Fiddler on the Roof

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: Fiddler on the Roof
Review: IT was absolutely amazing. Everything about it! The backround and effects were amaxing and it was a very touching story with absolutely wonderful actors and unforgetable songs. SPECTACULAR!

Rating:
Summary: The best contextual musical ever
Review: Norman Jewison's "Fiddler On the Roof" is the story of a poor milkman living in tsarist Russia, which in the outskirts of Russia. This is one of the most original musicals, based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem. Played by Chaim Topol and Norma Crane as Tevye and Golde, the acting of this role of parents of five daughters in an orthodox Jewish family is done brilliantly. Tevye's misquotings of the bible is hilarious. The songs in the movie are outstanding and poignant. Starting from the beginning with "Tradition", with violinist Isaac Stern doing his magic, every song has its uniqueness.

Each of his three older daughters choose a different path. The first one refuses to marry the person chosen by the father as she in love with the tailer Motel. The way Tevye cons his wife into agreeing for this wedding is one of the funniest pieces of the movie. The characters chosen are unique and beautifully portrayed. The song before this, "Matchmaker, matchmaker" is beautiful. The way Yente, the matchmaker looks at the youngest daughters as though they were caravans wares is extremely funny. The second daughter Tseitel chooses the revolutionary who is against the Tsar and wishes communism. The song in the bar "To life, Le Chaim" is unusual and shows the way the Jews and the Christians can get along in a limited manner. The third daughter chooses a gentile.

Though this is a musical, the acting, story and the character portrayal is deep. Songs range from comic like "If I were a rich man", to haunting, "Sunrise, sunset", to sad and lonely, "Little bird". Though being Jewish will help one understand this movie better, it is not a necessity. The screenplay is wonderful. The particular one that I like is when Avraham comes and tells that there are bad things going on in the world. Another person says, "Why should I break my head about the outside world, let the outside world break its own head". Here Tevye says, "He is right, if you spit in the air, it lands in your face." Then the revolutionary says, "Nonsense, you cannot be blind to what happens outside." Then Tevye says, "You know, he is also right." At this time Avraham points to the revolutionary and the other person and says, "He is right and he is right, they can't both be right." Now Tevye looks at Avraham and says, "You know, you are also right."

When the Jews are evicted, it is extremely sad. They console themselves saying that their village Anatevka was not exactly the garden of Eden. This song, "Anatevka", is sad and heartbreaking. They have so little but still love it. It reminds one that happiness is something of the inside and has nothing to do with material possessions. This movie is a classic and a timeless masterpiece. It might be difficult for some people to understand due to the history of Tsarist Russia and its pogroms and the context, otherwise, to date it is my favorite musical.

Rating:
Summary: Cinematic Fabulism
Review: What the cast and crew of Fiddler on the Roof have achieved is breathtaking. They've taken the literary concept of magical realism and translated it into the language of cinema. The events and characters are exaggerated, the songs are almost overly grandiose, but all this does is to emphasize the emotional and psychological truths at this great film's heart. By transmuting all the conscious and subconscious greed, anxiety, sadness, and joy of the characters into song-and-dance numbers, the film enshrines those emotions and ideas that comprise the human mind, and, more than that, the soul.

Rating:
Summary: On the other hand...
Review: This is such a great movie in so many ways. I only consider a movie to be good if it makes me cry my eyes out. And I am not talking about just sadness. A movie has to reach into my heart and deeply move my emotions in some profound way.

Needless to say, this movie does. It makes you think about life on so many levels. It also addresses the deepest love that anybody ever has... I am talking about the love a parent has for their children.

It has always amazed me how Hollywood makes so many movies about romantic love, which is so much weaker than the love a parent has for their children.If they really want to make good movies, they should focus on the parent-child
relationship.

To top it off, this movie inspired me to love God more. Tevya talks to God like a friend, and he really inspired me to love God as my friend and talk to Him kind of like Tevya. What more could you ask for in a movie?

Rating:
Summary: The fiddler foreshadows the change
Review: The musical scenes span generations of enjoyment. Tevye (Topol), the community milkman is plagued with bad luck. Tevye's horse has gone lame leaving Tevye too pull the milk cart. This musical is filled with humor, song, and tears.

Tevye wants to be a rich man, pleading with the Lord too give him some of the wealth as he carries on a humorous and reflective dialog with God. The community is constant hear about bad news but doesn't want to listen letting bad news fall on itself.

The Sabboth worship is touching, powerful, and moving as they pray and sing. As well as the beautiful music and dance delivered during the marriage (Sunrise and Sunset).

