The film broke new ground when Marilyn Bergman became the first woman to win an Oscar for original score.

She shared the award with her husband and writing partner, Alan Bergman, and composer Michel Legrand in the original song score category.

(At the time, the Academy handed out separate honors to “musical” and “non-musical” movies; Yentl was considered the former).

She and the duo had met when Streisand was performing in New York clubs at age 18, and they became close friends.

When Streisand struggled to get studio backing for Yentl, the Bergmans suggested she turn the film into a musical, and Orion Pictures came aboard.

Streisand expertly blended music into the movie’s structure, making it work seamlessly. She is the only character who sings in the movie, and the songs become a projection of her inner feelings.

Yentl was nominated in 4 other Oscar categories, including two original song nods for the Bergmans’ and Legrand’s “Papa, Can You Hear Me?” and “The Way He Makes Me Feel,” but Streisand was overlooked as a director nominee.

After the ceremony, “Marilyn Bergman, aware of the slight to Streisand, said, ‘Yeah, I’m glad Yentl won something. Barbra is a winner. The film is a triumph wherever it has played.’ ”

Contrary to popular notion, Yentl was a commercial hit, earning $69 million at the box office against a modest production budget of $12 million.

Credits:

Directed by Barbra Streisand
Screenplay by Streisand, Jack Rosenthal, based on Yentl The Yeshiva Boy by Isaac Bashevis Singer
Produced by Streisand, Larry DeWaay, Rusty Lemorande, John Davis

Cinematography David Watkin
Edited by Terry Rawlings
Music by Michel Legrand (music)
Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman (lyrics)

Production companies: United Artists, Barwood Films, Ladbroke Entertainment

Distributed by MGM/UA Entertainment Company

Release date: November 18, 1983

Running time: 134 min (theatrical); 137 min (director’s cut)
Budget $12 million
Box office $68.7 million