The Hiding Place (1975) User Reviews

A wonderful film

[laurajaykay · 8/10 · 1 February 2006]

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.

A Test of Faith

[The Gryphon · 6/10 · 29 July 2009]

During the swell of Nazi Germany, the Christian ten Boom family struggle to make safe all who seek sanctuary in their home. They hire a sympathetic builder to create a hiding place in one of their rooms for when the Gestapo are near. A sympathetic German officer benevolently tries to warn the ten Booms that their hiding place is becoming well known and warns them to be extra careful as to whom they trust. What happens next focuses on the ten Boom sisters, Corrie and Betsie, and how they survive the harsh realities that face them and test their faith in God and Jesus. This was Jennette Clift's only movie role and what a role it is, as the main focus of the story, Corrie ten Boom.

excellent period piece; an excellent and moving experience

[alrk66-1 · 8/10 · 19 August 2002]

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.

Great Acting, Great True Story.

[planetfifi · 1 October 2003]

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.

Amazing "Impact" story!!

[spirithorse-3 · 10/10 · 2 June 2006]

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!

Hard hitting

[colin-399 · 10/10 · 23 April 2006]

Hello it is me again. I am biased because I was actually in the film itself as an extra. I played one of the Capos ( privileged prisoners ). Mr.Collier was a wonderful man, very kind and understanding to those of us who had never been an extra before. I have always appreciated what people like The Ten Boons did during the war so that all of us could live in peace afterwards, it is just a shame the young of today do not feel the same way. I was born a year before the war ended and I can remember I was 4years old before my late Father met me. Anyway I am digressing. I was living in Brighton England at the time when I saw the advert in local paper for film extras. I and many others went for auditions and were selected. The strange thing was, that the second half of the film (Ravensbruk Concentration Camp for Women) was actually filmed in the Army Camp in Lingfield Surrey where I did my basic training. In England the womens army is known as Womens Royal Army Corp or WRACS for short and Lingfield at the time was the base. It is, I believe now at Mill Hill in London. The first half of film was done in Holland and Lingfield was to represent the camp in Germany. It was strange being back there because after there, I was posted to Somerset (next county to where I now Live) to learn how to drive. On leaving the army to get married I then moved back to Brighton with my Husband and then to Lingfield to do the film. Normally film extras are only kept on for a few days but Jim Collier was so impressed with the batch of us from Brighton he kept us on till the end of the film nearly 6 weeks. Mr.Ten Boom was a watchmaker played by that wonderful actor Arthur O Connel Betsi was Julie Harris and Corrie Ten Boon herself came to England to meet us all and to thank us for telling their story of how they hid Jews from the Nazis were caught and sent to the camps where Betsi died of Septisemia,I think it was. I learned a few secrets of special effects and enjoyed every minute I was there sometimes not getting home till 3 in the morning. The torture scenes were so realistic I had to pinch myself because sometimes I forgot it was a movie. I could go on and on about it but I wont suffice to say it is, like many true war stories very hard hitting and cuts to the bone. We went to London to see the Premier at Mr. colliers expense and it was wonderful . I also met Sir Cliff Richard (for second time in my life) because he part funded it being a born again Christian. One can now rent the video but at the time shortly after it was released I wrote to Jim Collier at Burbank Studios thanking him for letting me be a small part of his film. It was then that Mrs. Collier wrote back to me saying her Husband had died. I was sad to hear of this but she said her Husband had told her how well we had done and that he would have been proud to have same extras again in any future films had he lived. I still have her letter to this day. Just one more thing. It was WWfilms that did the SFX on The Ten Commandments (a film I have) and I know how they parted the Red Sea. People should go and see this film. Yes it does drag on for the first half hour but oh! my! it soon hits you hard after that.

Yours sincerely

Liz (short for Elizabeth) Mckenzie

Worth Watching

[svader · 6/10 · 25 May 2021]

Great story and well produced considering it was 46 years ago.

Would like to see a remake without the comedic bits and a little more realistic. In particular the concentration camp scenes. They all looked well fed . . . .just a little bit more grit would be good.

An Excellent Film Overlooked By Too Many

[myaamiaki09 · 9/10 · 15 April 2014]

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!

