Rating: 
Summary: The best of musicals - movie & DVD review
Review: The Film:Fiddler on the Roof is based on the tales of Russian Jewish life written by Shalom Alechem in the 1800s, with music scored by John Williams. Directed by Norman Jewison, it's widely acknowledged to be one of the best musicals ever made. Tevye, played by the famous jewish actor Topol, lives in the enclave of Anatevka with his wife and _6_ daughters. Insulated & protected by their Orthodox traditions, Tevye must face, with a poignant combination of humor, sorrow and acceptance, the marriage of his three eldest daughters in a series of increasingly unacceptable unions. How far can tradition be bent and still maintain the center of his family and his community's existence? Do we place tradition over family? Oswald Morris' beautiful cinematography and Jewison's compelling film-making pursue these questions both for the residents of Anatevka and for us in our ever-changing worlds. The DVD: A marvel, this film has never looked or sounded better for home viewing - a remixed Dolby 5.1 soundtrack and crystal-clear picture on a double-layer disc make this a contribution to your film library you'll not regret. Jewison & Topol's commmentary give you some ideas behind the making of the film, what the director was trying to achieve, and how Topol moved his character from stage to screen. Director's full use of the 70mm aspect ratio demands the anamorphic widescreen format used in this printing.
Rating:
Summary: Better than the stage show
Review: This movie musical is better than the stage version. It's realistic, the animals are real, and you get to see more of the village. I have a feeling that the jar that Tevye was looking into at Lazar Wolf's house was an urn that held the remains of Fruma Sarah despite the fact that she bursts out of a grave in the dream sequence. Maybe it was a dearly departed relative. I enjoyed the commentary in this DVD. Who would have known that the kid carrying the dog in the scene where the villagers leave Anatevka was one of Norman Jewison's sons. Who would have known that Norman Jewison was the singing voice of the dream Rabbi a.k.a. Mendel's grandfather. Who would have known that Norman Jewison sent money to Yugoslavia every month to see that the horse lived the rest of his years hapilly. You probably read the credits of Fiddler and Jesus Christ Superstar (Norman Jewison's next film which was also very realistic) and seen that Mendel was played by Barry Denem, the same man who played Pontius Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar. I didn't. This is better than the stage show. Buy it and be careful. It's a two sided DVD like Les Miserables in Concert. The difference is that Les Mis in Concert has both acts on each side. Fiddler has the film on one side and the special features on the other.
Rating:
Summary: From a master film maker
Review: Like a great conductor conveys the essence of a composers emotions through interpretation and conducting, this film was created, much like a symphony coming to life, in the hands of a master film maker. Tevye the milkman has three daughters who, one-by-one find the man of their dreams. The story is about Tevye's inner turmoil as he prepares himself to let each daughter go off into the world of marriage. Faith and tradition are everything in Tevye's life and thinking, and they surface in little chats he has with his God. His God is the sounding board for his thinking but his tradition offsets everything else. It is about the tradition of the Jewish culture and how everything must have a law and a faith to keep them together. Norman Jewison has made some great films over his career, but for me, Fiddler is the pinnacle of his artistic achievement in musicals. It is stylishly with the flair of an artist who knows. Music is so much of the story and Jewison has edited to the music. Unlike many previous musicals (i.e. Rogers & Hammerstein or most filmed Operas) which hold a shot for the singers and actors to move about the frame, Jewison has cut and intercut the film on the meaning of the story and the beat of the music so that the performers and the music bring the audience intimately into the lives of the characters. Fiddler shows how a creative director can construct a film to be a spectacle of congeniality of all the elements, because he knows how to tell a story visually. This is a great film from a master filmmaker with a twinkle in his eye.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best movie musicals ever
Review: Based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem, the movie version of Fiddler on the Roof features Topol as Tevye the Milkman, a poor Jewish husband and father living in pre-revolutionary Russia. His story is inevitably tragic, but humorous and touching along the way. The movie is filled with asides from Tevye, as he reveals his thoughts to the camera. He is forever quoting "the good book," sometimes correctly, sometimes not so correctly. As was tradition during this time, the matchmaker sets up all marriages. Tevye's daughters aren't too happy about this (as is shown through the famous song, Matchmaker, Matchmaker), and the older three eventually set up their own marriages. Tzeitel, the oldest, falls in love with Motel, the poor tailor, and they ask Tevye's permission to marry. He finally relents and they have a proper Jewish wedding. Hodel falls in love with a revolutionary who has been staying with Tevye and Golde and their family. She leaves her family to follow him in the heartbreaking song, "Far From the Home I Love." Chava, the delicate middle daughter, falls in love with Fyedka, a Russian. Tevye forbids this marriage, for he cannot turn from his faith. Chava chooses love over family as shown through ballet, and Tevye has no choice but to count her as dead. Tevye's story ends as the Jewish community is forced from Anatevka. Even in this hard time, Tevye is faithful that everything will turn out all right in the end. The music in this movie is absolutely beautiful. You'll tap your feet to "If I Were a Rich Man," and "Miracle of Miracles." You'll find tears in your eyes during "Sunrise, Sunset," and "Far From the Home I Love." You'll laugh at Yente and during the dance at the bar. This is a movie that belongs in everyone's movie collection. It is a story that will last forever.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Musical Ever
Review: Normally I don't like musicals. They have a lame story mixec in with a song and 10 minute dance routine every 5 minutes. However, this one would be impossible not to love. It is funny, interesting, and informative on how the Russian Jews lived about 1900. the songs aren't bad either. I love the Russian dance sequence in the bar scene. topol gives an outstanding performance as a milkman who tries to keep his traditions, but keeps giving in. I think anyone would love this movie.
Rating:
Summary: The best of all musicals.
