Barbra Streisand Interview 1983 Yentl Brian Linehan's City Lights

In this interview from 1983, Barbra Streisand talks Yentl, women in film, women directors, acting and being an actress, films in the 1980s, Judaism, Warren Beatty, Funny Girl, William Wyler, music in film, Judaism, Lee Strasberg, Sidney Lumet, Jason Gould and Mandy Patinkin.
From 1974 to 2000, Canada’s Brian Linehan conducted thousands of in-depth interviews with the greatest actors and directors from over 60 years of film history. His programs City Lights and Linehan have not been seen since they first aired and are now available for the first time for licensing. Linehan, a stylishly gifted broadcaster, meticulously did all his own research and that, coupled with his knowledge and passion about film and filmmaking, puts him in a class all by himself.
With 20,000 hours of music footage spanning 90 years and thousands of hours of in-depth interviews with the 20th century’s icons of Film and Television, Politics, Comedy, Literature, Art, Science, Fashion and Sports, Reelin’ In The Years Productions is now the World’s Premier Source For Footage Of Musical Artists, Entertainers & History Makers.
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Note: these clips are available on KZbin for producers, directors, researchers and clearance companies for potential use in their projects. Our website on the screen is to protect the footage from being used without our consent and so industry professionals can find us to properly license the footage.
Brian Linehan, who passed away in 2004, left his entire estate to The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation to provide training, work opportunities and promotion for young actors of exceptional talent. All of the income of his Foundation is donated to not-for-profit institutions for that purpose. In the decade since his death, recipients of the Foundation’s support have included extraordinary young actors affiliated with the Canadian Film Centre, The National Screen Institute of Canada, the Stratford Shakespearean Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, which, since Brian's passing, has preserved and housed Brian's personal archive and tape library.

[@barbarajacobs9386]

I wish the public and the Academy realized the magnificence of this movie. It was ignored and had so much in there of what it was like to be a female in “the old country” who yearned to learn and not just fall back to be in the role of the traditional woman/wife/mother/daughter. It deserved awards for so much. She did not deserve to be left out. Fabulous interview. Amazing woman.

[@edreid7872]

I remember when the credits rolled, and the audience went wild when her name appeared...one of the best theatrical experiences ever...Zeigfeld Theatre, NYC...1983..several times....love Yentl..and Barbra....Her films make me so happy....

[@barbraevergreen]

Wow it really would have been a really nice experience. Wasn't born yet too. I love her, I'm 27 and it's 2020.

[@secondaryactons]

This is perhaps the best interview she's given. She seems relaxed and open in this interview due in part by the interviewers well researched questions...even if he projects a little to much or assumes too much familiarity.

[@barbraevergreen]

I find her so beautiful, intelligent and nice woman! I'm 27 and it's 2020. Edit: It's 2023 and still in awe of this woman!

[@barbraevergreen]

@Jarred Knox What do you care!? I'm 29 and it's 2021. 😂

[@timlynch5710]

Awe? She ain't no Bowie kid.

[@MatthewLS]

This is the best interview I've seen of Barbra by FAR! Kudos to Brian Linehan. You nailed it.

[@Clintsessentials]

Agree

[@barbraevergreen]

I agree.

[@tammychapman3150]

I've seen Yentl probably a dozen times, it's one of my very favorite movies.

[@pahaynes1]

I have always found her such a beautiful intelligent woman all through her career even now in 2019

[@lynnrose7562]

Barbra did such a good job on Yentl. She did this project her way and she did her jobs fantastically.

[@skylerharlan9773]

I realize I'm kinda off topic but do anybody know a good site to watch new series online?

[@martinmichael7194]

@Skyler Harlan Flixportal xD

[@skylerharlan9773]

@Martin Michael Thanks, I went there and it seems like they got a lot of movies there =) Appreciate it !!