Far superior to the 2023 film

[steiner-sam · 7/10 · 1 September 2023]

It follows the experiences of the Dutch Reformed Ten Boom family in Haarlem, Netherlands, during World War II. This film was the original movie production based on the book by Corrie Ten Boom.

Casper Ten Boom (Arthur O'Connell) and his daughters, Corrie (Jeannette Clift) and Betsie (Julie Harris) have run a multi-generational watch repair shop in Haarlem. They are devout Christians with a robust Reformed theology. After Germany invades the Netherlands in 1940, Casper initially protests by wearing a Jewish star. The family also begins to help Jewish refugees trying to escape German rule. A brother, Willem (Robert Rietti), lives in the countryside, and his family is also deeply involved in the underground resistance. The family hides a wide variety of Jews, some practicing, some secular. They build a hiding place in their home to conceal the Jews in the event of searches by the authorities.

About halfway through the film, the authorities catch the Ten Boom family. Casper, Corrie, and Betsie are imprisoned locally. Here, Corrie builds a relationship with a trustie prisoner, Katje (Eileen Heckart), who, after three years in prison, knows how to game the system. When the Allies threaten to take the Netherlands, Corrie, Betsie, and Katje are transferred to Ravensbrück, a women's concentration camp in Northern Germany. Their lives and the outcomes of their time there shape the film's final section.

"The Hiding Place" is far superior to the 2023 film version based on a stage play. The 1975 film is much more nuanced and realistic, depicting varying perspectives within the Christian church and the Jewish community. Julie Harris's Betsie is much more believable than the 2023 Betsy. O'Connell, Clift, and Heckart give strong performances.

"The Hiding Place" was produced by a division of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. This fact had several negative impacts on the film. First, some concentration camp/prison horrors are underplayed or only hinted at. Secondly, an evangelical Christian message became increasingly heavy-handed towards the film's end. I didn't mind the numerous earlier religious references that underscored the Ten Booms' devout faith. This approach likely narrowed the movie's appeal to a general audience. Still, "The Hiding Place" has a respectable place in this genre of films.

A TRUE Story, Very Well Done

[dukeb0y · 9/10 · 14 January 2006]

This is about hiding JEWS in WWII. Holland is occupied by the Nazis. The TEN-BOOM family, people of Christian faith, hide Jews in their attic, and under the floor too.

The whole family caught and sent to the women's concentration camp,Ravensbruck. One sister, Betsie, is always preaching love, not hate, even when hit by a guard. The other sister, Corrie has a very hard time 'forgiving'.

After Betsie dies in the camp, Corrie sees the light, and forgives too. This also strengthens her the faith, daily, to survive in the camp.

The book is much better, but this film is way above par, with very good production values. Suitable for ages 12 and up.

Not bad. But there are better ones out there.

[HighlanderABC · 6/10 · 23 April 2008]

The movie is touching, even though it is a little bit slow. The main drawback, in my humble opinion, is that it became too religious in many places. It might make sense to very religious viewers. But it's totally nonsense and waste of time to repeat dozens of times that "He will take care of us".

To anyone who wants to know the hellish suffering Jewish people endured during the 2nd World War under Hitler's ethnic cleansing policy, I highly recommend some better movies such as "Schindler's List" and "Life Is Beautiful". Those movies are made in late 1990s, with better plot, technology and directing.

Well, if you have enough free time, this movie is still worth watching.

Moving and poignant movie-making as an art form

[longislandjoe · 10/10 · 22 June 2007]

The Hiding Place is a story of a Christian family that risks life and liberty to help Jews who are becoming increasingly oppressed.

This is movie-making as an art form. The directing, camera work, and script are superb. But in the end the enduring quality of this movie is brought out by the performances. Julie Harris is a legend and puts on a clinic in this picture. Newcomer Ms. Clift never did anything before or since but she did this film with great heart and dignity. Eileen Heckert and Arthur O'Connell are superb. In short, the performances are outstanding. It is film making at its best. This is a moving and important film. Don't miss it.

Beautiful story of true love and forgiveness.

