Yentl

Yentl

Year: 1984

Runtime: 133 min

Language: english

DramaRomanceMusical

A young Ashkenazi Jewish woman, yearning for an education in Talmudic law, bravely disguises herself as a man. Set in Poland, she navigates the strictures of traditional society and the challenges of her dual identity while pursuing her forbidden passion. The story explores themes of faith, gender roles, and the lengths one will go to for knowledge and self-discovery.

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Timeline & Setting – Yentl (1984)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Yentl (1984). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1904

The story unfolds in 1904 Poland, a period when traditional Jewish communities regulated access to religious study for women. The era emphasizes communal approval, arranged marriages, and the preservation of family honor. The contrast with urban centers underlines the allure and dangers of seeking knowledge and freedom.

Location

Yanev, Bychawa, Poland

Yanev is a small Ashkenazi Jewish shtetl in Poland where tradition governs daily life. The community is tightly knit and insular, with customs shaping education, marriage, and social roles. From Yanev, the nearby town of Bychawa provides a gateway to new ideas as Yentl pursues learning beyond the shtetl.

🏘️ Rural shtetl 🕍 Jewish community 👪 Close-knit

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:05

Main Characters – Yentl (1984)

Meet the key characters of Yentl (1984), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Yentl (Barbra Streisand)

A brilliant and determined young woman who disguises herself as a man to study the Talmud, challenging the community's gender norms. Her pursuit of knowledge is fueled by independence and love, and she grapples with loyalty to Avigdor and Hadass.

🎓 Intelligent 💪 Determined 👩 Curious

Avigdor (Mandy Patinkin)

A fellow student at the Yeshiva and Hadass' fiancé who becomes the object of Yentl's affection. His mix of attraction, confusion, and loyalty to Hadass complicates the relationships around Yentl.

❤️ Conflicted 🎭 Complex 🧭 Loyal

Hadass (Amy Irving)

Hadass is engaged to Anshel but faces the pressure of an arranged marriage and the potential for personal happiness. She embodies the community's expectations while representing a path toward autonomy if her circumstances change.

💍 Hope 👩‍🎓 Capable 🕊️ Resilient

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:05

Major Themes – Yentl (1984)

Explore the central themes of Yentl (1984), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎓 Education

Education drives Yentl's bold choice to study the Talmud despite prohibitions. The film questions who gets to learn and how gender boundaries are enforced by tradition. It presents knowledge as a tool for personal autonomy and social change. The pursuit of learning reshapes Yentl's identity and her sense of future.

🧭 Identity

Identity is performed through Yentl's disguise, revealing the pressure of gender expectations. The story tests loyalty, love, and the cost of living a double life. As relationships develop, she must decide which version of herself to honor. The journey toward authenticity challenges the community's rigid roles.

❤️ Love

Love challenges duty as Yentl navigates affection for Avigdor while bound by Hadass and communal norms. The narrative weighs personal happiness against social obligation and communal reputation. Choices become acts of self-definition rather than simple romance. The ending hints at a future where love and freedom can coexist, albeit with sacrifice.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:05

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about hidden identity and secret lives like Yentl

Characters living a double life, torn between love and their secret.Discover other films where characters live a double life, similar to Yentl. If you enjoyed the emotional tension of Yentl's secret pursuit of knowledge and the complicated romance it creates, you'll find more movies about disguise, forbidden love, and the high-stakes performance of identity.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives follow a protagonist who must maintain a elaborate deception to achieve a goal, often involving a close-knit community or institution. The core conflict is internal and external, as the character grapples with the moral weight of their lies while forming genuine bonds that are jeopardized by their secret. The climax typically revolves around the revelation of the truth and its consequences.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by the central device of a hidden identity that drives both the plot and the emotional stakes. They share a mood of tense secrecy and bittersweet romance, exploring themes of self-discovery at a great personal cost.

Movies about the pursuit of knowledge against tradition like Yentl

Stories of intellectual passion challenging rigid traditions and roles.Explore more films similar to Yentl about the struggle for education and self-discovery. If you were moved by Yentl's courageous fight to study in a world that denied her, you'll find inspiring stories of characters breaking social constraints in their passionate quest for knowledge and intellectual liberation.

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Narrative Summary

This thread follows characters who defy gender, class, or societal expectations to pursue learning. The narrative often involves a mentor figure, symbolic acts of rebellion, and the protagonist's internal growth as they gain knowledge. The central conflict is between the character's expanding mind and the confines of their world, leading to a transformative but costly personal victory.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a core theme of intellectual yearning as a form of liberation. They possess a hopeful yet contemplative tone, focusing on the psychological journey of self-discovery and the emotional weight of challenging authority for a greater purpose.

Unlock the Full Story of Yentl

Don't stop at just watching — explore Yentl in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Yentl is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Yentl Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Yentl, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Yentl Summary

Yentl Timeline

Track the full timeline of Yentl with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Yentl Timeline

Yentl Spoiler-Free Summary

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Yentl Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Yentl

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Yentl: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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