[@martinmichael7194]

@Skyler Harlan Glad I could help :)

[@willec7105]

I agree with many here that this is probably just about the best overall interview Barbra did up to that time because one could get a real sense of her as a person....a person who just happen to be a very gifted and successful artist but who also lives a "real" life out of the spotlight as a member of a family, just like most of us. That's what's special in this for me. It wasn't a typical "Hollywood" interview about fame, stardom, career, etc. as though those things exist in some separate realm of their own, apart from our ordinary humanity. She conveys a sense what that kind of work, public persona, exposure, and fame might be like or feel like for any one of us.

[@Clintsessentials]

Indeed

[@momuny6485]

she has the best eyes

[@ms.martiegallego8834]

She's the Greatest Star, She is by far, but EVERYONE KNOWS IT ! !! Still, after all these years, She is " THE STAR", yes, She has gotten older, as we all have, but to Me She is like fine wine, She was, and is The Best. !!! ❤

[@davidmoody1235]

She isn't the greatest star and never was, so I don't know where this crap about everyone knows she is came from. My opinion of her is she is overrated as a singer and a average as a actress and director.

[@stevied17]

I could sit abs listen to these two all day long!

[@meddebkhadija1722]

She's so polite!!

[@alan-light]

I have never seen Barbra as happy, relaxed and unguarded as in this interview. It's actually startling.

[@barbraevergreen]

She has the best smile. So smart. More importantly she is God-fearing. 💗🌸🙏

[@MISTER_SBAD]

Yentl is my favourite Streisand film. Loved it the first time I saw it in 94 (on VHS) when I just became a massive fan of hers.

[@mcrmffaffriedyak]

This is the most entertaining interesting & enjoyable interview

[@BrainiacN5]

I really enjoy listening to this. I recognize myself so much in the things that she says. I don't know if it has something to do with the fact that I grew up watching her, but I would also think that maybe I was drawn to her personnality because of the similarities that were already present, since the attraction happened before I even knew consciously and objectively who Barbra Streisand really was. Still, it felt like everything about her was an extension of myself, like I was living through her. I'm a perfectionnist, and I have the same positions, thoughts, opinions and perceptions as her on a lot of different matters. She's like a second mother to me, it's almost like we share genes.

[@pastelskies8466]

Brainiac: in the journey of self-discovery, it's better not to limit yourself to living vicariously through others

[@copa1952]

One of our favorites! But then we love The Way We We’re also……….but anything Barbra touches is fab !! Let alone her voice!!

[@bruw5640]

Barbra can handle any tough question. She likes interviewers who aren’t asking questions she has been asked 10 thousand times before.

[@anneliddle2368]

Brian was a Brilliant Interviewer , he knows how to get the stars to really think about his questions before they answer , He was the Best in the Business...

[@Clintsessentials]

Absolutely one of her best interviews.

[@meveevem1001]

Barbra looks gorgeous here. And I love her reaction to his profanity. I love her ‘prudishness’ - Her voice is lyrical and face is beautiful.

[@karmamelk9]

Brilliant woman!

[@mmmattf6968]

It wasnt only the movie & story that everyone was cheering for, but also an iconic actress & Singer!!

[@outinsider]

Very intuitive interview.

[@MoeGreensRightEye]

+outinsider what do you mean?

[@outinsider]

+MoeGreensLeftEye I mean that it is well thought out, and the questions are insightful without being disrespectful.

[@MoeGreensRightEye]

+outinsider ok, but intuitive is the opposite of well thought out

[@outinsider]

Well, also, intuitive in that the questions come naturally versus planned.

[@henryjackson2357]

+Danny Schwartz who's gay?

[@brianwebberable]

Wonderful interview

[@yamil.343]

A trailblazer for so many women & a legend indeed.

[@jj2288]

I just saw this movie and I wish I can have a DVD copy and With Barbara Streisand autograph. I have watched it many time and was able to DL it.

[@pamelapieris]

This was an incredible interview! The Interviewer is one of the best, not encountered as good as him doing celebrity interviews in the present day in any medium. I felt the entire conversation authentic, and sincere. The content consisted of several topics, a rich conversation piece for a discussion on gender. I have watched Yentle several times and was disappointed when Ms Streisand was not nominated for the Best Director category at the Oscar although she won a Golden Globe Award. Brian Lenehan, thank you, RIP!