[www.ChuckBrown.com · 24 November 1999]

I caught this movie again on cable over the weekend, 25 years after I first saw it in 1975. It was certainly interesting to view it at such drastically different points in my life. This is the powerful story of the family of Corrie Ten Boom, who died at age 91 in 1983. She and her family (Dutch watchmakers) hid Jews from the Nazis in an attic room over their home/shop during WWII. They were eventually caught and sent to Ravensbruck. But the story of who lives and who doesn't is overshadowed by the powerful lessons of love (both God's love for man and man's love for other men), and by the importance and power of forgiveness. It paints a stiking picture of Christ's concept of turning the other cheek. Julie Harris is great as Corrie sister Betsie, and I can't believe that Jeanette Clift (Corrie) never made another movie. She brought the character to life beautifully. Also stars legendary character actors Arthur O'Connell (his last film) and Eileen Heckart. Corrie Ten Boom herself makes an appearance at the end of the film. Made by World Wide Films (Billy Graham's film production company) with a haunting score by Tedd Smith.

A non-preachy drama of tolerance while facing hatred, and the true meaning of acceptance.

[mark.waltz · 10/10 · 7 March 2010]

"If a mouse lives in a cookie jar, that doesn't make him a cookie!" So says patriarch Arthur O'Connell when asked about the lack of compassion of Dutch pastor Nigel Hawthorne, who refuses to help hide a newborn Jewish baby after the Nazis invade the Netherlands. Immediately, all radios are confiscated and all Jews are ordered to wear yellow stars. Christian O'Connell is so furious that he wears one as well, even though no Jewish blood flows in his veins. He is the aging father of two daughters-the wonderful Julie Harris and a beautiful non-professional actress named Jeanette Clift whom evangelist Billy Graham hired for the key role of Corrie Ten Bloom. A beautiful story over the evils of intolerance, the writers remind us that the God of Abraham and Isaac is our God too.

Hiding Jews puts the family in grave danger, leading them to be arrested and eventually sent to a work camp, where they meet embittered Eileen Heckart, who has worked her way from being a prisoner to passing out food and selling luxuries to the inmates. Clift begins to try and teach Heckart the importance of one's faith. In writing the religious aspect of the script, the film's authors have avoided an overly preachy sentiment that would aggravate viewers not interested in the Christian perspective. What is included is not meant to manipulate non-believers, but open their eyes to the possibility of what can happen when one brings Jesus into their hearts. The Ten Blooms have remained strongly faithful to God in spite of their horrors, and as each tragedy comes forth, they face them with acceptance and dignity, yet not without questioning on occasion as to why. There is great detail put into the hiding of the Jews that the Ten Blooms take in, including drills that time them getting from the dining area into the hiding place. Personal conflicts do arise, through the arrival of a Jewish professor who doesn't fully cooperate with the people who are trying to help him. However, he is not totally unlikable, showing some softness that make his eccentricities more understandable.

All of the performances are excellent, but it is Jeanette Clift who stands out, even among the more well known theatrically trained actors. She brings such depth into the life of this lonely and compassionate woman who gives her heart to everybody she comes in contact with, yet remains brave as she faces possible death. It is impossible not to fall in love with her. I've met people like this in real life, so I do know they exist. Almost absolute perfection in an imperfect world. Earth Mothers, Mother Courage, call them what you will. They exist in every race, every city, every era. The scene where she fantasizes about killing a sadistic female guard shows Corrie from a realistic and not overly saintly light. They could have cast a major name in this part (she reminds me very much of Patricia Neal), but having a non-professional playing the lead is extremely sensible.

Julie Harris is an actress of impeccable stature, and understated in her role of the more fragile sister. She shows her fear through her eyes, and more outright than Clift as the horrors begin to compile around them. In his last film, veteran Arthur O'Connell gives a marvelous performance of the family patriarch. He could have played the character as more of curmudgeon, but instead, adds a gentle understanding yet unsurmountable strength to the quiet dignity underneath. There is of course the disgust he shows for how the world has changed. The scene where the Ten Bloom's house is invaded by Nazis is horrifyingly sad. An outstanding musical score, first heard over the beautifully done credits (filled with old photos of the real Ten Blooms, I suppose, as well as sepia-toned photos of the cast made to look vintage), doesn't overpower, and really adds to the emotional impact of the drama. And for those left in the house after the arrest, the terror is real. So effective, in fact, I felt as if I were there as well.

