It is a feature film by Madhouse, was directed by Akinori Nagaoka and released on August 19, 1995.

Nagaoka's film features new character designs by Katsuyuki Kubo and features a score composed by Michael Nyman, including two songs, "If" (which incorporates "Time Lapse" from A Zed & Two Noughts) and "Why," which have become concert works.

"Candlefire" as well as piano-only versions of "If" and Why" appear on Nyman's 2005 release, The Piano Sings.

[4] The French and English language versions replaced the Michael Nyman score with a new one by Carine H.D.

Anime News Network's Justin Sevakis said that "even a story as powerful as Anne Frank's cannot overcome truly odious filmmaking and weird directorial choices that just don't work" and that he couldn't "think of a worse way to experience the story than watching this film".