David Rayfiel

David Rayfiel was an American screenwriter renowned for his long and fruitful collaboration with director Sydney Pollack. His career spanned four decades, during which he contributed to numerous acclaimed films, often specializing in sharp dialogue and complex character dynamics within political and romantic thrillers. Rayfiel was known for his uncredited but significant script doctoring work on major Hollywood productions, earning respect within the industry for his narrative precision and intelligence.

Early life and education

Born in New York City, he was raised in a Jewish family in Brooklyn. He attended Cornell University but left to serve as a U.S. Army Air Forces pilot during World War II. After the war, he completed his undergraduate degree at Columbia University and later earned a master's degree in English from the University of Iowa, where he studied under the noted writer and critic R. V. Cassill.

Career

Rayfiel began his career writing for television in the 1950s, contributing to series such as The United States Steel Hour. His transition to film came with the political thriller The Slender Thread (1965), which starred Sidney Poitier and Anne Bancroft. His pivotal professional relationship began when he was hired to rewrite the script for The Scalphunters (1968), leading to a lifelong partnership with Sydney Pollack. He subsequently worked with Pollack on numerous projects, including Three Days of the Condor (1975), Absence of Malice (1981), and The Firm (1993), often refining scripts to enhance their political sophistication and narrative tension. Beyond his credited work, Rayfiel was a sought-after script doctor, performing uncredited rewrites for major films like The Great Gatsby (1974), Yentl (1983), and Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut (1999). His final screenplay was for the political drama The Interpreter (2005), another collaboration with Pollack.

Personal life

Rayfiel was married three times: first to French actress Micheline Muselli, then to journalist and filmmaker Michele Ray, and finally to Judith Rayfiel, with whom he remained until his death. He had two children. He divided his time between Manhattan and a home in Bridgehampton on Long Island. He died in Manhattan in 2011 from complications of pulmonary fibrosis.

Filmography

* The Slender Thread (1965) * The Scalphunters (1968) * Castle Keep (1969) * The Cowboys (1972) – uncredited rewrite * The Great Gatsby (1974) – uncredited * Three Days of the Condor (1975) * Yentl (1983) – uncredited * Absence of Malice (1981) * The Firm (1993) * The Interpreter (2005)

Awards and nominations

Rayfiel received a Writers Guild of America Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay for Absence of Malice. His work on Three Days of the Condor is often cited as a landmark in the political thriller genre. While he did not win major industry awards, his contributions were highly valued by collaborators, with directors like Sydney Pollack and Robert Redford frequently praising his skill.

Category:American screenwriters Category:1923 births Category:2011 deaths