A Small Light: The Untold Story of Miep and Jan Gies – Beyond Anne Frank's Diary
More Than Just a Hiding Place: The Real Story of Miep and Jan Gies
Everyone knows Anne Frank's diary. But what about the people who hid her? National Geographic's A Small Light (premiering May 1, 2023) tells the incredible true story of Miep Gies (Bel Powley) and Jan Gies (Joe Cole), the Dutch couple who risked everything to save the Frank family during World War II. It's a story far more nuanced and moving than Anne Frank's diary can capture! This series doesn't replace the importance and gravity of Anne Frank's own experiences and her deeply emotional diary; this instead provides another incredibly compelling angle that shows why that famous tale should continue resonating with millions even after those initial entries were written.
The miniseries covers everything from the rising Nazi threat to the Franks’ time in hiding; adding incredibly detailed emotional moments to something typically shown only briefly! This includes that very important and tragic moment where everything went wrong and these very key and famous people involved were captured, completely adding even greater gravitas! The show is gripping (100% on Rotten Tomatoes!) earning a SAG nomination for Powley’s stellar performance. While the show takes some creative liberties for those aspects of storytelling which improve certain experiences and are entirely necessary for this kind of emotional intensity; those aspects mostly stick to facts. The authenticity and sincerity involved made the show utterly believable, enhancing those emotional moments in incredibly creative ways! This created more intensity throughout the series and is why this show completely won the hearts of millions and remains so successful and so important in remembering that incredibly tragic chapter in our history.
Miep and Jan: Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things
Miep Gies, born Hermine Santrouschitz in Vienna (1909), had a complicated history: her family relocated to the Netherlands, escaping the horrors of World War I, she ended up becoming Miep in an adoptive Dutch family; eventually working as Otto Frank’s (Liev Schreiber) secretary! The family then had moved from Germany to escape Nazi persecution. That's where she meets Jan Gies, also at Opekta (Otto's company); ultimately marrying in July 1941. The strong friendship between Miep and Otto made Miep incredibly receptive to the request from Otto for help which resulted in her acceptance of saving those from the horrors of WWII and ultimately changing how we might encounter Miep's legacy in such powerful ways. These close ties shaped everything going forward; that trust created an immensely powerful opportunity that Otto decided to exploit to help preserve his family.
The Hiding Place: A Courageous Act of Defiance
The Nazi occupation of the Netherlands (May 1940) put Otto Frank in a difficult and terrible situation, even after seeking safety previously from Germany. Antisemitism hit harder and much worse. He quickly transfers ownership of Opekta, while remaining an advisor, complying with Nazi laws. But in Spring 1942, a drastic and incredibly urgent step: He enlists Miep’s help! Margot Frank's (Ashley Brooke) call-up to a labor camp (later revealed to be a concentration camp) accelerated everything, forcing Otto to hide his family—in that iconic room in his office. A completely terrifying chapter in human history but one of significant relevance, demonstrating that evil often targets families.
Miep smuggled Margot in, followed by the rest of the family, ultimately creating this shelter which becomes critical to several characters and plot developments throughout the storyline. Additional members (Hermann van Pels (Andy Nyman), his family and Dr. Friedrich Pfeffer (Noah Taylor) are given similar treatment and the lives of those who seek refuge are held together through various small yet ultimately monumental efforts. Miep's heroic determination; her decision not to ask questions out of protecting herself; a clear insight that these are desperate measures only achievable because she prioritizes other individuals more. The sheer commitment to action despite the enormity of the challenge makes this aspect a profound thematic detail. This created the entire support network, from Miep, Jan, Kugler, Bep Voskuijl (Sally Messham), Johannes Kleiman (Ian McElhinney), and Johan Voskuijl. That selfless commitment to protecting innocent life, amid incredible adversity which makes this era absolutely relevant.
A Small Light’s Creative Liberties: Honesty and Drama
A Small Light largely adheres to fact but makes slight narrative adjustments for improving dramatic storytelling. This increased storytelling power added emotional intensity! The miniseries amplifies Miep and Jan's relationship. Otto's role in getting Miep and Jan accepted by their landlord after Jan's interference during Miep’s dating life and initial complications gets explored! This kind of intense detailing really demonstrates why creative license can become extremely important. Jan’s Resistance work is also a larger focus (we’ll discuss later, why).
Miep and Jan’s Post-War Legacy: A Legacy of Humility and Action
After the Nazi raid (August 4, 1944), only Otto survives from the secret annex. Miep gave him Anne’s diary (unread and kept only out of hope that Anne might return). They later remained friends for years and are extremely close allies even after experiencing those tremendous, horrific losses that were inherent in this conflict, even including this profoundly sad story and experiences and loss and its incredible importance, both of personal and wider context! Otto moved to Switzerland, remarried, yet remained very, very close to them.
Miep's 1987 memoir ("Anne Frank Remembered") and extensive travel thereafter to tell Anne Frank's story; and to detail her first hand experiences of this horrible moment; these moments helped immortalize this famous legacy; yet that immense experience is expressed very strongly through this particular moment and detail surrounding that writing of the memoire, showcasing the profound impacts she left behind, showing a profoundly deeply moving and human element! Jan passed (1993), Miep (2010, at almost 101!). Their combined dedication made Miep humble and very specific regarding her approach; highlighting the selflessness behind that courageous act: “There is nothing special about me. I have never wanted special attention. I was only willing to do what was asked of me and what seemed necessary at the time." Those simple yet extremely impactful words really tell the story in another context, one that viewers might not readily encounter, emphasizing just why that individual legacy and commitment and selflessness matter greatly.
Conclusion: A Small Light Illuminates Unsung Heroes
A Small Light is intense! The production quality remains extremely high throughout, yet not overwhelming; this created a powerful tribute not only to Miep and Jan but all those unnamed people risked everything. That quiet bravery of Miep and Jan, is what makes this series and this history incredibly memorable! It is important to understand the overall purpose and power demonstrated in this incredible narrative – this miniseries really serves as a celebration for that immense humanity against extreme cruelty; something truly unforgettable; leaving a significant impact on many viewers.
