Movie- Fiddler on the Roof

Came out in 1971
Running time of 3 hours and 6 minutes
Rated G
Available on VHS and DVD
Directed by Norman Jewison
Written by Joseph Stein based on the works of Shalom Aleichem
Main Stars: Topol, Molly Picon, Leonard Fray

Memorable Songs: Sunrise, Sunset; If I Were a Rich Man; Matchmaker, Matchmaker

What's it all about:
The film depicts Ukranian milkman Tevye's story of trying to cling to the traditional Jewish values and rituals, while the world around him changes. During the course of the film, Tevye's daughters get married to men (some of whom are unacceptable to Tevye), and Tevye and his family face the constant threat of anti-Semitism within pre-Revolutionary Russia.

Why I Recommend It:
1 - The songs. Some of the interwoven songs are memorable tunes that reflect the characters thoughts and feelings. Some reflect the mood of the times. Others have symbolic meaning that transcend the immediate place and time of the film.

2 - The authentic depiction of a small Jewish community (shtetl life) in pre-Revolutionary Russia.

3 - The story is universal. The basic theme of love between husband and wife, parents and children, and between lovers is still relevant today.

4 - The tension between the old traditions with the new world values and idea. This theme is also still relevant today as many individuals still struggle with trying to maintain the old traditions within a modern lifestyle.

5 - The depiction of the Matchmaking tradition. The tradition keeps going on today and has even evolved with the new computer technologies (J-Date, etc.)

Distinguishing Jewish Appeal:
1 - The authentic depiction of a small Jewish community (shtetl life) in pre-Revolutionary Russia. Modern individuals can take a glimpse of how things used to be in Russia.
2 - Depiction of the traditional orthodox family through Tevye and his family. The viewer sees and can easily relate to the universal ups and downs of problems and solutions that face this particular family. 3 - Anti-semitism faced by Russan Jews that eventually spreads throughout Europe.
4 - Problem of interfaith dating. Tevye and his family face what is now an ongoing problem of what to do when one of your children is in love with someone from a different faith.

Of Note:
1- The film got eight Academy Award nominations including best picture, best director, and best actor (Topol) and won three of the awards including best song and score.
2 - The film is an adaptation of the Hal Prince-Jerome Robbins stage musical. Topol played Tevye in the Original London production.
3 - The choreography in the film was done by Jerome Robbins' assistant Tom Abbott. Abbott tried to stick as close as possible to the original state choreography.
4 - The film was shot on location in Lakenick, Yugoslavia.
5 - For the science fiction fans out there, Topol would eventually play the doctor in the 1980s film version of Flash Gordon.

Added: December 22nd 2003
Reviewer: Sandy Chertok
Score:
Related Link: Buy it
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Language: english