  • blue_blooded
  • J_Jammer
  • booksellergirl
  • SageRockandRoll
  • ddelazan
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  
    • ddelazan:

      People sometimes think they are witty or they are going to post something unique and funny. However, bashing Disney is so cool...that it becomes redundant and retarded..and not the cool rain man kind.

      Elitist attitudes is what boils down to.

    • 2 years ago
  • swinhoe
  • J_Jammer
  • blue_blooded
    • 0
      blue_blooded  
    • ddelazan:

      What? don't comment cuz u don't agree with us? because u don't have the same worries that the rest of us do? Please!!
      you've been shooting everyone down claiming that Disney is not going to ruin the story but u have yet to name one historical movie that Disney has made well. I'm not saying they don't exist, maybe they do. And if they do i would like to know, instead of u just telling me that i'm an elitist just cuz i have an opinion, give me a reason to agree with you!

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  
    • ddelazan:

      If you want quiet from me you don't comment and then I'll be quiet.

      But if you're going to continue to spew disorganized thoughts about Disney because you're bitter...well I'm going to reply.

      Miracle
      Newsies

      But based on Disney's list of movies they do not dabble in Historical fare.....often enough for anyone to be so lame about if they can or cannot.

    • 2 years ago
  • imp_print
    • 0
      imp_print  

    • Great now they can rape her story like they did Pocahontas'. Maybe they will marry her off to an SS officer in a catchy dance number.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • imp_print
  • J_Jammer
  • swinhoe
    • 0
      swinhoe  

    • Does no-one else see the irony here ?

      Walt Disney the famously accused Nazi... responsible for making a film about a girl escaping the Nazi's... ?

      ... i'll shut-up then.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • ashley_in_dreams
  • J_Jammer
  • dainjdc
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  

    • These silly comments remind me of everyone that was like....hell no Heath Ledger can't be the Joker.

      And then what happened?

      Oh this will so happen for this situation.

    • 2 years ago
  • jesuswho
  • SurfwaxMax
  • unclecharlie
    • 0
      unclecharlie  

    • One of the worst movies I've ever seen was by David Mamet- "Lakeboat". Who will play the Evil Gestapo Man? The Frank's loving pet dog will be played by Pluto. No doubt, they'll have Anne Frank singing her heart out- as she sits in that liitle cubbyhole.."When You Wish Upon A Star"............It's a shame Disney was able to go ahead with "Disneyfying" one of the most tragic stories of WWII- this is almost as bad as Disney trying to come up with a Civil War theme park, a few years back. (Sell your sister down the river for a bag of cotton candy and a caramel apple.)

    • 2 years ago
  • Hollow_Eyes
    • 0
      Hollow_Eyes  

    • The black and white film version was good. So tragic (of course) but was good.

      Disney though? Really? What are they going to do? Pretend she never gets captured by Nazi's and dies in a concentration camp?

      That is the reason I hate Disney. They fill young kids minds with fairytale bullshit endings that have no inkling of a chance of happening. The younger kids these days are already soft enough. They can hardly take an insult without thinking it's the end of all things.

      No, the world isn't all misery and death but a lot of it is.

      I see absolutely nothing good coming from a Disney version of the story of Anne Frank.

      What's next? Disney's version of the Passion?

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • revolutioninamerica
  • J_Jammer
  • ReganMann
  • DJMatt2
  • J_Jammer
  • maxjunk
  • LegendaryHater
  • bertkamp
    • 0
      bertkamp  
    • DJMatt2:

      Im not jewish but if the Anne Frank movie resembles anything like that. I will help the Jewish people in burning Disney to ashes.

      Just kidding, besides no film maker is stupid enough to really do that.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • bubbeemonkey
    • 0
      bubbeemonkey  

    • Hopefully Disney will distribute this through Miramax rather than putting it out themselves. Anne Franks story is a compelling one and if its Disney-fied that would be a crime.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  
    • bubbeemonkey:

      No it would not be. If they use their name then children will want to see it and they can do good by teaching them something about History.

      Disney isn't childish by name alone. Even their animated films are more highbrow than most animated films...even those of Dreamworks who use crass humor in their child films.

    • 2 years ago
  • AnnieMole
    • 0
      AnnieMole  

    • As long as it's not an animated musical or doesn't feature Miley Cyrus in anyway, it will be interesting to see what they do with it though.

    • 2 years ago
  • smurph25
  • imabettie
    • 0
      imabettie  

    • NO!!! Disney will totally destroy her story, just like they did the Little Mermaid. Ever read that story? It's super depressing.

    • 2 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • 206066867
  • lordsbassman
  • mattbrawn
  • J_Jammer
  • heimbachae
  • lordsbassman
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