Is 'A Small Light' on National Geographic historically accurate?

'A Small Light' unfolds during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam and comes with an interesting perspective to an oft-told story
PUBLISHED MAY 1, 2023
Bel Powley plays Miep Gies in 'A Small Light' (IMDb, YouTube/Disney+)
Bel Powley plays Miep Gies in 'A Small Light' (IMDb, YouTube/Disney+)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Courage is a big word. It sums up many historical events that wouldn't have happened if not for that little speck of emotion. One of the many stories about courage is the story of Anne Frank. Her story is as inspiring as her diary and offers many lessons to this era as well.

The upcoming drama 'A Small Light' by National Geographic is set during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam and deals with the inspiring story of Anne Frank and her family.  

ALSO READ

'A Small Light': Release date and where to watch mini-series

‘Secrets of the Elephants’: Release date and how to watch TV mini series

Us vs them

National Geographic’s chilling biographical drama 'A Small Light' isn't about non-thinkers or people who didn't care about humanity. Even in the midst of the Holocaust, there were still some who believed in kindness and looked for ways to help those being targeted, to shine a small light in the darkest of nights. 'A Small Light' is a metaphor for hope, for all those times when people sat in the darkness and counted their last days, until that small ray of light arrived. What makes 'A Small Light' different is that it assumes a different perspective, one that isn't centered around the Franks. The series focuses on a woman and a network of everyday saviors who are only found in the footnotes of history, if not entirely forgotten.

Is 'A Small Light' historically accurate?

Although the series' foundation is the story of Anne Frank, it does occasionally stray from known historical facts. The series fictionalizes the characters from Otto Frank’s Opekta business and takes away the attention from a key character that helped Otto Frank's family go into hiding. Bep Voskuijl was the one who helped Anne and her family, but her story has been sidelined in the series. Instead, the tale of Miep Gies, who also helped Otto's family, gets more focus. Bep was the key character, but both Bep and Miep were the definition of courage and risked it all to do the right thing. 

'A Small Light' will be available to watch exclusively on National Geographic channel.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

The series, a sequel to 'Young Sheldon' has officially been renewed for season 3
23 hours ago
Fortnite released its first teaser ahead of the confirmed and official collaboration with the hit series
1 day ago
Kayce Dutton’s quiet ending doesn’t last as loss, danger, and unfinished business pull him back into Montana’s darkest corners.
1 day ago
A fan-favorite makes a surprise return to Grey Sloan, pulling Amelia back into the action as medical tensions rise fast.
1 day ago
Created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Don Heck, the eight-episode series is scheduled to premiere on Tuesday, January 27.
2 days ago
'Finding Her Edge' Season 1 ends on a cliffhanger, with fans awaiting a second season, and here's everything we know about it.
2 days ago
Hunter Doohan teases an earlier production start for ‘Wednesday’ Season 3, hinting the Netflix hit could return sooner than expected
2 days ago
Based on the 1989 show, 'Matlock' follows the sharp and seasoned lawyer Madeline Matlock, who joins a law firm with a secret motive
2 days ago
Following the midseason finale cliffhanger, 'Tracker' Season 3 is all set to make a comeback on March 1
2 days ago
At the time of writing, there is no official confirmation on 'Steal' Season 2 from Prime Video
3 days ago