Otto Frank talks Anne's diary | Anne Frank House

This is one of the few television interviews Otto Frank gave. Sitting in one of the rooms of the Secret Annex, he is talking about his surprise at the things his daughter Anne Frank wrote in her diary. Her thoughts on life, her self-criticism: this was not the daughter he had known.
Otto was the only member of his family to survive the holocaust. When he returned, Miep Gies gave him his daughters diary. She had saved it after the people in hiding had been arrested. After reading it, Otto Frank decided to publish the diary. As he puts it: To build up a future you have to know the past.
The video is an excerpt from the television program The Legacy of Anne Frank, which was part of the series The Eternal Light by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America & NBC. It was broadcast on 24 December 1967. The Anne Frank House holds an original film copy of this rarely shown film.
Everything about Anne Frank: her life, her diary, and the Secret Annex.
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About the Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House was established on 3 May 1957 in cooperation with Otto Frank, Anne Frank’s father. We are an independent non-profit organisation that runs a museum in the house where Anne Frank went into hiding and we try to increase awareness of Anne’s life story all over the world, encouraging people to reflect on the dangers of antisemitism, racism, and discrimination, and the importance of freedom, equal rights, and democracy.

[@David7ManUtd]

"..most parents don't know really their children." Truth being said.

[@Evzone1821]

I couldn't imagine what he was going through when he found out his entire family was dead

[@keithgreen40]

Otto Frank was a wonderful man. He gave back to the world after losing all.

[@stephens42]

He's such a amazing man, his daughters were gone. He didn't keep the diary to himself he let us read it

[@JD43232]

This man lost his whole world, And had no idea what was going through his daughters head. Imagine reading her diary and getting to know your own daughter with more depht while knowing she died from disease,weakness and starvation in a camp where innocent people were treated like useless animals. Heartbreaking.

[@christiesmith4589]

After losing his whole family the diary was his whole life, Anne should have lived, at the end of her life she thought she had lost her whole family, if she had known her father had survived she would have held on, she would be 87 now.

[@cadygrenier1197]

I just watched The Diary of Anne Frank and I cried my eyes out. I'm also reading the book now. I'm​ so genuinely sorry for Otto. He's a strong man to be able to get through that much pain.

[@craigsmith157]

Cady Grenier I cried my eyes out, too after reading the book and cried even more after watching the movie. And yes, this is coming from a grown man.

[@jabcv28]

what makes me want to cry my eyes out is when he was talking about Anne's self criticism, he looked so pained and looked like he wanted to cry. It must of hurt so much knowing, after the fact, that your child hated a lot of things about herself. I would just hate knowing that.

[@bamboorepublica]

I stop to think of the little things in life that irritate me. Yet I look at Otto and can't imagine I could continue living if I had lost my wife and my children. Just the thought makes me ill to my stomach.

[@priyakshi.7128]

Anne is the reason I started to write diary and my inner self out through writing...She was a very brave girl and beloved of God.

[@samuelkyle-whitson8632]

Amazing how he can talk about it, it's a very sad story about his daughters.

[@summerluvbug]

On April 27, 1943 Anne wrote “The number of air strikes on German cities is increasing daily. We haven't had a good night's rest in ages, and I have bags under my eyes from lack of sleep.” amazing to hear people complain about lack of sleep due to children, etc.. when you read this you realize wow my life is not bad.

[@StarletLola]

I visited the Anne Frank house in March. It was so emotional and I broke into tears several times during the visit. There is a picture of Otto Frank, on his return to the annexe after the war, in the last room of the museum. That picture is so powerful and peaceful and I begin to cry imagining if my own father was going through that much pain.

[@FrankRios2b]

Reading the Diary changed the way I view life. I consider it a must read for all people.

[@malibu64]

I just finished reading her Diary for the first time - at 23, I know I'm a little late to the game. I wish I read it when I was a teenager. I would have gotten so much comfort from it. I'm at a loss for words just now. Her diary is the enduring proof that she was a very special person.

[@connieocon3642]

I have just decided to buy Anne Frank's Diary for my 13 year-old daughter. I hope it will teach her to never take things for granted. Thank you Anne.

[@uneedsleep]

when i read the diary I thought of anne as my friend, she was very relatable

[@clavefor]

I saw the Secret Annex in Amsterdam a week ago. Read the book before I went. When I went it was so sad to know they had been there, alive, and weren't alive to see that they are now honored and prayed for in heaven every day. It was touching.

[@avdreader1]

Rest in Peace Frank Family. I read Anne's Diary and have never forgotten it. May it be read forever.

