Search - The Angel Levine on DVD

Promise Unfulfilled

Daniel G. Berk | West Bloomfield, Michigan | 11/30/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Zero Mostel plays a poor schlemiel by the name of Mishkin, who is visited by a Jewish angel named Levine. Levine is played by Harry Belafonte! This certainly promises some very clever and very amusing moments. Unfortunately, the promise remains unkept. In fact, the film never really gets started. I can remember thinking what a long time it was taking to get going, and then the closing credits started to scroll; it never got going. What is particularly disappointing is that this is a film I wanted very much to like. Alas, we don't always get what we want."

Wish it were better

K. Verson | 01/09/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Since I was teaching the short story I wanted to also show the film.
Loved seeing young Harry Belefonte and early Zero Mostel but the film does not have
impact of the short story and drags. The musical score is really irritating.
The two main characters were actually miscast, according to the story.
Karol Verson"

Such a good movie!

K. Verson | 08/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It may be a movie that mostly adults would see, but I saw it with my mother, and I loved. I found it very confusing, but my mother expained it to me during the movie."

The Unknown "Levine"

Scott T. Rivers | Los Angeles, CA USA | 09/19/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Languishing in obscurity until its DVD release, this Bernard Malamud adaptation provides a fine showcase for Zero Mostel and Harry Belafonte (his first screen role since 1959's "Odds Against Tomorrow"). Czech filmmaker Ján Kadár's American debut suffers from staginess and his uncertain handling of Malamud's short story, but the actors save the day. An engaging fable, "The Angel Levine" is recommended for ambitious cinephiles rather than mainstream viewers."