Customer Reviews

Yentl (Two-Disc Director's Cut)

5 star:		(160)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

I just adore this movie. Great acting, sweet story, lots of culture and absolutely fabulous music... I listen to the soundtrack all the time.

Barbara Streisand is perfect at playing an intelligent, yet vulnerable woman in a time and place in which women were supposed to be illiterate and considered to be silly. Her father was a more forward-thinking man in a culture that considered teaching a woman to read something perverse and criminal. When her father dies,she loses everything... women can't read, own property or make decisions concerning the course of her life.

She decides that her persuit of knowledge of the holy scriptures is too important to let the opportunity slip through her fingers, so she cuts her hair and lives life as a male Rabbinical student. Life takes a twist she doesn't expect when she falls for her classmate and subsequently is forced to marry a young girl.

There are a lot of laughing-out-loud moments, but this is mostly just an extremely sweet story of love, sacrifice, tradition and freedom. It's definitely a feel-good movie that will put a lump in your throat. I highly recommend this film.

There are moments in your life you never forget and this is definitely one of them!! Why no release on DVD????? This is crazy when so much crap is out on DVD but not a classic once in a lifetime motion picture like Yentl!!!! Please wake up!!!!!

This is one of my favorite movies. It is a very interesting and moving picture and also very funny in some parts (Anshel's first night of wedded bliss with Hadass comes to mind.) Barbra Streisand was so talented in "Yentl." But I think Mandy Patinkin was just as entertaining, maybe more because the character of Avigdor was so multifaceted. They worked so well together. I don't understand how a classic like this is not on DVD? How could anyone give this film anything but 5 stars?

As an impressionable young guy from Sydney, who was into his "Streisand" phase, I won two tickets to see the premier of Barbra's film "Yentl". My brother picked myself and my date up in a limousine and drove us right to the red velvet carpet of the Sydney Cinema where we witnessed this cinematic miracle.
Yentl on the big screen was a joy to behold, and quite touching in it's controversial story. For years, I have patiently waited to see this classic once again in widescreen and stereo, but alas, we have never seen this on DVD. Barbra's film is a tour de force of song and story and cinematic excellence, the true ultimate movie going experience.
Set in the turn of the century Europe when the world of study belonged only to men, a young Jewish woman disguises herself as a man in order to learn more of the world around her, and finds the most powerful of lessons, love.
Please, whoever is releasing titles in DVD, PLEASE put Yentl into production, and find the marvelous documentary of it's making, and include it on the end, I still have this on Video
and treaure it. Barbra wandering around with a small movie camera finding just the right locations is priceless, her interview on Australian 60 minutes about editing the film is also worthy of inclusion.

This is actually one of The Few Times that I am Happy To Pay A HIGHER PRICE for an Item! I had pre ordered the One Disc DVD when it was announced on Amazon at a price of $8.99. I ordered it but was Disappointed that it seemed to be skimpy on the extras But I will take this DVD any way I can. I was Pleasantly Surprised when I was informed by Amazon that the one disc was being discontinued and that I would have too order the Two Disc Directors Cut, Didnt have to twist my arm on that one! I am more than Happy to shell out a few more dollars for an extra disc that will be loaded with Extras! This Movie Deserves the Full Treatment! Yentl is The GREATEST of ALL Barbra Streisand Films and is by far her Most Personal Film! I respect Barbra's Professionalism and Integrity in Making Sure that This Movie Received the Proper Treatment for a DVD Release and I know it will have been worth the wait! To Me, The Ending of The Film when Yentl is on that Ship and Singing "A Piece of Sky" is one of the greatest scenes in Cinema History, Gives me Goose Bumps everytime I see it. HERE IS A RUNDOWN OF THE DVD FEATURES: Yentl Director's Extended Edition.


Bonus Features:
Disc 1:
**Theatrical Cut (Widescreen Feature)
**Director's Extended Cut (Widescreen Feature) with added scenes from Barbra's Archives

**In 1983, I was told the film had to be no more than two hours long. I was grateful when the studio allowed me to have another fourteen minutes. But it would have been nice tohave these additional scenes included. So here they are. Barbra

**An Introduction by Barbra Streisand
**Commetary with Barbra Streisand and Rusty Lemorande
**Deleted Scenes

Disc 2:

**Special Features with Materials from Barbra's Archives
**An Introduction by Barbra Streisand
**The Director's Reel
**The Rehearsal Process with Materials from Barbra's Archives
*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 MeThat Way? Rehearsal/Feature Comparison

**The Moon and I Deleted Song Storyboard Sequence
**Several Sins a Day Deleted Song Storyboard Sequence
**Barbra's 8mm Concept Film (Play with Narration / Play without Narration)
**My Wonderful Cast and Crew
**Production Stills Gallery
**Portraits Stills Gallery
**Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery
**The Recording Studio Stills Gallery
**Teaser Trailer
**Theatrical Trail

Finally!! YENTL is on dvd! For all us Barbra fans YENTL was an amazing tour de force without comparison and as years have gone by it seemed as if Barbra had forgotten us and that it would never be released on dvd. Well, the wait was definitely worth it for it is presented here as an exquisite 2-disc Director's Cut which far surpasses any expectations I had.

