The Hiding Place

While others might not agree, the religious content of this feature while bordering on the preachy side, was well suited if one is at all familiar with Corrie ten Boom and her other works. The horrors Corrie and her sister Betsy faced in Ravensbruk concentration camp were just barely covered. It's a must watch for those interested in the horrors of the Holocaust. While it is admittedly evangelistic, it is gives an excellent view of what good can come out of sufferring. The cameo at the end of Corrie ten Boom herself in her beloved Beje (the ten Boom name for their watch repair/clockshop/home in Haarlem, The Netherlands) made it for me. An excellent and moving experience.

My grandmother took me to see this movie when it was released. I was a child and had not studied the holocaust yet but, even though I only saw this movie one time, I have never forgotten it. It takes a very special movie/story to have such an impact-especially on a child. Over the years, I've thought of this story often but I haven't ever seen it anywhere (TV, video store, etc...). It's a shame this movie hasn't been kept "alive" through re-makes and/or re-runs--It certainly deserves to be given the same respect and attention as "The Diary of Anne Frank" and "Schindler's List"! I'd love to see it again--even though I'd need a much bigger box of tissues this time!

This great movie has been largely ignored by the mainstream of Hollywood, possibly because of the hatred that Hollywood seems to want to foist upon anything Christian.

This movie shows Christian love, and furthermore, it is a true story about how a Christian family lost everything to protect Jews who were strangers to them. It shows their strugges, their imperfections, but most of all, their faith as their resource in life, and their spiritual victory over hideous evil.

A great movie. Great lives. Great truth.

Doesn't get better than this.

High production values and convincing acting make this film one of the best of the faith based films to date. Based on a true story one cannot help but be moved by the horrors of the Holocaust. Yet at the same time we are inspired by its compelling presentation of the power of faith and the will to survive. The bond of love between the two sisters is especially moving. Julie Harris and Jeannette Clift both provide nuanced and convincing portrayals of the ten Boom sisters. Jeannette Clift received a Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of the older sister Corrie ten Boom. Unfortunately this film has long been overlooked by the mainstream critics and movie goers. There seems to be a cultural bias against faith based films that has prevented this film from receiving it's due credit. I highly recommend this film!

This is another Holocaust story that is well worth watching. It is the true story of 50+ year old Corrie ten Boom, her older siblings and their father all devout Christians. Their love and faith prompt them to be part of the Dutch underground and to hide Jews in their home. For this they are sent to prison. The rest of the film centers on Corrie and her sister Betsie. They endure the hardships of the prison camp by remaining true to the teachings of Christ.

The movie is well made and acted and not at all "preachy". As with all movies they did make some changes from the book. However the basic story was kept intact. I did not understand the change in the character called "Eusie". Some beautiful lines in the book were changed or left out. The most notable is when it is pointed out to Papa ten Boom that if they kept a Jewish mother and baby they could "lose your lives for this Jewish child". Papa takes the baby and says "I would consider that the greatest honor that could come to our family." The scene was in the movie but not that line.

Eileen Heckert did an especially fine job as a fellow prisoner who has become hardened by prison life but still retains her humanity. Arthur O'Connell plays Papa ten Boom with grace, dignity and warmth. Julie Harris seems to really be Betsie. Newcomer Jeanette Clift is excellent in the lead role of Corrie.

I don't think one has to be a Christian to enjoy this movie. I did think the book was better and I encourage everyone to read the book. The movie is very good too and I highly recommend it. The movie does not contain any gory scenes or scenes that would be overly upsetting for children learning about the Holocaust. It should be watched with a parent.