[@davidl.4297]

wow..an Intelligent interview

[@peterhallett2256]

Great interview.

[@nataliamiranda7475]

Wow great interview. I love her even more now.

[@r.j.powers381]

Brian was an absolute genius in how to encourage an interviewee to open up and just converse. Barbra was obviously passionate about the premiere of Yentl but she has never been this at ease before or since. See Brian's interview with Sophia Lauren to fully understand his brilliance.

[@sxnico]

Barbra is amazing! Thanks for uploading!

[@MyGoddessCondoleezza]

Thank for the lovely dream woman Barbra.

[@dannyreddey1550]

Brian was a great interviewer

[@enguerranddemarigny]

At 6:41 Has Miss Streisand the most ravishing hands in Hollywood ? Endless fingers enhanced with long nails !

[@heeyou1925]

Both have soothing voices

[@strawberrybananapeel2538]

Especially Barbra!😊

[@sherylhawker9593]

she is beautiful her realself, she is natural beautiful, that she is real. she is herself, is natural person is beautiful!

[@ikbelleib8136]

Sometimes being not beautiful is a gift God's gives other special gift beauty in other things like voice, mind , soul sometimes too smart We should not judge people for things we can't control

[@ikbelleib8136]

@Angeliquelovely are you kidding me!!! For me she is beautiful but some stupid interviewers keep asking her about beauty they try to make her feel a bad You didn't understand what I wrote and I'm not beautiful like what some directors want actresses to looks like models What I meant we should not judge women how they look too much pressure on us

[@הגרשוהם]

She's very beautiful to me.

[@ms.martiegallego8834]

Hey, Gorgeous !! And She was, and still is !! She incompasses it All ! ! The most important thing is She is Smart, Talented, and a Humanitarian !! Her need to help and teach is above reproach !! People need to really listen to Her and take in Her brilliance !! Luv Ya , kid !! ❤❤

[@narrowgate528]

I love this interviewer.

[@marlenegiuliano6566]

As a celebrity interviewer ( marlenegiuliano .com) I'm totally the biggest fan of Brian Lineahan! His knowledge,

[@filmmekker]

Hard to believe she’s 41 here.

[@Potaville]

She?

[@serenitybeats1677]

Not really? It’s probably the lighting. But you can tell from her voice

[@Potaville]

@@serenitybeats1677 100% Castrato!

[@serenitybeats1677]

@@Potaville huh?

[@weasley2o13]

What?!

[@cherylwoodie45]

I believe, her name is Barbara Streisand she knows the heart and soul of lives got the book ❤🎉 say yea!!!

[@jj2288]

Upload more video of Barbara PLEASE!

[@blubeaz]

What happened to the collaborations with Jane Fonda and Goldie Hawn?! That would've been great! I wish Barbra had made more films, she is so watchable!!

[@alexandreleite2541]

One of her best interviews. But what different haircut 😮😮😮 🐩 🐩

[@rr7firefly]

It's very difficult to gauge the profitability of a movie based on the Rate of Return (profitability) on its initial budget. The value of money is not the same year by year. Here Streisand talks about her movie being budgeted at 14.5 million dollars. Today, an action movie can cost hundreds of millions of dollars. One is art (we generally think); the latter is a money-making production based on audience-tested formulas that producers and investors know all too well. Hence the proliferation of ho-hum movies that are quickly forgotten even though they made their studios huge profits.

[@markbailey1970]

Credit needs to go to Jack Rosenthal for his involvement in the movie Yentl.

[@flippingmyhairback2]

I was so upset, crying, i wanted them to be together! I was so heart broken .. I never felt so heart broken for a verylong time and this made me really get heart broken.. :( .. but, on the other hand, i feel empowered..

