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Topol, Norma Crane, Leonard Frey, Molly Picon, Paul Mann ... see more see more... , Rosalind Harris , Theodore Bikel , Candy Bonstein , Ina Claire , Brian Coburn , Patience Collier , Barry Dennen , Otto Diamant , Arnold Diamond , Vernon Dobtcheff , Elaine Edwards , Paul Michael Glaser , Howard Goorney , Aharon Ipalé , Carl Jaffe , Ray Lovelock , Ruth Madoc , Mark Malicz , Michele Marsh , Vladimir Medar , Roger Lloyd Pack , Albin Pahernik , Shimen Ruskin , Zvee Scooler , Alfie Scopp , Neva Small , Bob Stevenson , Louis Zorich , Sarah Cohen , Tutte Lemkow , Miki Iveria , Alfred Maron , Marika Rivera , Sammy Bayes , Stella Courtney , Stanley Fleet , Jacob Kalich , George Little , Peter Johnston

Norman Jewison's adaptation of the long-running Broadway musical is set in the Ukranian ghetto village of Anatevka (the film was actually lensed in Yugoslavia). Israeli actor Topol repeats his London ... read more read more...stage role as Tevye the milkman, whose equilibrium is constantly being challenged by his poverty, the prejudicial attitudes of non-Jews, and the romantic entanglements of his five daughters. Whenever the weight of the world becomes too much for him, Tevye carries on lengthy conversations with God, who does not answer but is at least more willing to listen than the milkman's remonstrative wife Golde. After arranging a marriage between his oldest daughter Tzeitel and wealthy butcher Lazar Wolf, Tevye is forced to do some quick rearranging when the girl falls in love with poor tailor Motel Kamzoil. Fancying himself more broad-minded than his gentile oppressors, Tevye cannot accept the notion that his other daughter Chava would want to marry Fyedka, a non-Jew. And after shouting the praises of "tradition," Tevye must change his tune-and his entire life-when he and his neighbors are forced out of Anatevka by the Czar's minions. Topol's co-stars include Norma Crane as Golde, Yiddish theater legend Molly Picon as Yente the matchmaker, and Leonard Frey as Motel. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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87% liked it

50,772 ratings

Critics

89% liked it

27 critics

G, 2 hr. 59 min.

Directed by: Norman Jewison

Release Date: November 3, 1971

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DVD Release Date: June 30, 1998

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Stats: 2,890 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,890)

  • rayman0071
    September 29, 2011
    rayman0071
    TRADITION!!!! TRADITION!!!
    And it doesn't get any better this this Oscar winning musical based on the Broadway show of the same name. Just to watch the great Topol in action is worth seeing. A Marvelous classic!!! One of the great movie musicals to ever grace the 1970's
  • moonrivers
    August 8, 2011
    moonrivers
    I can't believe that it took me so long to see this deservedly acclaimed work by Norman Jewison about how life, as John Lennon said, is what happens while we were making other plans. Rousing and heartwarming with songs that do not offend but rather enhance the affair, as well as... read more a look at life in a small Jewish village in Poland in the days before the revolution.
  • fb100000257973100
    May 6, 2011
    fb100000257973100
    From the stage play that this film is based on, it is obvious that special care had to be taken place due to the strong and loyal fan base that is around this musical of hope and tradition. While watching this film, it is clear to see that Norman Jewison has taken special care in... read more the production of the film. Visually, this film is beautiful seeing the country side and showing how it changes from a poor village to an overworked piece of land that is barely holding on. The story for this film is, sadly, one of the weakest parts. One thing that a lot of people hate is repetition. This is a film that repeats itself quite a bit. The basic formula is this: Daughter gets married, Father is upset, he gives in. Now, one of the redeeming parts of this overworked plot is that it continues to work every time. Acting wise, the only person worth mentioning is Topol as Tevye. He is seriously the only actor that develops his character, and actually makes it worthwhile and good. The rest of the cast is mostly (and sadly) one dimensional and I personally do not care for that. They introduce some good characters that I would have loved to see changed and developed, but the acting of Topol makes up for them all (thankfully). Now, the score is the complete highlight of this film and what makes this film worth the watch. There are few films that treat the subject of Judaism with respect and this is one of those films that does. The music, the set props, all capture the beauty of this heavily abused and neglected and tortured religion, and finally there is a film that gives dignity. So, overall, I say see this film if you love the original stage play, like the works of Norman Jewison, or like good musicals. But if you are expecting a deep, philosophical story line, then you are looking in the wrong place. Now, why am I recommending this story? Simple: It does what it does and what it does it does well.
  • itsjustme2004
    February 12, 2011
    itsjustme2004
    I just watched this again after maybe 20 years. With every wonderful song I felt chills to my core..... This is a timeless gem. Fiddler on the Roof is a wonderful family movie. The music is timeless. The historical content is appropriate for all ages. It is informative, and very ... read moreentertaining.
  • cosmo313
    September 30, 2010
    cosmo313
    This film is a bit overlong, and a little boring here and there, but aside from that, it is wonderful. It works better as a stage production, but it's still fine as a film. For the longest time, everthing I knew about Jewish culture came from this film. It's portrayal of the Jewi... read moresh people and culture (specifically Russian Jews) is quite accurate by many accounts, but a little laughable and stereotypical if taken out of context.

