Customer Reviews

The Hiding Place [VHS]

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is the true story of the heroic Ten Boom family who, during the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands. asked themselves the question, "If not us...who; if not now...when?" They answered it, and ultimately their response cost most of them their lives. This is their story, as told from the perspective of the sole survivor, Corrie Ten Boom.

The Ten Booms were devoutly Christian and lived a simple life, working in their watch shop that had been in their family for over a hundred years. When the Nazis occupied Holland, they were appalled by the treatment of their fellow Jewish citizens at the hands of the Nazis. Initially, the seventy year old patriarch of the family, played to perfection by Arthur O'Connell, took to wearing a Jewish star himself in sympathy with their oppressed Jewish friends.

As time went on, members of this heroic family began working with an underground, partisan group. When it became clear that Jews were being targeted for death and deportation, however, the family also began to hide terrified Jews in their home, after constructing a false wall in one of their bedrooms, thereby creating a secret room.

Eventually denounced by someone to the Nazis, they are arrested in their home which is then torn apart by the Gestapo, in their search for the Jews they believe to be hiding there. At the time of their arrest, the Ten Boom home was filled to capacity with Jews in hiding. So well concealed was the hidden room that had been created by the erection of the false wall, that these poor, terrified Jews managed to escape detection.

The five Ten Booms, however, did not fare so well and were sent to the notorious Ravensbruck death camp, where Corrie and her sister, Betsie, managed to stay together. It is here that they learn the true depths of man's inhumanity to man, and Corrie's Christian faith is sorely tested.

Betsie, affectingly played by the superb Julie Harris, does not survive the rigors and deprivations of Ravensbruck and dies. Within two weeks of her beloved sister's death, Corrie is miraculously released from Ravensbruck. It is years later that she learns that her release was a result of clerical error and that shortly after her release, middle-aged women, such as she, were systemically being put to death.

Corrie was the only member of the Ten Boom family to survive the concentration camp experience. She told their story in a book upon which the movie is based. At the end of the film, the real Corrie Ten Boom, in her eighties at the time of the filming, appears and, in a profoundly moving way, tells why she told the story of her family. She is a stark reminder of the innate goodness to be found in humanity and is a strong counterpoint to the cruelty of the Nazi regime.

I first saw this movie when it was first released in the mid nineteen seventies. It was as moving then, as it is now, twenty five years later. The themes which it touches upon are timeless. This superbly made film with its haunting musical score is peppered with award caliber performances. It is simply a great movie...Bravo!

Running "The Hiding Place" through a video player can unlock the door to a place of safety-- a reverent, joyful chamber of promise.

This cannot be a piece of fiction, for in its unlikely construction we see and hear Truth manifesting itself (Himself) through the story of two precious "old maids" of the Netherlands and their watchmaker father. We might, upon a casual viewing, consider this family brave, heroic, self-sacrificing in their efforts to conceal Jews during the World War II Nazi occupation of Holland. But having lived with this story since I was 13 when I heard Corrie ten Boom speak in my church, and having read the book and played the video countless times as an adult, I have come to see that the ten Boom family was neither brave or heroic, but rather "occupied" themselves with a glorious intruder.

He came and transformed their "war efforts" and the resulting torture they endured in concentration camps into an astounding (but Biblically typical)"context" for communion with Himself. Corrie and Betsie and their earthly father would be the first to say that the Lord Jesus Christ is the hero of their incredible passage through hell. And perhaps most amazing of all, they would enthusiastically express that He translated this dark journey into a profoundly beautiful experience saturated with the light, joy, safety and power of His presence.

But this was all a secret. Not everyone saw it at the time it was happening, the movie may hide it as well. My prayer would be that as this story unfolds on film, He will unlock the door of this mystery to every viewer.

Interestingly, when this movie was being made in the mid 1970's, the real Corrie ten Boom was on the set during the entire filming process -- or rather she was close at hand. Many days she would lock herself in a hotel room and pray... pray that He would open the door to Himself through the film. This time alone in prayer was not a burden, nor was she pleading, petitioning a distant, indifferent source of power for a personal favor. She was simply spending time with her Friend and her God in His hiding place, asking Him to bring glory to Himself through this special story He began orchestrating through her life during in the 1940's... and is continuing to unfold...

In short, this film in infused with stuff bigger than itself. It is worthy of many viewings. The performances (a transcendent Julie Harris, a vulnerable, annointed Jeannette Clift), the haunting, beautiful musical score, the straightforward direction and its reverent tone towards Christ(something very rare in cinema), all contribute to a "Portrait" of Truth and Promise. This isn't film making -- it's key turning and finger pointing. Peek inside and see. He is beautiful.

"And I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden wealth of secret places, In order that you may know that it is I, The Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name." Isaiah 45:3

Based on a true story, this movie portrays the courage and faith of a Dutch family as they risk their lives hiding Jews during WWII, thus obeying a higher law out of love towards God and His Chosen People. This a faithful rendition of Corrie Ten Boom's book by the same title, one of the best videos I have ever seen. Even after watching it many times, it still moves me to the point of tears!

Draggy and predictable? Mr. Maltin? Not at all! A real-life story of Christians and Jews being persecuted and put into concentration camps and killed is not draggy and predictable! The Bible is not draggy and predictable and this story is right as if it is out of the pages of the Bible. Praying that this never happens again to anyone! But knowing that according to the Book of Revelation it will. Great performances by the way! Just an "as if you were there," true to life, inspirational picture. With an appearance by the one who lived it, Corie ten Boom. I don't recommend it for younger children though because it's a bit frightening and a couple of scenes are brutal. It has many lessons for us all. See it!