[@chiqichiqi]

flowerpowerbunny Time for meds, crazy

[@bettybloch3025]

[...] some of the studios fear that a woman cannot be financially responsible [....] when a studio gives you forty and half a million dollars [...]art is discipline, is [....] about the imperfection and the perfection [..] it's the striving for [perfection].

[@cherylwoodie45]

Mama’s passed she was one of seven sister’s saying;find the goodness Cheryl Woodie!

[@cherylwoodie45]

Have the book! 🎉!!!

[@paulinadisilva1119]

The best

[@snarkyenigma9219]

No bigger fan of Barbra than I, but I could just never get into Yentl. Beautifully photographed with an incredible soundtrack, but I think the story line and screenplay doomed it from the beginning. Also, I think Barbra was simply miscast. But legend has it, she could not have gotten the movie made without starring in it, so I do get it. However, having seen it again (just recently), Yentl has aged very well (like a fine wine).

[@cliffedward]

It took her 10yrs to write her book. Unfortunately it was a flop selling only 200,000 copies. The reason may be that she has been out of the public eye for a long time. Now there's a new generation.

[@someonezmom]

I really liked Up the Sandbox

[@bonnie_gail]

rip Brian, good interview with this castrato

[@brandonburrell8517]

She's a woman.

[@v.l9095]

I feel like Jennifer Lawrence have a similar way of portraying the industry with how men are treated differently to women

[@chloebarry4025]

V. L stop complaining

[@mikesterSTLMO]

Oh Babs, you mention The Owl and the Pussycat and Funny Girl; let's be real ... there is plenty of the "pushy" Jewish broad" (Fanny) and plenty of Doris Wilgus Waverly Washington in you. But I digress; this is probably one of the most in depth real interviews Barbra has ever done, because God knows Barbra has done '"fluff" appearance and sit downs for decades..

[@pastelskies8466]

Stop calling her Babs. She hates that plus it's tacky.

[@brianrenollet9663]

Her voice, as always, was PHENOMENAL in Yentl. So much of the film had exceptional acting. Outstanding cinematography. But taking Barbra Streisand seriously as a young man? Nah, doesn’t work. Silly.

[@edwilde2331]

She's part of UA no wonder they would do it 😅

[@ΙωαννηςΜπαβας-κ9θ]

Utube just in time by john bavas

[@ΙωαννηςΜπαβας-κ9θ]

utube smile by john bavas

[@frankandstern8803]

19:10 guilt squirm.

[@vwgolf6487]

LOL...the hair...

[@pastelskies8466]

VW Golf: but it's okay for rock stars then & now to sport hair like that? Go laugh at Bon Jovi & many more.

[@alukuhito]

@@pastelskies8466 Relax. People are allowed to laugh at funny hairdos.

[@bslomof-1901]

So what!

[@METODOMIRKOVIC]

13:28

[@MM180.9]

The Epitome of a curly lipped Taurus

[@frankandstern8803]

How creepy is that? 28:20 talk about an uncomfortable moment.

[@moviebuff5230]

you're a looser

[@frankandstern8803]

@@moviebuff5230 who the fk are you? It was creepy. Dont like it. Fk off.

[@julietteyork3721]

Jennifer Geltman The irony of those who project. It’s LOSER.

[@pastelskies8466]

@@julietteyork3721 the true irony is her name should have been changed to gelding. lol.

[@julietteyork3721]

FRANKANDSTERN He’s a creepy, nauseating sycophant and she’s complicit in the destruction of America.

[@anitajones7090]

He creeps me out...anyone else?

[@lorettalynndavis9695]

*Anita,* from the moment he started talking, yes! Probably a *handler...*

[@DeepScreenAnalysis]

You’re just homophobic.

[@lorettalynndavis9695]

@@DeepScreenAnalysis No, it's not that. I have gays and lesbians in my family. He really does just ...creep us out lol!