[@marilynalexis]

wow may god bless him up in heaven . He will forever be apart of history along with his family. A big Controversy that struck the world happened we were just lucky enough to have someone write it down !

[@yashaswini2434]

brave man who lost everything and still survived

[@TheBanana1226]

Respect for this guy, it's amazing how even after he lost everything, his daughters, his wife, his friends...he still managed to make the most out of his life. And even made it better for other people with the Anne Frank Foundation.

[@malakoz]

even though its not a sad video, it made me cry knowing he lost his children, how do you ever get over the loss of a child? anne and margot where beautiful.

[@careforjusticealways]

Anne was relatable and down to earth. Rest in peace. a symbol of hope in a world that can seem so hopeless

[@Ricky02]

Anne Frank was a wonderful girl. And Otto Frank was also a great father

[@alvahlifeisgood5778]

Him and everybody in the annex are a huge inspiration everyone could learn so much from them

[@JennyLicious58]

thank for everything you did after you had to suffer from the loss of your whole family. And thank you for having this wonderful daughter who became an inspiration for every young generation after her

[@Celinej01]

I hope you are resting in peace Otto

[@pricillaflores4394]

Poor man on losing such a loving family and friends! if only anne saw herself today! Oh man you know very she'll never be forrgotten, Beacuse heros are always remembered but legends never die

[@shalinid4777]

Thank you for sharing this. Otto Frank's generosity, his utter lack of bitterness and his wisdom inspire me to better my life. May his soul rest in peace. God bless.

[@silentmoviequeen]

Anne was a victim of the cruel and horrific nazi regime and in reading her diary i identified myself with her because just like me she loved to read. Now the franks are together in peace forever.

[@sajithmundath]

I'm reading Anne's diary nowadays at the age of 40. She was very much matured at that age. Now only I'm matured enough to read her diary. She should have lived a beautiful life. Young people should read Anne's diary so that they can live a fruitful life.

[@merfwriter]

What a loving father Otto Frank was. Anne Frank was very lucky to have a father like him. She must really have loved her Pim (as she fondly called him).

[@fuegoaloha4415]

I have always respected Otto Frank since I learned about him due to my great uncle fighting in the war. I was educated on him as a child and as an adult I still look back to their movie and videos.

[@myMockingbird8416]

we watched the diary of anne frank today in reading class, and i cried for two hours thinking of what the frank family and millions of other jewish families went through. it amazes me that someone could be so cruel to so many people, and it makes me want to do my part in making the world a more peaceful place. like this is you agree!

[@nglemay12]

I will be playing this wonderful, brilliant man in a production of The Diary of Anne Frank this coming December, and I can safely say I've never been more excited for anything in my life. The story of everyone that lived in and assisted those in the Secret Annex is quite tragic, but also incredibly inspiring, and it is a story that will continue on with humanity for as long as civilization stands. Truly a powerful play, and an even more powerful group of people and lives.

[@dogsarecute1570]

Otto was a amazing man, he has been through such hard times it's just heartbreaking, we all can't imagine😭 I just went to the musical anne, and it made me even cry more, r.i.p the best family that have ever existed❤❤❤

[@15jbullock]

just imagine how he felt when he heard about the Death of Anne and Margot i bet he cried his heart out

[@kacyocallaghan7542]

The poor man I couldn’t imagine what he went threw I look up to Anne as a romodel so I’m glad he published it to show the world the horrors that they and many more had to go threw

[@kylehollie]

I can not imagine as a parent what this would have meant. God bless this man … he shared.. and we are all better for it.

[@Winston0Boogie]

What a great and tragic man..

[@dorydiavelone3531]

Such a wise young woman, a person I could so deeply relate to, I feel such a deep love for her , I would have wanted to be her friend!!

[@Berge2002]

wonderful english of a wonderful man

[@AnnaBariacchis]

This is so moving.

[@ddeiterscrysania]

I cant imagine what he went through losing his entire family. It breaks my heart to know what the Nazis put people through.

[@ohyeaforme]

My eyes fill up with tears when I think of what this man lived through. I'm so thankful he shared his Daughters Diary with the world.

[@XxXem0chickXxX]

I am 52, and have just finished reading Anne Frank's Diary . It is never too late . I am honoured to have learnt about this amazing family

[@painpuppy]

God bless you Sir. You are now all together again in the realms of peace and happiness.

[@Tony63909]

Otto Frank was brilliant.He believed,as was expressed on the video, that most parents don't really know their children. I wish he could have suggested ways or things parents can do to get to know them in the way Otto got to know his daughter after reading her diary.