The always outstanding Eileen Heckart makes her entrance 70 minutes into the film, and is recognizable from the moment she snaps open Clift's metal prison window to pass her food. That sensational voice, so unforgettable and beautifully raspy, is filled with raw realism, yet always sympathetic in spite of her cynicism. She makes her presence most welcome. In the autobiography "Just Ouside the Spotlight: Growing Up with Eileen Heckart" by her son, Luke Yankee, he tells of appearing in a cameo in a great scene that ended up on the cutting room floor. To see two theatrical giants like Julie Harris and Eileen Heckart appearing in a movie together, is a Broadway lover's dream. When Heckart must face repercussion for getting illegal supplies, it is gut-wrenching to watch and hear her scream agonizingly. It's also ironic that when Heckart's prisoner # is shown, it starts with 666, quite an ironic metaphor.

The Holocaust sequences, like in the mini-series "Holocaust", and movies such as "Sophie's Choice" and of course, "Schindler's List", are realistically portrayed. The physical indignities that Clift, Harris, and Heckart face make their acting all the more admirable; This was not easy work. To see them covered in varying stages of soilment, one is in true admiration for their devotion to their craft. Then, as tragedy leads to triumph (quite by accident we learn in the finale), it is doubled by Corrie's faith never shaken. What could very well be a depressing ending is actually quite triumphant because the viewer can face their own despairs with more hope than they ever dreamed of.

Faith & Forgiveness

[malachi456 · 9/10 · 12 October 2014]

Reviews that compare this movie to other Holocaust movies miss the point. This movie was made by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and is primarily a movie about faith and forgiveness, not about the Holocaust.

I have just watched it again nearly 40 years after first seeing it and was even more moved than I was the first time, perhaps because the longer you live the more you realize the importance of forgiveness, not only in obedience to Christ's command, but for one's own peace of mind. Both these aspects of forgiveness are clearly portrayed on screen.

The technical aspects are secondary to the theme but I found the unfolding plot to hold one's interest even though this is quite a long movie (nearly 2 1/2 hours). The acting is nicely understated with the major characters evolving as the plot progresses.

If I were to compare this to another movie I would suggest "The Railway Man" (2013) which also portrays a powerful story of forgiveness of war crimes but without the motivation of religious faith.

Humanity, suffering, love and charity....

[daumas · 8/10 · 15 July 1999]

During the II World War, in Germany, a family creates a place inside their house to hide jew people from the nazis. Until the day their hiding place is discovered....

Powerful true adaptation

[equitube-02035 · 9/10 · 5 October 2015]

I read the book twice but wasn't even aware there was a movie until tonight. It was a very well done adaptation I felt. As with any book to screen, events characters and scenes will be left out and everyone's 'theater of the mind' will have different expectations. There are as many differing stories coming from the war as there are films about them. I've studied holocaust history extensively and can confidently state that this film shows a very accurate portrayal of the events depicted. Several of the above user reviews show a level of disdain about this film especially when compared to other holocaust releases, possibly due to the fact that it is a Christian story. It's important to realize that not only is this film perhaps the most faithful at an accurate adaptation of a true story, but other films are retelling a different story of the era.

A truely, true story.

[iowatex · 9/10 · 30 June 2020]

A true story of faith and a journey through one of the worst eras in human history.

Greater Heart than Schindler's List or the Pianist

[HobbitHole · 21 April 2006]

People are comparing this to Schindler's List and the Pianist? In the 1970s and with a less known director than Speilburg, this film shows and makes you CARE about it's characters.

The target audience was families, while both Schindler's List and the Pianist were rated 'R' meaning kids under 17 aren't even allowed in unless accompanied by a parent (that didn't care how graphic of violence they saw).

I saw this film in the theater as a kid. I couldn't have done so with the other two films even if I had still been one when they were made. I have seen it again as an adult recently and decided to comment, especially after reading the comment about it not stacking up to the above mentioned films....