[@HankHodges]

I hear you, Loretta. There's an aura of intense over-familiarity he assumes with Babs which on one hand is very much appreciated cuz he really knows her work which results in honest & at times very thought provoking questions which she's not used to. She's used to fluffy interviews where the interviewer tosses badminton force inquiries which barely require any thought at all. At the same time his almost too intimate style of interviewing obviously amuses her, one can see her holding back her giggles. And yet where as she can normally coast along in interviews with volleying back rote answers, this time she's forced to consider each question as if it were unique, cuz it is.

[@arc69smith94]

I bet his got nose envy!

[@pastelskies8466]

He has a very strange, flat nose. He comes on too strong, some times over bearing and a know it all.

[@הגרשוהם]

He's.

[@frankandstern8803]

21:23 ready to kick his a## and hand it to him. Starts to see him as a stinging, digital, little twerp.

[@dianamarie1652]

Her hair looks like crap but she did amazing on directing Yentl! Great movie

[@stephaniestanley8041]

It's funny she didn't mention love of God 🙏

[@alexd1121]

Barbra is heaven but that dog do era tho

[@garydubois7674]

This was my least favorite hairstyle she had thru the years. It is not flattering.

[@Potaville]

She?

[@הגרשוהם]

The 80s were not flattering in any field you can think of.

[@jamespromotions]

This interviewer is creepy

[@timlynch5710]

She's wrong, but not her fault. She's an Amercian in a business. A budget for art? Never. True art has no boundaries and art NEVER has limits. Me thinks this was recorded after that hairdresser dumped her. (No one finds marginalized ethnicity charming. Particualry if it's trans gendered.) ....then i bought all the candy.....

[@lorettalynndavis9695]

MK Ultra's loose time. Tons of it. She's not kidding, she really doesn't remember and that aint no accident. But I digress...This is what true acting was all about. It used to be about studying, and research, and "payin your dues" in the Theater! Memorizing lines, knowing where to stand on stage. Learning exit's and cues, and feeding off the other actors. Forgetting lines but no one in the audience knew it. Cold readings, working overnight so you could make it to that audition in the afternoons. But of course it's not like that anymore. Nothing, not even close. "Now all it takes is an androgynous face and a million takes is all that does an actor make" Is it a woman is it a man, of course the mystery of the question being part of the plan. Things not so simple and natural you see, no room for something real, no room for a "me". They master in illusion and tell you what to be. Little by little you see yourself as they see, becoming whatever it is they need you to be? But not me folks at least at first anyway, loosing more and more of myself every night and all day. No, not me folks, no not anymore cause we're not made to be worshiped and strangely adored? *This is reserved for our* *God a power higher than yours"...*

[@Potaville]

Answer: It is definitely a 100% MAN! Sorry, a 98% castrated MAN like so, so, so, so many more constantly falling off the assembly line plan....

[@amnonamnon8479]

Tell me more, please. I heard this theory before! Explain Jason her son...

[@lorettalynndavis9695]

@@amnonamnon8479 You wouldn't believe me if I told you. But what I can say is that strangely they are doing better than the average "white wash tombs" we call "actors" It all started with Barbara's search for the God of the bible, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Particularly when she got to do *"Yentyl"* (which btw was really hard to get their permission for, but miraculously God stepped in and the film was made!) They didn't know it then, but that movie makes no apologies or presumptions concerning the natural order of things. The movie corrects any notion of what a man and a woman are individually, as well as who they are to each other. Mrs. Streisand no longer seeks the lime light and was never really comfortable with it to begin with if she could not have creative control. But she like many others was an MK Ultra victim as well and has had her time. No publicity means a healthier outlook in to the real world with real people for her and her family. Hollywood is a wicked and depraved world within the world. As far as Jason, always the classic story. Abused when he was a child. And came out years ago as a homosexual; in which Barbara was very hurt by, and blames herself. But she prays. She believes, and she has even considered the Son of God, Yeshuah, Messiah, Jesus Christ. Jason never wanted to act or have anything to do with it, and in fact most of his abuse occurred as a child while Barbara's people (as well as Mr. Gould's team) were off trying to make them stars. Happy to say the relationship with his Parents is no where near what it was and is getting better and better.

