The Chosen (1981)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Jeremy Kagan

Writers:

Edwin Gordon (writer)
Chaim Potok (novel)

Release Date:

30 April 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Teen | Orthodox Jew | Friendship | 1940s | Hasidim

Awards:

4 wins

Cast

Maximilian Schell	...	Professor David Malter
Rod Steiger	...	Reb Saunders
Robby Benson	...	Danny Saunders
Barry Miller	...	Reuven Malter
Hildy Brooks	...	Mrs. Saunders
Kaethe Fine	...	Shaindel Saunders
Ron Rifkin	...	Baseball coach
Robert John Burke	...	Levi Saunders (as Robert Burke)
Lonny Price	...	Davey
Evan Handler	...	Goldberg
Douglas Warhit	...	Sam
Jeff Marcus	...	Schwartzi
Stuart Charno	...	1st Baseman
Richard Lifschutz	...	Hassidic Coach
Clement Fowler	...	Doctor

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:PG | Finland:S | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Chosen Film Company

Trivia:

Frank Maxwell's final feature film.

Quotes:

Reb Saunders: There must not be an Israel without the messiah!

Movie Connections:

Features Thrill of a Romance (1945)

The Right Choice

This film is beautiful and thought-provoking in a number of ways. The story is a "normal" account of two Jewish boys growing up during World War II and the creation of the Jewish State. The situations in the film are not overly dramatized or sensationalized. Regular moments with family and friends are rightly judged to be sufficiently interesting to form the basis of a compelling drama.

Historical context serves as a vibrant backdrop for the lives of traditional Jews, who form an ever-diminishing minority, and progressive Jews, who still seek to hold to their heritage while embracing aspects of modern life. The conflict between the two worldviews is marvelously expressed through the friendship of the two boys and through the differences in their fathers, each of whom completely embodies a certain way of life. The film also makes a strong point about children following and not following in their parents' footsteps, and how someone's essence is more important than his career.

There is a Jewish-inspired pathos to this movie that is difficult to describe, but very moving to watch. The acting is great, and the writing is unparalleled. For a long time, I considered this my very favorite film. I have since realized that no one film can possibly occupy that spot, but this one is forever at the top of my list.