Yentl [DVD] [1983]

I watched it on release in the cinema, brought the soundtrack on LP, video and now DVD. I ordered on Monday 10th July, it was delivered on Thursday 13th July, watched it the same evening and wrote the review after watching the movie, which was a first for me. Barbara Streisand did an amazing job as Director, Producer, Writer, Singer and leading actor, the photography, soundtrack, production, acting and direction all very good. Barbara Streisand plays a Jewish girl who dresses as a boy to receive a religion education in Eastern Europe during 1904, all you need is a good imagination and an interest in the story. It’s quite amusing when she agrees to marry her best friend’s wife to be, as her husband; so much feeling and emotion when the man friend finds out she is a woman. It certainly deserved better reviews than I’ve read in film books; I’ve watched 5-star movies that are 10 times worse, which I’ve turned off after 20 minutes from boredom and despair. I hadn’t seen this film for many years, and for some reason I thought Streisand’s character ended up with Patinkin’s character at the end, but I was so wrong. At the end we see a close-up of Barbara singing “A Piece of Sky” on board ship, as the camera then pulls back as Barbara and the ship fade in to the distance. I’d like to be able to buy a special edition with a “Making Of” documentary with Barbara Streisand, Mandy Patinkin, Amy Irving and Nehemiah Persoff and the other professionals involved in the film.

Great movie..

I watched this film in a cinema 35 years ago. Magical is the word. One of the sweetest film ever made: charming, moving, it's a truly delicate fable with both a poignant love story and a strong message at its core: follow your dreams, nothing is impossible! Beautifully photographed by British cinematographer David Watkin and directed by Barbra herself (also producing), the actors are all amazing especially Barbra who truly shines looking so beautiful both as a woman and disguised as man. Her skin is flawless and her bright blue eyes so clear, one can see through her beautiful sweet natured soul both as the actor and the remarkable lady she is in real life. Watching the bonus disc it is very interesting to get behind the scenes through the archival 8mm films from Barbra's private collection and learn about the incredible amount of difficulties (and years of truly dedicated hard work) she went through trying to bring the project to light. Handsome Mandy Patinkin and Amy Irving (looking so pretty and innocent) are also amazing in their roles and together with Barbra they all have perfect chemistry. The late Michel Legrand's music and Marilyn and Alan Bergman's lyrics are just perfect (conveying Yentl's inner feelings throughout the film). It's probably one of the finest film soundtracks ever made with Barbra's voice sounding so clear and vivid. Oh and that epic triumphant final scene beautifully filmed on a boat and of course THAT legendary 20 seconds note Streisand hits singing 'A piece of sky'...watch this film, they don't make them like this anymore!

There is a series of in-jokes about Streisand in the film "In and Out" with Kevin Kline. He's a big fan and in that movie he has an argument with his friends about whether Barbra was too old to play Yentl. And she was of course too old, but she does look good as a boy, nevertheless. Ironically enough she is more convincing as a girl dressed as a boy, than as a girl! I came to this movie from the soundtrack! I'm not a lover of musicals, which for a gay man is apparently saying something. So `Yentl' appears on my bending DVD shelves as the sole musical, apart from `Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'. (And that's a childhood thing.) If you don't know the story of `Yentl', then, well the outline is quite simple and can be found elsewhere on this page. The whole movie is well-acted, especially the relationships with Avigdor and Hadass, but it's a ludicrous story, really (like most musicals?), and the drama of Streisand's eventual revelation is a little forced. But there are some good comic moments, and there is much praiseworthy attention to period detail. Oh, and the music's good, too! Classic Streisand. Alas, there are no extras on the DVD, which is a bit mean.

Ah, the memories! I was probably the youngest movie goer at the cinema when I watched Yentl back in the day. The plot has been eloquently summarised by previous reviewers, so I won't repeat what they wrote. Yentl is an engaging, moving film. I'm not Jewish, but I was enthralled by the story. The music is hauntingly beautiful - especially Yentl's lament via "Papa Can You Hear Me". I had this song stuck in my head for the longest time. Yentl received a mixed reception from the critics when it was released. I guess it's not everyone's cup of tea. The only thing I'm not happy about is the fact that this DVD is in mono. It should have been remastered in 5.1 surround for today's discerning home movie fans. I feel shortchanged in this regard. However, this is worth getting this DVD for Ms Streisand's stunning performance. The supporting performances were superb, too. Bravo!

A good film..

Excellent movie. Last saw it many years ago, still a great movie.

どう見ても女性にしか見えないバーブラ・ストライサンドが 無理やり男装して撮った作品、という文言をどこかで目にして面白く感じ、 ずっと以前に、テレビで放映されていたものを見ました。 ミシェル・ルグラン作曲の美しい旋律が脳裏に残っていて、また聞きたく なりましたが、残念ながら日本語字幕版DVDがないとわかりました。 日本語字幕版VHS を購入したものの、旧テレビサイズでしたので フルサイズで見たくなり、こちらのDVDの購入となりました。 リージョンフリーのプレーヤーでないと再生出来ませんでした。 バーブラ・ストライサンドさんの圧倒的な歌唱力もさることながら、 エイミー・アーヴィングさんのやわらかな雰囲気が好きでしたね。 バーブラさんの来日公演が一度もなかったことを知り、驚いています。 追憶があれ程日本でヒットしたのに意外でした。 その追憶も、この作品の音楽に名を連ねている、 バーグマン夫妻の作詞によるものだと初めて知りました。

For most of the time these days I really enjoy getting my favourite movies on Blu Ray. I particularly get them for the extras that are on them. With Yentl it has a whole disc devoted to loads of really great rare extras!. On the second disc it includes two versions of the film, the theatrical version & the director's extended edition. This Blu Ray is well worth purchasing!

Dopo 5 invii di recensioni sul film e sulla diva FINALMENTE HO RICEVUTO IL DVD COL FILM!!!!!!!! =Gli stradivi si fanno desiderare e ti raggirano

QUELLE SUPERB FILM AVEC LE TALENTED BARBRA STREISAND . J'AI EU TELLEMENT DE PLAISIR A LE REVOIR APRES TANT D'ANNEES