Based on Singer's short story "Yentl the Yeshiva Boy" published in 1962, it centers on a young woman who defies tradition by discussing and debating Jewish law and theology with her rabbi father.
When he dies, she cuts her hair, dresses as a man, and sets out to find a yeshiva where she can continue to study Talmud and live secretly as a male named Anshel.
The resulting 1983 production veered dramatically from the original short story and play by allowing Yentl to reveal her true feelings for Avigdor and having her return to her female self and sail for the United States at the end.
The film received a scathing review from Singer, who was particularly taken aback by Streisand's monopolization of the production to its detriment: When an actor is also the producer and the director and the writer he would have to be exceedingly wise to curb his appetites.
At awards time, Streisand was snubbed at the Oscars, but the film itself received four nominations, notably winning for Best Original Music Score.