Is A Small Light Based on a True Story? Ending Explained Here
by Rubaditsha
Updated May 03, 2023
Is A Small Light Based on a True Story?
A Small Light is a miniseries that tells the true story of Miep Gies, a woman who put her own life at risk during World War II to protect others from the Nazis. Gies was approached by Otto Frank, her boss, to hide his family, including Anne Frank and her parents, after they lost their chance to escape the Nazi-occupied Netherlands. Gies, who is played by Bel Powley, eventually found and preserved Anne's diaries, which became the bestselling book The Diary of Anne Frank.
In an interview with Deadline, Powley emphasized the importance of getting the story right to allow people to connect and relate to the history. She also highlighted Gies's reluctance to be called a hero and to be put on a pedestal, instead preferring to encourage others to make a difference in their own way. Gies's famous quote, "anyone, a housewife or a teenager, can turn on a small light in a dark room," serves as the inspiration for the title of the miniseries.
The show not only tells the story of Gies's heroic acts but also explores her relationship with her husband, Jan Gies, and how their work impacted their marriage. Overall, A Small Light is a powerful and important retelling of an inspiring story of bravery and selflessness in the face of one of the darkest times in history.
A Small Light Ending Explained
"A Small Light" is a miniseries from National Geographic that tells the story of Miep Gies, one of the people who helped hide Anne Frank and her family from the Nazis for more than two years. The series focuses on Miep's courage and the risks she took to hold onto her humanity in the face of extreme adversity.
The series is essentially a coming-of-age story for Miep, who starts out as a twentysomething layabout with few prospects but eventually grows into a self-actualized adult through the life-or-death circumstances she faces. Her journey is one of wit, effervescence, and practicality, all of which she uses to outsmart the Nazis and keep the Franks safe.
The series also follows the story of Jan, Miep's boyfriend, who joins the Dutch resistance after his efforts to sneak ration cards to the Franks get him noticed. He, too, sees the other ways in which his countrymen resist the Nazis, and the sacrifices they make to do so.
The clear highlight of the cast is Liev Schreiber, who plays Otto Frank, Anne's father. Otto is the pillar upon which the show truly rests, and Schreiber delivers a turn of noble resolve and determination that spurs Miep to demonstrate some of her own bravery. Their scenes together are some of the show's best.
Although the series makes some time for Anne Frank herself, her perspective is kept squarely in the margins. It's Miep and her untold reserves of bravery that the show keeps its spotlight firmly on.
Ultimately, "A Small Light" is a heartwarming, humanistic story about the little bits of happiness that can be scrounged from the darkness. Even though audiences know how the story of Anne Frank will end, the show invites viewers to share in the Franks' feeble hopes that maybe, just maybe, they'll make it. And even if they don't, their story will survive as one of lives lived, rather than one of misery and turmoil.
Cast of A Small Light
Bel Powley
Miep Gies
Liev Schreiber
Otto Frank
Joe Cole
Jan Gies
Amira Casar
Edith Frank
Billie Boullet
Anne Frank
Ashley Brooke
Margot Frank
Daniel Donskoy
Karl Josef Silberbauer
Cast
Role
A Small Light Plot Summary
"A Small Light" is a miniseries that offers a new perspective on the Anne Frank story by focusing on one of the brave souls who helped hide the Frank family from the Nazis for over two years. The miniseries primarily revolves around Miep Gies (played by Bel Powley), Otto Frank's friend and secretary, who, along with a few other employees and friends, smuggled the Franks to the annex above Otto's Amsterdam offices one at a time.
The miniseries begins by introducing Miep as an ordinary girl in her twenties trying to grow up in difficult circumstances. She has few prospects, no job, and no husband. However, she meets a sensitive boy named Jan (played by Joe Cole) and uses her considerable charm and stubbornness to land a job working for Otto Frank at his company. But as Nazi advancement turns into stark reality, Miep finds herself smuggling the Franks to the annex.
Over the course of the series, Miep's journey towards self-actualization and growth as a selfless person is explored. Her witty effervescence tinged with cynical practicality defuses even the most harrowing scenarios with welcome wit. The series is a delicate tonal tightrope walk, which avoids the funereal pitfalls of a lot of Holocaust stories without turning it into the twee nonsense of "JoJo Rabbit."
Apart from Miep, the miniseries also follows Jan's efforts to sneak ration cards to the Franks, which end up getting him recruited to the Dutch resistance. The show explores the other ways, both direct and indirect, his countrymen resist the Nazis and the little sacrifices they must all make along the way.
Otto Frank (played by Liev Schreiber), whose character serves as the pillar upon which the show truly rests, is a quiet man whose bravery spurs Miep to demonstrate some of her own. Their scenes together, often the quietest in the show, are some of the best. Schreiber's turn of noble resolve and determination is a stellar showcase for his qualities.
Although the show makes time for little Anne Frank (played by Billie Boulet), her perspective remains in the margins. The miniseries keeps its spotlight firmly on Miep and her untold reserves of bravery.
In conclusion, "A Small Light" is a heartwarming, humanistic portrayal of resistance and courage in the face of unimaginable horror. The show highlights the risks everyday people take just to hold onto their humanity, and how even ordinary people can turn on a small light in a dark room.
A Small Light Review
"A Small Light" is a poignant and heartwarming short story that touches on themes of family, loss, and love. The story is well-crafted, with vivid and evocative descriptions that bring the characters and setting to life.
The protagonist, Emily, is a young girl struggling to come to terms with her mother's death. Her relationship with her father is strained, as he is distant and consumed by grief. However, Emily finds solace and comfort in a small light that appears outside her window each night.
The light is a symbol of hope and love, and Emily's attachment to it is a poignant reminder of the importance of finding moments of joy and beauty in the midst of pain and sorrow. The story is beautifully written, with a gentle and reflective tone that perfectly captures the emotions of the characters.
Overall, "A Small Light" is a touching and powerful story that will resonate with anyone who has experienced loss or struggled to find hope in difficult times. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to bring light into even the darkest of moments.
Is A Small Light Based On A True Story: FAQs
"A Small Light" is a 2022 biographical drama film based on the life of Miep Gies, the woman who helped hide Anne Frank and her family during the Holocaust.
Miep Gies was a Dutch citizen who helped hide Anne Frank, her family, and four other Jews during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands in World War II. She worked as a secretary for Anne's father, Otto Frank, and was one of the people responsible for preserving Anne's diary after the family was discovered and arrested by the Nazis.
Miep Gies played a crucial role in the story of Anne Frank by providing food, clothing, and other necessities for the Frank family and the other Jews in hiding. She also helped to keep their spirits up by bringing them books and news from the outside world. After the family was discovered and arrested, she retrieved Anne's diary from the secret annex and kept it safe until Otto Frank returned from Auschwitz.
Karl Josef Silberbauer was an SS officer who played a key role in the arrest of Anne Frank and her family. He was the one who discovered the secret annex where they were hiding and led the raid that resulted in their capture. In "A Small Light", Daniel Donskoy portrays Silberbauer.