Director Jeremy Kagan's film-version of "The Chosen" theatrically first released nearly 40 Years ago in the early 1980's presents an emotionally-resonant and worthy cinematic interpretation of Chaim Potok's renowned and deeply-insightful novel from 1967. Kagan's film was obviously made on a very 'modest' budget..... and is probably not as well-remembered today as it most definitely deserves to be.
"The Chosen" is fascinating in both film and Book form, contrasting the Lives (i.e. hopes, dreams, aspirations) of two Jewish teenagers coming-of-age during, and slightly after WWII, both extremely bright but originating from contrasting traditions and diverse cultural-backgrounds.
'Reuven' oriented toward modernist-assimilation as the son of Professor David Malter a respected writer & intellectual very supportive of the burgeoning State of Israel, leading up to 1948 Independence..... but with a secular-leaning and 'forward-looking' perspective (during the immediate post-WWII era.) Contrasting against the Life and outlook of Hasidic 'Danny' who is blessed with steel-trap eidetic-memory and astronomical IQ but also more than a bit intellectually stifled by the fact that he is expected to follow in the hallowed but obligatory footsteps of his father Rebbe Saunders (a genuinely powerful spiritual-leader that his community totally depends upon for guidance.)
Director Jeremy Kagan does a superlative job guiding his stellar-cast: Barry Miller is down-to-Earth and totally 'relatable' as 'Reuven Malter' bright, inquisitive, funny..... simply aspiring to be a successful participant in the 'American-Dream' leaving those 'old-World' hang-ups behind (until faced with more serious ramifications of WWII/ Holocaust later in the film).
Robby Benson seems surprisingly authentic as 'Danny Saunders' other-worldly and infinitely inquisitive (secretly reading bundles of books by Freud and other cutting-edge influential thinkers of that time, initially without the inkling of his father Rebbe Saunders)..... building a deep-trusting friendship with 'Reuven' while simultaneously being exposed to modernity until Rebbe Saunders becomes aware and intervenes.
Rod Steiger is authoritative and intimidatingly believable as the intense, spiritually-focused (taciturn yet deeply-compassionate) 'Rebbe Saunders' who acknowledges son 'Danny's intellectual-gifts and aspirations but also expects him to always be a genuinely 'good' person of unwavering integrity and honor (especially in the eyes of G_d)..... no matter what future pathway he chooses....
Maximillian Schell is also convincing as Professor David Malter wholeheartedly believing that modernity and 'progress' hold the keys to future prosperity (and ultimate long-term survival) particularly in the immediate aftermath of the Holocaust but at the same time Professor Malter does poignantly express to son 'Rueven' his great respect & admiration for those devout and unwavering spiritual leaders like Rebbe Saunders who through their uncompromising belief and sheer force-of-will kept Jewish identity alive for over 3 millennia, defying all odds.
"The Chosen" is fascinating in both film and Book form, contrasting the Lives (i.e. hopes, dreams, aspirations) of two Jewish teenagers coming-of-age during, and slightly after WWII, both extremely bright but originating from contrasting traditions and diverse cultural-backgrounds.
'Reuven' oriented toward modernist-assimilation as the son of Professor David Malter a respected writer & intellectual very supportive of the burgeoning State of Israel, leading up to 1948 Independence..... but with a secular-leaning and 'forward-looking' perspective (during the immediate post-WWII era.) Contrasting against the Life and outlook of Hasidic 'Danny' who is blessed with steel-trap eidetic-memory and astronomical IQ but also more than a bit intellectually stifled by the fact that he is expected to follow in the hallowed but obligatory footsteps of his father Rebbe Saunders (a genuinely powerful spiritual-leader that his community totally depends upon for guidance.)
Director Jeremy Kagan does a superlative job guiding his stellar-cast: Barry Miller is down-to-Earth and totally 'relatable' as 'Reuven Malter' bright, inquisitive, funny..... simply aspiring to be a successful participant in the 'American-Dream' leaving those 'old-World' hang-ups behind (until faced with more serious ramifications of WWII/ Holocaust later in the film).
Robby Benson seems surprisingly authentic as 'Danny Saunders' other-worldly and infinitely inquisitive (secretly reading bundles of books by Freud and other cutting-edge influential thinkers of that time, initially without the inkling of his father Rebbe Saunders)..... building a deep-trusting friendship with 'Reuven' while simultaneously being exposed to modernity until Rebbe Saunders becomes aware and intervenes.
Rod Steiger is authoritative and intimidatingly believable as the intense, spiritually-focused (taciturn yet deeply-compassionate) 'Rebbe Saunders' who acknowledges son 'Danny's intellectual-gifts and aspirations but also expects him to always be a genuinely 'good' person of unwavering integrity and honor (especially in the eyes of G_d)..... no matter what future pathway he chooses....
Maximillian Schell is also convincing as Professor David Malter wholeheartedly believing that modernity and 'progress' hold the keys to future prosperity (and ultimate long-term survival) particularly in the immediate aftermath of the Holocaust but at the same time Professor Malter does poignantly express to son 'Rueven' his great respect & admiration for those devout and unwavering spiritual leaders like Rebbe Saunders who through their uncompromising belief and sheer force-of-will kept Jewish identity alive for over 3 millennia, defying all odds.