    I really like this movie, and it is one of my favorite musicals, but this isn't something I can bring myself to watch very often. It's a good story, but man, it's so depressing. I guess in the long run the story has a happier ending, but if you discount that, it's got a very bittersweet conclusion that seems to further reinforce the idea that Jews have such a miserable and downbeat history.

    The acting is mostly pretty great. Some are better than others, though. It was controversial to cast him, but Topol makes for a great Tevye. It would have been awesome had they gotten Zero Mostel to repise the role though. The music is basically the star of the show, and it's essentially flawless..unless you don't like musicals. It that's the case though, then you have no business watching this. I also really love the sets, costumes, and the camera work. The attention to detaiil is fantastic, and things just look gorgeous.

    I'll conclude this review with an interesting story: my dad, good Roman Catholic man that he is, enjos this story so much that he tried to persuade my mom to name me Lazar Wolf instead of the name I ended up with. That's awesome.
  • jjnxn
    August 1, 2010
    jjnxn
    A fine performance by Topol, nice location filming and some beautiful and of course memorable music is what this has going for it. It moves at perhaps too leisurely of a pace although it is an almost exact rendering of the stage show, still a good entertainment.
  • erika250
    May 31, 2010
    erika250
    it shows that things have to change at some point. It had little bit of lame plot and not the best acting.
  • ScoopOnline
    December 9, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    Very well made.
  • sanjurosamurai
    October 13, 2009
    sanjurosamurai
    beautiful but difficult to watch. fun and charming but depressing. completely unoriginal in its basic themes but more unique than any film in history in its culture, presentation, and use of landscapes. when one looks past the dichotomies whats left is a near spotless and epic m... read moreusical. a truly wonderful film.
  • SirPant
    September 25, 2009
    SirPant
    The best musical ever made. Topol's Tevye is probably the most lovable film character ever and this is one of my favourite films of all time!

View All Fiddler on the Roof Reviews

Critic Reviews

Peter Canavese
May 8, 2011
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews

As a musical look at family, generational and cultural conflict, and faith, Fiddler on the Roof makes a virtue of its quaintness... [Blu-ray] Full Review

James Plath
April 17, 2011
James Plath, Movie Metropolis

Topol breathes new life into Joseph Stein, Jerry Bock, and Sheldoon Harnick's musical. Full Review

Joyce Slaton
January 2, 2011
Joyce Slaton, Common Sense Media

Epic story of Jews during the Russian Revolution. Full Review

Jordan Hiller
January 6, 2010
Jordan Hiller, Bangitout.com

With each musical number, another integral and eternal aspect of Judaism is pondered, explored, and expressed with passionate flourishes. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
February 28, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Oy, what schmaltz! Full Review

Emanuel Levy
February 22, 2008
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Though the acting is good and some of the songs are glorious, this film version of the stage hit leaves much to be desired due to lack of imagination of helmer Norman Jewison and excessive running tim... Full Review

Bob Bloom
April 12, 2007
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

A lavish musical, too lavish for the subject matter, though.

Rich Cline
April 6, 2005
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

enjoyable and charming

Tony Medley
September 21, 2004
Tony Medley, Tolucan Times

Touching story with great music.

Steven D. Greydanus
May 31, 2004
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide

L'Chaim! Life itself, joyous and tragic, is the subject of the boisterous, comic, heartbreaking vision of Fiddler on the Roof. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Perchik: Money is the world's curse.
    • Tevye: May the Lord smite me with it. And may I never recover.
    • Tevye: As the good book says, when a poor man eats a chicken, one of them is sick.
    • Mendel: Where does the book say that?
    • Tevye: Well, it doesn't say that exactly, but somewhere there is something about a chicken. Good sabbath.
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Fiddler on the Roof Trivia

  • What movie is about how much a village's life is based on Tradition! (It is a musical)  Answer »
  • In what classic adaptation of a Broadway musical would you hear the song, "Sunrise, Sunset?"  Answer »
  • What movie does Tzeital the oldest of five daughters play?  Answer »
  • I played Tevye in the great musical classic Fiddler on the Roof. What is my name?   Answer »
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