[@JSolo-ko9eh]

What an amazing man. I can still see the sorrow in his eyes. 😢

[@MultiBenchboy]

i feel sorry for him

[@tkomic19]

Anna, a one in a Trillion human

[@septictigergaming2368]

Wow, I just watched this for class, this is really inspiring. I hope that man knew what he did for the world, as well as Anne.

[@dundeedougdog]

Otto Can see his Family Now he is in a better place you see god let him stay alive so annes story could be heard god bless

[@BarbieLiu]

Can feel the pain he must've went through after hearing the tragic news of beloved daughter 😢

[@LilyZerep]

I couldn't imagine what he went through. It must've been really hard for him to read Anne's diary and talk about it. I wish I could've met him.

[@SameachGirl]

This is such a touching video, I love Anne Frank and Otto so much. If you look into Otto's eyes in this vid, you'll see an ocean of wisdom in them... it's so beautiful.

[@powerfulpowerzz]

his spirit and wisdom is touching. i think we all wish we couldve met him at least once

[@courtneyluvsglee]

There are only two places I want to go before I die, New York and I want to visit the annex

[@pixi2nv]

God this just breaks my heart

[@blueangel0925]

I own The Diary of a Young Girl, and it is my favorite book. I read it all the time. I'm so glad that I found this rare interview of Anne's father as well.

[@annie10103]

@Vegasbabex Its an incredible feeling when you get to the Annex. You can just feel her presence there with you. Its just so emotional.

[@ghostlyme]

I pray that the Frank Family is resting in peace now. May they never be forgotten.

[@AnneFrankforeverx3]

I would have loved to write to him like so many other children did.Having a personal reponse from him would have been amazig.RIP Otto,Anne,Margot,and Edith.Family together in heaven♥

[@user-qg8qg2sp7i]

RIP Mr Frank and Happy heavenly birthday and wedding anniversary from me ❤

[@meadbhdenver2147]

This has helped me a lot for a report I am doing on Anne Frank! :)

[@SteveBaily6]

Otto frank is such a gentleman, I try to be like him.

[@wowloverlol1]

i wish that there was a video of anne actually speakin for her self

[@CooperPlaysGames]

I feel so sorry for him, coming back from World War 2 to find that his wife and 2 daughters were arrested and killed :(

[@ladyyuna2000]

my heart and prayer goes out to him and his family that didnt Survived the concentration camp.

[@FranMSK]

What an extraordinary, extraordinary man.

[@jennyrules11]

i've been to the annex in amsterdam before and its so touching

[@LC030966]

Meu Deus...Que profunda tristeza gravada na alma do Sr. Otto, pai de Anne Frank. Tanto sofrimento causado pelo nazismo. Um herói sobrevivente da crueldade de Hitler e seus aliados.

[@Shavarosh]

very impressive video.

[@2393emma]

poor man. cant imagine how he could talk about that looking so serene

[@krypternova]

i went to the house just yesteday , just remarkable

[@ekgrulez1]

R.I.P. Otto and his family, all the others who were in hiding with them, and the people who cared for them

[@Mesmerizy]

He is a great man!!

[@111swinka]

So sad :(

[@StephanieIAm]

God bless Otto Frank.

[@hasansexy]

Can't imagine how it must have felt for him :(

[@Haileysaggus]

this video helped me out alot for my research project for Anne Frank

[@Random136studios]

its fate, he was the only surviver, it was god who let otto live so her story could be heard.

[@justicejumbo]

This just makes me feel sad..T-T

[@Marixxen2]

I just read Anne Franks diary, and it was nice to hear "Pims" (her dad) thought after reading it himself. It's truly sad she had to die couse of some crazy peoples idea...

[@AdventuresofFatward]

That poor family... and all the others... tore apart because one man didn't think people were pure. D: God Bless him

[@stephenouma]

@petescan321 He was a good man. Hid Annelies for for 2 years giving Anne time to write her wonderful diary

[@kennylee12313]

@AnneFrankforeverx3 I have read about a chapter of the halocaust. I am deeply moved andI really do hope that the Van Danns and the Frank family is alright.

[@jesgalchick12]

wow.

[@ihatepeopleize]

Im hurt becuase how many people hate others because of there race there color this video made me sad

[@judyrose1957]

I feel for them... I was so horrible. BUT... I have a copy of the 1969 copy... Which I will be getting rid of because I read it.. I found 90 percent to be long winded and boring.. a mslal part gave true insight though most say, the girl did not write all of the diary that her father rewrote and or finished or added much of what is in the diary. It is said and I feel this is true, that the diary is written to adult like, so sophisicated to have come from such an inexperienced young girl. Who nos?