First things first, Corrie Ten Boom was an amazing woman. The story is about her family and herself as they go throught times in WWII. They end up hiding jews away from the nazis. The nazis find out and they take the family to camp. The story inside the camp keeps you watching, and morning for the people who really went through the experiences of the camps. Very touching, great Christian Example. The last thing, God is the "Hiding Place". BUY THIS!

That's all the Ten Boom family needs to survive the war that is raging through Europe. I couldn't believe how accurately done the Hiding Place was done based over Corrie Ten Boom's famous book. I've read the book which is an amazing book. I'm not sure how I could possibly choose between the two because both are so good. Both symbolize christianism in the best ways, one through the thoughts of Corrie, and the other through her actions. In all that she went through losing all her family except her nephew, Peter, she still found the love to find Christ through it all, as all of us will someday.

When the Nazi's ruled by Adolf Hitler takes over the Netherlands, things are even worse then they seem at first. Queen Wilhelmina runs away to England, Jews are only allowed out at certain times, and in certain places, and things do not look good for Jewish businesses. Casper Ten Boom (Aurthur O' Connell), his daughters, his son, and his Grandson, of Haarlem, Holland, don't want to just sit around and do nothing, so they take action. In hopes he'll make a difference, Casper Ten Boom wears a yellow star in spite of his Christian faith. Corrie and Betsie (Jeannette Clift, and Julie Harris) help several people by dressing them up as women, and taking them to the country, and Kik and Peter (their nephews) even help to build a make shift hiding place for Jewish people in hiding for an underground. As these many things will help save several Jewish people, the Ten Boom family, assumed to be hiding Jews, but never proved, is sent off to Ravensbruck. Corrie and Betsie must keep up their faith in God in this prison, or lose everything in the hopes of surviving.

The acting in the movie was impeccable. As the one and only movie Jeannette Clift ever did, she was amazing. She preferred acting on the stage more, but in one role, you can touch so many and in her amazing first time acting, and she acted (no pun intended) as if it were her first. Julie Harris from many films such as the original Haunting comes back to many who may find her familiar. She just a little bit older.

In the aspect of showing the Christian and Jewish religions together, it shows how many people can act around us as if they are, and turn into the demons of satan in the process. It brings to light the fact that nowadays as things get even worse, and we live in more fear, no telling who is telling the truth and who is lying. To think they thought Hitler was the antichrist back then. It would've been believable had he gotten everyone under his wing. But he didn't and thank God.

The whole movie makes you want to think it was just a movie, but it wasn't, it all happened. It shows you just how much people will do for others, and to put their own life on the line to do it. The Ten Booms family story is only one of the many stories out there, but one of the many that has inspired so many to give their lives to Christ, and help many others in need. 5 stars for perfect everything.

This is sad, because it is about sad events, but the outcome of it is glorious and a triumph, and the characters stay with you because they are real characters, it is a true story. This is the story of Corie ten Boom and her family and how they love the Lord and hide Jews in their home and go to a concentration camp because of it. All die there except for Corie who, until fairly recently, went all over the world telling her story and helping people to see their need for the One who loves us and sees us through even such horrendous circumstances, Jesus Christ. Well acted! Real and honest. And a learning experience as well as a great film to see. I call it my most favorite film of all time. I've read all about Corie ten Boom and I've read most of her books and I just love her and her story. I think that Julie Harris should have received an Oscar. Really great portrayal. I wish that I could tell her so. Gather the family around for "sunday school," one evening, but not the real little ones, it might be too brutal for them.

Let me start off by saying that this movie is definitely one that is worth owning. If for nothing more, it is particularly accurate in its faithfulness to the ten Boom story, its filming on actual locations, and its particularness in casting. Also, it contains actual pictures of Corrie ten Boom and her family, and she actually appears at the end of the movie. Thus, if you are enamored with the story and history of "The Hiding Place," you will be well-served to purchase this film for your library.

However, I do wish that Hollywood would redo this one. "The Hiding Place" is a much better story than the stories depicted in either "Schindler's List" or "The Pianist," but the acting, filming, and overall scale of this movie is so much inferior to any of the epic World War II movies that it just doesn't do the story justice. So, buy this video, but read the book so that you get the entire touching story, and hope that some good soul in Hollywood remembers this tale of courage and has the guts to make it into a truly great film.

THE TEN BOOMS WERE EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE. THEY RISKED THEIR LIVES FOR GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE, YET THEY TOO WERE 'THE CHOSEN FEW.' WHAT THIS FAMILY DID WAS BEYOND BRAVE. THIS SELFLESS ACT WAS BASED ON OBEDIENCE TO GOD AND HIS WORD. THE FACT THAT THIS FAMILY WAS HARBORING JEWS DURING HITLER'S REIGN SHOWS GREAT FAITH, HUMAN ENDURANCE AND PROOF, THAT LIFE, DESPITE MAN'S INHUMANITY TO MAN, IS STILL A PRECIOUS GIFT AND WORTH RISKS. THE ACTORS PORTRAYING THIS FAMILY DID AN EXCELLENT JOB. JULIE HARRIS, AS USUAL, WAS THE CONSUMATE ACTRESS. SHE'S A MASTER IN HER FIELD.

OK, the disc isn't coming out until January--missing a sure market at Christmas time--and so I cannot talk about disc quality, BUT, even if it was a grainy, botched-up disc, the story makes up for any problems that may come with this title. This is a true story of Corrie Ten Boom and her family's journey to hell after trying to keep a small number of Jews during WWII and how her faith kept her both alive and from harm--even when terribly tested. World Wide Pictures spared no expense on this one and the money spent shows. The picture spares no punches--there is violence, blood, and all the horrors of the camps. The message is clear and the acting is top-notch. There is even a scene with Corrie telling the end of the story. If you are a believer, this is a film to get.