The marriage between the Tailor and Tevye's oldest daughter is deeply symbolic of the unbreakable marriage agreement. Tevye's creative explanation to his wife about their ancestors haunting them because of the agreement between the Butcher and the daughter was great. Also, the verbal fight between the Butcher and Tevye is absolutely hilarious. The likable nature of Tevye and his celebration of life draws the view counter position as anti-semitic decree of ostracism is announced by the constable friend who has know Tevye all his life.

The persecution of the Jewish communities leaves the viewer wonder, "why?" The Jewish community seems so happy and their isolation perfect. Tevye decides not to fight the order to leave in three days and packs his possession for departure to America. Tevye mentions that perhaps that why they wear a hat on their head because they want to be ready to leave and plan not to stay in one place too long.

Tevye must struggle with tradition and change. What is love? Tevye inquires of his wife, if she loves him. She is uncomfortable by the question telling Tevye she was bore him children, lived with him twenty five years, and cooked for him; she must love him. Tevye reassures himself that tradition work out best for him in matters of love because they grew too love each other.

Tevye is able to accept breaks from tradition such as marriage without a match maker, men and women dancing together, but initially is unable to accept a gentile marriage of his daughter whom he originally disowns. Tevye tradition anchors deeply in his stubbornness to accept his last daughter's marriage. However, Tevye love for his daughter prevails in the scene where she comes to wish them farewell as they leave for America. Tevye tells her "Go with God". Tradition and God deeply tied together linking them together.

The fiddler foreshadows the change of the Jewish people and highlights the irony of life. Tevye finds the Fiddlers irony friendly and the realities of life endurable.


Rating:
Summary: Fiddler on the Roof
Review: The acclaimed musical-film Fiddler on the Roof is a classic, and features some hilarious songs and rousing cinematography. 5 out of 5 stars, a classic!

Rating:
Summary: Great gift idea!
Review: My wife and I are big fans of Fiddler on the Roof. I bought this for her as a gift. It is absolutely wonderful. The picture quality (remastering,etc.) is great. What else can I say? Buy it.

Rating:
Summary: The best contextual musical ever
Review: Norman Jewison's "Fiddler On the Roof" is the story of a poor milkman living in tsarist Russia, which in the outskirts of Russia. This is one of the most original musicals, based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem. Played by Chaim Topol and Norma Crane as Tevye and Golde, the acting of this role of parents of five daughters in an orthodox Jewish family is done brilliantly. Tevye's misquotings of the bible is hilarious. The songs in the movie are outstanding and poignant. Starting from the beginning with "Tradition", with violinist Isaac Stern doing his magic, every song has its uniqueness.

Each of his three older daughters choose a different path. The first one refuses to marry the person chosen by the father as she in love with the tailer Motel. The way Tevye cons his wife into agreeing for this wedding is one of the funniest pieces of the movie. The characters chosen are unique and beautifully portrayed. The song before this, "Matchmaker, matchmaker" is beautiful. The way Yente, the matchmaker looks at the youngest daughters as though they were caravans wares is extremely funny. The second daughter Tseitel chooses the revolutionary who is against the Tsar and wishes communism. The song in the bar "To life, Le Chaim" is unusual and shows the way the Jews and the Christians can get along in a limited manner. The third daughter chooses a gentile.

Though this is a musical, the acting, story and the character portrayal is deep. Songs range from comic like "If I were a rich man", to haunting, "Sunrise, sunset", to sad and lonely, "Little bird". Though being Jewish will help one understand this movie better, it is not a necessity. The screenplay is wonderful. The particular one that I like is when Avraham comes and tells that there are bad things going on in the world. Another person says, "Why should I break my head about the outside world, let the outside world break its own head". Here Tevye says, "He is right, if you spit in the air, it lands in your face." Then the revolutionary says, "Nonsense, you cannot be blind to what happens outside." Then Tevye says, "You know, he is also right." At this time Avraham points to the revolutionary and the other person and says, "He is right and he is right, they can't both be right." Now Tevye looks at Avraham and says, "You know, you are also right."

When the Jews are evicted, it is extremely sad. They console themselves saying that their village Anatevka was not exactly the garden of Eden. This song, "Anatevka", is sad and heartbreaking. They have so little but still love it. It reminds one that happiness is something of the inside and has nothing to do with material possessions. This movie is a classic and a timeless masterpiece. It might be difficult for some people to understand due to the history of Tsarist Russia and its pogroms and the context, otherwise, to date it is my favorite musical.