[@Potaville]

@@amnonamnon8479 Jason is his daughter!

[@amnonamnon8479]

@@Potaville im really confused this! What is mk ultra 's interest in Barbra? And why would they use it, what is the agenda with her. The most beautiful voice in any range

[@spikenardmz3355]

omg this women is such an egoists shes completely in love with herself

[@תמרמלמד-ג2ק]

I'm sorry but who asked for your opinion? That's the whole point of an interview.

[@srobindittrich6599]

So what's wrong with being in love with yourself? Don't you love or even like yourself? She is being interviewed, and this interviewer is asking some very penetrating questions that most interviewers don't get into with Barbra. He's requiring her to think which I find refreshing. I think her answers are very well thought out and self aware. There is QUITE a difference in being egotistical and displaying self awareness. What i strongly suspect is that you are not used to self aware women and might find this intimidating.

[@הגרשוהם]

Hmmm... Backwards.

[@moo.johnference869]

@@srobindittrich6599 she is a full blown narcissist...

[@linaadams3875]

And that goes to show how much she lies..She's done no films with either..Barbra is a half assed actor. Jane is 100% gold when it comes to her incredible acting career..Barbra was half decent in The Way We Were, but truly, she's not that great an actress and WAS a much better singer. That is where her bread and butter comes from and she knows it..Her last movie sucked..HATED YENTLE and hated the other 2 she directed and of course starred in.. What a freaking ego..

[@strawberrybananapeel2538]

Please return to your cave

[@leegate1237]

I just don’t find her to be honest. All of those years when she could have performed live when her voice was at its peak, she claimed it was stage fright that kept her off the stage. Then, when CDs weren’t selling because of online free music, Barbra very quickly got over her stage fright and was performing in the largest venues in the world. She didn’t need to perform when her CDs sold and she was making money. She never thought of her fans and how they would have appreciated her for thinking of them. She then chose to charge outrageous prices when she realized the money she could make performing live and bye bye stage fright. That’s fine and I’m all for making money, but it’s her dishonesty I can’t stand .

[@peterdavino4408]

@Lee/ Lee I hear what you're saying but I don't necessarily think the stagework issue revolved around money as much as it did around the matter of control. Control has always been of utmost importance to Streisand. In a live performance there was always too much room for error as far as she was concerned. The fear wasn't so much about the audience as it was about herself and the possibility that she could forget lyrics etc. The fear was that she might disappoint people. Also in the early years her focus was on recording and film. On records and on film she could control her performance.

[@frankandstern8803]

After 3 mins or so I couldn't take anymore. What a crock of false passion and a superficial sense of meaning.

[@lilyvalley5389]

Her eyes omg. Face shape very nice, smooth skin. Chizled face structure. though nose, teeth, lips not my fave or to liking, but oh well. . Her hands seemed pretty. Too bad that hairstyle then. Straight or wavy been nice on her then. Tight perm sucked. What a dry frizzy looking mess that was. Not so pretty. Crazy 80s look ideas. Her words of power, self aware, pride, so true. I wish I was like her like that. I had my power, but got taken away. How could you forget a gift. I could never. The date, etc yes. I would keep it in a room or closet. Her clothing so hot. I'd be sweating. Way to covered up. Why she like that style. Too unfeminine. I'd like to see her in diff style. To be good is not enough, so I hear. Medium. Hmmm. She had wise words.

[@michaelturman1397]

yentl was a horrible movie, I don't care that they claim what an artistic movie it was, and people have very different taste, like I believe that " THE GOOD EARTH" with LUISE RAINER is one of the best movie I have ever watched and I was only nine years old. not many kids now a days [ I am now 30 years old ] would watch a black and white movie. may be I am not a M E N S C H because I DO NOT like yentl as far as BARBRA STREISAND is concerned

[@lilyvalley5389]

It wasn't all bad.

[@garydubois7674]

Yentl was a beautiful movie.

[@bslomof-1901]

I thought it was brilliant!

[@ΙωαννηςΜπαβας-κ9θ]

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