The Hiding Place

source: The Hiding Place

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 <><

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.

I wanted so much to like the movie. It has never played on TV because of it's pro-Christian message (had it played, I could have edited out a very bad scene -see below). Basically, it is a true story of Christians who hide Jews. What made this a powerful movie is that the Christians here are two middle-aged sisters, both condemned to a concentration camp. But, after 40 years, the only scene I clearly recall is when a German soldier rapes a female prisoner, both standing, covered up by his long winter wool coat, but the back and forth motion is vividly visible. Why this scene? The makers were told they had to make their movie PG, in order to sell, per an article that I also recall reading back then. Had the rape scene been omitted, I would have given this a 10/10, but as is, I cannot recommend it.

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.