First, we get a brief intro of Barbra today talking about the film. Then there is YENTL. The video presentation is so crisp and clear it is as if it was filmed today. It shows no age whatsoever. And the music. This glorious soundtrack contains some of Bartbra's best work beginning with PAPA CAN YOU HEAR ME. All music is glorious and all your surround speakers will be put to excellent use. The audio is strong even when there is no music. Dialogue is strong and background surround sound is plentiful.

We all know that YENTL was a cherished experience of love for Barbra and here she shares that joy with us. We get the original theatrical version of the film, an extended director's cut with added footage from Barbra's archives and a splendid commentary track. I usually don't listen to these. But here Barbra explains all that was behind each scene of the movie for her. It is amazing to see how she made her decisions and what the experience was like. To see the steps she took to make her dream come true is very informative. And it does not end here. The second disc has added features aplenty. There are featurettes. We see Barbra filming while she is acting and directing at the same time. We see home movies she took during the filming. And we see some songs that didn't make the cut of the final film.

Now I just want to address all the people who have been griping about how the dvd was originally listed at a much lower price and have anger at Amazon for any preorders being raised in price. Amazon actually does people a huge favor and lists an item when there is the slightest info on its release. The original price was based on the knowledge they had and not the final product. When the studio gave them the true retail price they listed it and when the item details were available they were listed asap. I am grateful to Amazon for letting me know a product I desire is in the works.

Now back to YENTL. Barbra has delivered and given us an amazing gift with this 2-disc Director's Cut of YENTL and picture, sound and features are all amazing. I highly recommend this dvd not only to Barbra fans but to all fans of quality cinema. I always felt this film was underrated. Her directing here is superb as well as her exemplary acting and beautiful/expressive singing. This film is one for the history books.

I can't tell you how many times I've seen this movie, only to be entertained, moved, and enlightened by the story of a Jewish girl determined to go where no female has gone before in Eastern European Jewish culture. Barbra Streisand's depiction of this young woman is flawless; she adds meaning to a wonderful story, not to mention the musical score which is heart rending. Her rendition of "Papa Can You Hear Me", sung under the stars while she was enroute to her "mission", will bring a tear to even a sceptic's eye. I don't understand why this movie has not been released on DVD; it is a beautifully scripted movie which deserves to be taken out of moth balls.

Not the most logical film in the world, and rather strange seeing Babs as a boy. (But how many times have we seen boys as Babs?) This musical drama's biggest feature is the beautiful music in its soundtrack and the love that Ms. Streisand had for this project. Lushly filmed by the diva herself, this film features excellent camera work and powerful emotion. Now after saying that lets get the DVD out already. My tape is getting worn and I would love to hear all the songs in 5.1 sound. Babs, no disrespect or anything but what ever the problem is WORK IT OUT!!!! Your fans are very loyal and very patient, but lets face it ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Barbra can you hear me? Can you understand me? Lets not be frightened of the DVD. Embrace the DVD. He is your friend, and lets face it, would be a best seller now wouldn't it?

This has to be one of the top 5 Streisand films of all time! Streisand pulls off one of the most impressive directoral debuts that I have ever seen. The film looks as though it was made by a veteran director, and every scene glows with love and care.

Streisand recieves great performances from both Mandy Patinkin and Amy Irving, but it is Barbra herself as Yentl/Anshel who steals the show with her moving performance.

This is a musical, but it's different in the fact that it is Yentl's internal dialogue and thoughts that are put to music, and most of the time she only sings when she is alone and no one can hear her. The music is wonderful and complements the story extremely well. "Papa Can You Hear Me?" and "A Piece of Sky" are among the most memorable songs.

Just when I thought the movies had lost their ability to touch me comes along this beautiful and uplifting film.

YENTL is without a doubt the quintessential Streisand masterpiece. It works as a musical, has compelling drama, some light comedy, and a compelling, lush romantic feel. The photography is sumptuous and stunning. Mandy Patinkin is perfect as the haunted Avigdor, and Amy Irving is beautiful and luminous as Hadass. Then, of course, there is Streisand herself, who -- despite what critics and bashers want to say -- is not the vainglorious woman she is painted to be. Michel Legrand's score will give you goosebumps, and the Alan & Marilyn Bergman lyrics complement the story to perfection. If you have not seen this film or "Funny Girl" for that matter...then you have truly not experienced the magic that is Barbra Streisand. Enjoy!