Daniel (1983 film)
Daniel is a 1983 British-American drama film directed by Sidney Lumet, which was adapted by E. L. Doctorow from his 1971 novel The Book of Daniel. Paul and Rochelle Isaacson (based on Julius and Ethel Rosenberg) are played by Mandy Patinkin and Lindsay Crouse. Their son Daniel is played by Timothy Hutton, his wife Phyllis by Ellen Barkin, and their (fictional) daughter Susan by Amanda Plummer. In actuality, the Rosenbergs had two sons, Michael and Robert. Ed Asner and Maria Tucci also appear in the film.
| Daniel | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Sidney Lumet |
| Screenplay by | E. L. Doctorow |
| Based on | The Book of Daniel by E. L. Doctorow |
| Produced by | Burtt Harris |
| Starring | Timothy Hutton Mandy Patinkin Lindsay Crouse Edward Asner |
| Cinematography | Andrzej Bartkowiak |
| Edited by | Peter C. Frank |
| Music by | Bob James |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date | 26 August 1983 |
Running time | 130 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom / United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $687,475[1] |
Plot
The film was based on the life story of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, who were convicted as spies and executed in the electric chair by the United States government in 1953 for giving nuclear secrets to the Soviet Union. This story follows their fictionalized son as he attempts to find the truth.
Cast
- Timothy Hutton as Daniel Isaacson
- Mandy Patinkin as Paul Isaacson
- Lindsay Crouse as Rochelle Isaacson
- Edward Asner as Jacob Ascher
- Ellen Barkin as Phyllis Isaacson
- Julie Bovasso as Frieda Stein
- Tovah Feldshuh as Linda Mindish
- Carmen Mathews as Mrs. Ascher
- Amanda Plummer as Susan Isaacson
- Lee Richardson as Reporter
- John Rubinstein as Robert Lewin
- Colin Stinton as Dale
- Maria Tucci as Lise Lewin
- Ilan Mitchell-Smith as Young Daniel Isaacson
- Peter Friedman as Ben Cohen
- Will Lee as Judge (posthumously, his last appearance)
- David Margulies as Dr. Duberstein
- Leo Burmester as FBI Agent
- Rosetta LeNoire as Prison Matron
- Ron McLarty as Prison Guard
- Nicholas Saunders as Jail Doctor
- Daniel Stern as Artie Sternlicht
- Lee Wallace as Mayor
Reception
Daniel received mixed reviews, and it was not a box-office success upon its limited release. It currently holds a 43% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.