Daniel

1983
R
2h 10m

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

1.6K

YOUR RATING

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Drama Mystery Thriller

Daniel Isaacson attempts to determine the true complicity of his parents Paul and Rochelle Isaacson, who were executed for espionage in the 1950s.Daniel Isaacson attempts to determine the true complicity of his parents Paul and Rochelle Isaacson, who were executed for espionage in the 1950s.Daniel Isaacson attempts to determine the true complicity of his parents Paul and Rochelle Isaacson, who were executed for espionage in the 1950s.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

1.6K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
Reportedly, actor Timothy Hutton wanted his part so much he had his agent constantly telephone director Sidney Lumet to organize an interview. Later, Hutton flew to New York at his own cost, met with Lumet, and within twenty minutes had secured the role.

Quotes
Paul Isaacson: If they didn't arrest people, they'd have nothing to do.

Alternate versions
NBC edited 33 minutes from this film for its 1987 network television premiere.

Connections
Featured in By Sidney Lumet (2015)

User reviews20

Review

Featured review

7/10

As an acquaintance of Robert Meeropol...

The story of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, who were executed in 1953 on the trumped-up charge of spying for the Soviet Union, "Daniel" is fictionalized but still relevant. Mandy Patinkin and Lindsay Crouse play the Julius and Ethel characters Paul and Rochelle Isaacson, while Timothy Hutton is their son Daniel, trying all his life to try and find out what happened to them, and what was behind it.

I actually know Robert Meeropol (Julius and Ethel's real son). After he and his brother found out the truth behind their parents' execution (that the McCarthyites wanted to eliminate any opposition), they sued the government and won. They established the Rosenberg Fund for Children, to protect the families of political prisoners. On the 50th anniversary of his parents' execution, Robert Meeropol reminded the world that the "War on Terrorism" has replaced the Cold War.

As long as totalitarian governments exist, "Daniel" will remain a relevant movie. Or even under democracy, to remind people of despotism.