Unlike Schindler, whom Speilburg made out to be doing it at first for the savings on how much he paid the workers and only much later did he realize he was saving human lives and unlike the Pianist which showed a man who didn't really perceive what Nazi policies would do until it was too late, HIDING PLACE showed that Mr Ten Boom and his daughters DID KNOW and DID CARE about the safety of the Jews.

They took a known risk and all but Corrie suffered the ultimate penalty for choosing to save Jewish lives and for recognizing them as human, not what Hitler said they were.

The film far from sugar coats what the Nazis did. It is plain for every adult to see that the prison camps were abominable. Chain gangs for women, lice, rapes done by soldiers, people brutally injured for helping with medicine, others killed for being too sick to work.

Plus the film had it's only surviving heroine at the end of the film to say a few words. Powerful stuff.

An honest movie about God and suffering

[likejudo · 10/10 · 16 May 2023]

This is a completely true movie. In fact, I read the Wikipedia account of Ravensbruck concentration camp and was surprised to see many of the details in the movie - including the hand-pulled 'road roller'.

This first-person account of a Dutch Christian family who hides hundreds of Jews in an "underground railroad" risking their lives.

Unlike Christian movies today, it is not the usual sugary formulaic stuff with pat answers. In fact it is depressing at first. But watching the interviews with Corrie herself, one gets more context and with it, hope.

What I like so much about the movie was its willingness to ask hard questions - as Corrie says, "but we need not fear them".

In this era of megachurches, televangelists with 7 jet airplanes, praise and worship leader and pastor scandals, it is a must watch for every Christian - no matter what your denomination.

Corrie Ten Boom's house in the Netherlands is a museum and we hope to visit it someday.

A touching Holocaust drama from the imprisoned Christian perspective.

[rscan · 22 January 2001]

Starring Eileen Heckart (First Wives Club), this story of miracles serves to remind us all that many people, of all religions and types, suffered at the hands of the Nazi's in World War Two. Often overlooked as a Holocaust drama, this film should not be missed. I am not a religious person, yet this movie really touched my heart...just like Schindler's List! Critically acclaimed in 1975, this is the only World Wide Pictures release without a cameo by Billy Graham. It is his company's most theatrical movie, and I really loved it.

Great

[magellan333 · 27 April 2001]

This movie starts out very slow and drags along for the first 30 minutes or so, but boy does it turn around in the second half! As a born again Christian, this film really inspires me. It is based on the true story of Corrie Ten Boom and how her family displayed such Godly Christlike qualities during one of the darkest times in recent history. I encourage all believers who have not seen it, to get a copy and watch it, and to read Miss Ten Boom's book "The Hiding Place." As usual, it is much better than the movie.

John 3:16 <><

A movie I wish I could like

[clawpack · 17 November 2004]

The Hiding Place is a movie you want to like because it's the true story of Corrie Ten Boom, whose life exemplified the faith, courage, and willingness to forgive that all Christians are supposed to have. She was a remarkably good woman who never lost hope or trust in God even while suffering terrible injustices in the darkest days of history.

But the movie itself is far too slow and never quite captures the horror of the times. Perhaps I would have liked this movie better if I hadn't seen Schindler's List and The Pianist first. Both of those movies were far more effective at depicting the maddening fear and chaos that Nazi Germany inflicted on its victims.

Everyone should learn more about Ten Boom family and the great sacrifices they had to make in saving others. I just wish this movie was a better way of doing that.

Easily Forgettable

[blu3jay · 23 February 2004]

There are many, far better, prisoner-of-war films. While this movie does have a nice spiritual edge to it, it's nothing compared with the book. The transition to the screen left this beautiful, heartbreaking story with not much of a leg to stand on.

Its pace is slow, its editing is choppy and its characters are flat. The book has many poignant and beautiful messages which help to move the story from one important moment to another; they are almost entirely left out. The book makes you weep for even the most minor characters; the movie has failed to make even the main characters interesting.

My advice: read the book! If you want to watch a similar, but good, WWII POW movie, try The Pianist, Empire of the Sun or even A Town Like Alice (all from very good books). Like The Hiding Place, The Pianist is a true story written by a holocaust survivor. Empire of the Sun and A Town Like Alice are historical fiction and revolve around actual events.