In a 1940s New York, two Jewish teenage boys are determined to remain friends despite the deep differences between their families.
Acting
Rod Steiger's eyes could kill a man.
Writing
Potok's novel breathes in every silence.
Direction
Kagan lets scenes marinate until uncomfortable.
Director
Jeremy Kagan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Robby Benson actually studied Talmud for months; Rod Steiger insisted on learning Hebrew phonetically rather than faking it.
The film captures the last generation of American Hasidic dynasties before assimilation accelerated—the Williamsburg portrayed barely exists now.
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