The Chosen (1981 film)
| The Chosen | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Directed by | Jeremy Kagan |
| Produced by | Ely Landau |
| Written by | Edwin Gordon |
| Based on |
The Chosen by Chaim Potok |
| Starring |
Maximilian Schell Rod Steiger Robby Benson |
| Music by | Elmer Bernstein |
| Cinematography | Arthur J. Ornitz |
| Distributed by |
20th Century Fox Analysis Film Releasing Corporation |
|
Release date
|
April 30, 1982 |
|
Running time
|
108 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Chosen is a 1981 drama film directed by Jeremy Kagan, based on the bestselling book of the same name by Chaim Potok published in 1967. It stars Maximilian Schell and Rod Steiger. It won three awards at the 1981 Montréal World Film Festival. It was distributed by Analysis Film Releasing Corp. and 20th Century Fox.
The film takes place in Brooklyn, beginning near the conclusion of the Second World War. Reuven Malter is a middle-class Modern Orthodox Jewish teenager, and the son of David Malter, a college professor and dedicated Zionist. At a baseball game between their schools, Reuven meets Danny Saunders, another Jewish teenage boy. At first, the meeting is one of enmity since Danny accidentally injures Reuven's eye during the game; this results in Reuven wearing an eye patch for a good portion of the movie. Danny goes to visit Reuven at the hospital to apologize--both boys are surprised to learn that Danny already knows David Malter from the library--and the teens gradually become friends, despite their differing backgrounds. Danny is the eldest son of a Hasidic Rebbe, the dynastic leader of the Hasidic Jews in that neighborhood. However, Danny is somewhat distant from him. Danny has also been going to the nearby public library and reading books on psychology. He amazes Reuven with his ability to remember word-for-word what he has read. It turns out that David Malter has been showing him these books. Reuven and Danny also go to a Sabbath service in Danny's Hasidic community as Danny is eager for Reuven to meet his father. Danny's father approves of their friendship - however, Rebbe Saunders disapproves of Prof. Malter's writings, which doesn't surprise anyone. Rebbe Saunders also wishes for Danny to become a rabbi and to eventually succeed him in leading his Hasidic community in keeping with the tradition of several generations but Danny doesn't seem very eager to pursue this.
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