Yentl is a 1983 American film from United Artists, and directed, co-written, co-produced and starring Barbra Streisand based on a play by Leah Napolin and Isaac Bashevis Singer, itself based on Singer's short story "Yentl the Yeshiva Boy". The dramatic story incorporates humor and music to relate the odyssey of a Jewish girl in Poland who decides to dress and live like a man so she can receive an education in Jewish Talmudic Law after her father dies. The film's musical score and songs, composed by Michel Legrand, is memorable for the songs "Papa, Can You Hear Me?" and "The Way He Makes Me Feel", both sung by Streisand.

Plot

Barbra Streisand portrays Yentl Mendel, a girl living in an Ashkenazi Jewish community in Poland. The film is set in an era during which women are forbidden to receive an education in Jewish Talmudic Law, but despite this, Yentl is instructed in the teachings by her Rabbi father, Rebbe Mendel (Nehemiah Persoff).

After the death of her father, Yentl decides to dress like a man, take the name Anshel, and enter a Jewish legal school, or yeshiva. Upon entering the yeshiva, Yentl makes friends with a fellow student, Avigdor (Mandy Patinkin), and meets his fiancee Hadass (Amy Irving). The story is complicated as Hadass' family cancels her wedding to Avigdor due to fears that his family is tainted with insanity, and decides that she should marry Anshel instead. Meanwhile, Hadass develops romantic feelings for Yentl (as Anshel), while Yentl herself is falling in love with Avigdor. After much turmoil, Avigdor and Hadass are reunited, while Yentl leaves Europe to go to America, where she can lead a free life.

Soundtrack

Released on LP in November 1983 and CD on October 25, 1990. Produced by Barbra Streisand and Alan & Marilyn Bergman. Arranged and conducted by Michel Legrand. Music by Michel Legrand. Lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Bergman.

1. Where Is It Written? [4:52]
2. Papa, Can You Hear Me? [3.29]
3. This Is One Of Those Moments [4:07]
4. No Wonder [2:30]
5. The Way He Makes Me Feel [3:44]
6. No Wonder (Part Two) [3:19]
7. Tomorrow Night [4:43]
8. Will Someone Ever Look At Me That Way? [3:03]
9. No Matter What Happens [4:03]
10. No Wonder (Reprise) [1:05]
11. A Piece Of Sky [4:19]
12. The Way He Makes Me Feel (Studio Version) [4:09]
13. No Matter What Happens (Studio Version) [3:18]

Home media

Yentl was released on home Video in August 1984 on CBS/FOX home video. It was released on DVD by MGM Entertainment on February 3, 2009 as a two-disc "Director's Cut" in the widescreen format. A blu-ray edition has yet to be announced.

Disc 1: Theatrical Cut - Director's Extended Cut with added scenes from Barbra's Archives - An Introduction by Barbra Streisand - Commentary with Barbra Streisand and Rusty Lemorande - Deleted Scenes

Disc 2: Special Features - An Introduction by Barbra Streisand - The Director's Reel - The Rehearsal Process - An Introduction by Barbra Streisand: “Where is it Written?“ - Original Rehearsal Concept: “Where is it Written?“ - Rehearsal/Feature Comparison: “No Wonder - Reprise“ - Pre-Rehearsal/Feature Comparison: “Tomorrow Night“ - Pre-Rehearsal Concept: “Tomorrow Night“ - Pre-Rehearsal/Feature Comparison: “Will Someone Ever Look at Me That Way?“ - Rehearsal/Feature Comparison: “The Moon and I“ - Deleted Song Storyboard Sequence: “Several Sins a Day“ - Barbra's 8mm Concept Film - My Wonderful Cast and Crew - Production Stills Gallery - Portraits Stills Gallery - Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery - The Recording Studio Stills Gallery

Awards

Yentl won an Academy Award in 1984 for Best Original Score and Its Adaptation or Best Adaptation Score, the award going to Michel Legrand (music), Alan Bergman (lyrics), and Marilyn Bergman (lyrics). Amy Irving was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, and the film was also nominated for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration (Roy Walker, Leslie Tomkins, Tessa Davies).

Barbra Streisand received a Golden Globe for Best Director for the film, and Yentl was nominated for four other Golden Globes.

Amy Irving was also nominated for the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress, making her one of two actors to be nominated for an Oscar and a Razzie for the same performance (James Coco being the other for Only When I Laugh). The film also earned Razzie nominations for Barbra Streisand as Worst Actor (due to Yentl appearing as a man throughout the film) and for Worst Musical Score.

Locations

The film was shot on location in Prague, New York City, and Liverpool.

See also

• Yentl (the play)
• Isaac Bashevis Singer

References

External links