Review: I agree with HeadbangerDuh in every sense. This is the best of musicals. While some other musicals amy be corny, boring, and downright dumb, Fiddler shows humor, interest, and is educational. Although part one is funnier, part two I feel is richer, and more full, not as goofy. This is probably the best film of the century.
Rating:
Summary: Lost Lyric???
Review: I have been a fan of this musical since being exposed to the Zero Mostel Cast Album version when I was a small kid. When I found out about the movie version (back in the late 70's after its creation), I sought to view it. Although theatre and film are completely different mediums, I felt the movie version held up to the libretto of the musical rather well. And that's where I think I might be losing something in this translation of Broadway to Hollywood.
After practically memorizing every single lick of the cast album (much like I did Jesus Christ Superstar...word for word!),
I noticed that the Special Edition DVD either deletes a verse from the original cast album text or that director Norman Jewison filmed it this way! It happens in the 'Tradition' opening sequence where the young Jewish boy runs late into Hebrew school and sings the part about what boys do in the Jewish 'tradition'.
The young boy looks out of the school at a young girl who waits outside as the last verse goes by, then it's (lyrically speaking) supposed to seque into the boys singing...."the sons". You can even hear a lasting vocal note to this effect as it jumps into a totally different scene with the daughters.
Does anyone have any background information on this minor fact?
It doesn't detract from the whole movie, but would settle a curiosity.
Thanks....
Rating:
Summary: A Touching Musical...that you will never forget
Review: "Fiddler on the Roof" is one of the greatest works for the theater of all time. The story is one of extroidinary importance, and one that has entertained ever since opening on Broadway on September 22, 1964. The story, based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem, centers around Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman who lives with his wife and five daughters in czarist Russia in 1905, on the eve of the revolutionary period. They live in their home in the small village of Anatevka. The story is so engrossing, so I will tell no more of the plot, as to not spoil for you the joys of first viewing it yourself. Tevye, the deeple religious milkman, is played magnificently by Chaim Topol (he is billed only as "Topol"). Before I saw this movie for the first time, I thought it was a mistake for the filmmakers to not have Tevye portrayed by Zero Mostel, who played him in the original Broadway production. I must say, however, that Topol is a marvel as the lovable Tevye. He is a perfect match to the character...his performance is both funny and touching. I laugh every time I see him dance while singing the famous "If I Were A Rich Man". His performance is one for the ages. The supporting performances are all extroidinary! Norma Crane is very sincere and fabulous as Golde, Tevye's wife. Rosalind Harris (Tzeitel), Michele Marsh (Hodel) and Neva Small (Cheva) are all magnificent as Tevye's three main daughter's. Their performances are all sentimental and heartfelt. Their rendition of "Matchmaker" is priceless. Leonard Frey is also great as Motel, the tailor and one of the girl's love interests. Only, the way he walks and moves can be quite annoying at times. Nevertheless, he sings a great rendition of "Miracles of Miracles". The songs are all composed by Jerry Bock with lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. Every one of the songs in "Fiddler on the Roof" is incredible. The hysterical "If I Were A Rich Man", one of the sweetest duets of all time "Do You Love Me?" and the haunting, beautifully written "Sunrise, Sunset". "Fiddler on the Roof" is an incredible story with incredible music. Th estory is very happy at times, but also very sad. I usually never cry at movies, yet several scenes made me teary eyed. Believe me, you will love this American Masterpiece. It is not just one of the greatest musicals ever written, it is one of the best movies of all-time. If you were a rich man, you couldn't buy a better show. (The DVD extras are great, also). To qoute the New York Post, "'Fiddler on the Roof' is like your grandmother's house: a place to renew old values and get your soul scrubbed out. If you're lucky enough to have it still, be wise enough to visit it often." You'll be glad you did.
Rating: 
Summary: great film, commentary leaves something to be desired
Review: Norman Jewison is one of the most rambling directors ever. His commentary is so annoying that I had to turn it off halfway through. Most of the time he isn't even talking about what's going on on the screen--he's talking about other films he's done, etc. Topol's commentary becomes the same way after a while--he starts talking about his career and forgets to talk about Fiddler. Between the two of them and their redundant commentaries, it's hardly worth buying the special edition. The regular (less expensive) version will do just fine.
Rating:
Summary: Great 5-star movie -- but I prefer two separate disks
Review: Lots of other reviewers have already described the plot, music, and performers in this excellent classic, so I won't re-invent the wheel here. My 4-star rating is directed more at the technical aspects of this particular DVD edition. To begin with, it comes on a single disk, with the movie on one side and the extra material on the other. The disk itself is plain (i.e., no graphics) and the titles are in teeny-tiny print around the hole in the middle -- print so tiny that I cannot read it without my bifocals. A minor complaint, perhaps, but highly relevant to the senior generation to which my wife and I belong -- the very same generation that is a big part of the market for this movie. Frankly, this format strikes me as a cheap-out -- and why do that with such an important classic? Especially since the list price for this DVD is $19.98, i.e. it's not exactly a "bargain" edition. I would have preferred two separate disks -- even if they cost a bit more -- with different graphics on each. So, I'm docking this edition a star for it's inconvenient format, and I certainly hope this one-disk idea does not become common, heaven forbid. On the plus side, the many interesting "extras" include a very nice background piece, narrated by director Norman Jewison, explaining the history of Jews under the Russian Tzar, the "Pale of Settlement," the pattern of village life, the various social strata, etc., such as portrayed in the film. This is especially useful for showing "Fiddler" to gentile groups who might not even be aware that the characters are Jewish. (REALLY! I have actually met people who thought of Tevye and friends as generic "Russians" and had no idea that the movie was about Jews, even though the opening number, "Tradition," features shots of Hebrew texts and synagogue art. Then again, maybe people don't know the difference between the Hebrew and Cyrillic alphabets?)
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