The Chosen (1981)

In the heart of Brooklyn, 1944, a unique friendship unfolds amidst the backdrop of a divided Jewish community. Danny Saunders and Reuven Malter, two Jewish teenagers who have grown up within mere blocks of each other, find their lives intertwined. Although of the same faith, their experiences are worlds apart - Danny, an Orthodox Jew living within the confines of his Hasidic community, and Reuven, a modern-minded teen raised by his widowed academic father, Professor David Malter. Their paths cross in a seemingly insignificant incident that, against all odds, blooms into a profound friendship. As their bond deepens, they navigate the labyrinth of each other's lives, embodying a tale of tradition and modernity, duty and personal aspiration. Danny, heir to a generations-old rabbinical calling, grapples with the expectations of his stern, tradition-bound father, Reb Saunders. Meanwhile, he harbors unspoken dreams of secular pursuits, a secret kept hidden from his conservative family. Reuven's world, on the other hand, is steered by modern sensibilities, guided by his father's scholarly teachings and confirmed Zionist beliefs. This ideological clash between the fathers threatens to fracture Danny and Reuven's friendship, a fissure widened by their divergent beliefs about the formation of a Jewish state in Palestine. As they transition into adulthood, their friendship undergoes a metamorphosis, constantly tested by the weight of tradition, parental aspirations, and the deeply divisive issue of Israel's formation. Will they succumb to the expectations of their respective fathers, or carve their own paths? The Chosen is a compelling exploration of identity, faith, and friendship, set against a vivid tableau of mid-20th century Brooklyn.

The Chosen is a drama movie featuring Maximilian Schell.

The Chosen is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Crackle, Freevee, Kanopy, Plex, Plex Player, Shout! Factory TV and Tubi TV and it's also available on fuboTV.