IMDb > Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
Fiddler on the Roof
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Fiddler on the Roof (1971) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 5)
Fiddler on the Roof (1971) -- AllTrailers.net - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   13,294 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 5% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Contact:
View company contact information for Fiddler on the Roof on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
3 November 1971 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
a tradition (re-release) more
Plot:
In pre-revolutionary Russia, a poor Jewish peasant must contend with marrying off his three daughters while antisemitic sentiment threatens his home. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won 3 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 13 nominations more
User Comments:
From a Goy: One of the best films ever made. more (120 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Topol ... Tevye
Norma Crane ... Golde
Leonard Frey ... Motel
Molly Picon ... Yente
Paul Mann ... Lazar Wolf
Rosalind Harris ... Tzeitel

Michele Marsh ... Hodel
Neva Small ... Chava
Paul Michael Glaser ... Perchik (as Michael Glaser)
Ray Lovelock ... Fyedka (as Raymond Lovelock)
Elaine Edwards ... Shprintze
Candy Bonstein ... Bielke
Shimen Ruskin ... Mordcha
Zvee Scooler ... Rabbi
Louis Zorich ... Constable
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Additional Details

Runtime:
181 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (Westrex Recording System) (70 mm prints) | Mono (35 mm prints) | Stereo (35 mm mag-optical prints)
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Adverse weather in Croatia meant that some scenes had to be completed at Pinewood, just outside London. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: In the movie, the fact that Tevye wants to dance with his wife, as well as Motel and Tzeitel in their wedding, is portrayed in the movie as a scandal. As a matter of fact it is common for Orthodox Jews to dance with their brides on their wedding, this dance is called in Yiddish the Kosher-Tants. It is not prohibited for married men and women to dance with each other, although this does not apply to singles. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Tevye: A fiddler on the roof. Sounds crazy, no? But here, in our little village of Anatevka, you might say every one of us is a fiddler on the roof trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck. It isn't easy. You may ask 'Why do we stay up there if it's so dangerous?' Well, we stay because Anatevka is our home. And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word: tradition!
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Sabbath Prayer more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
49 out of 62 people found the following comment useful.
From a Goy: One of the best films ever made., 3 November 2001
Author: RT Firefly from New York

Let me say up front, I am not predisposed to enjoy a movie like this. On the contrary, as a straight WASP, the last thing I want to watch is a broadway musical or a bunch of Jews 'kavetching' about how bad they have it. That is definitely NOT what this film is about. Though the subject matter is Jewish, to say it is a Jewish film would grossly limit it's significance. It is about the human experience. Any one who has felt pain and persecution will relate to it. Therefore I say every human should love this film. It has an indomitable optimism and remarkable pathos that causes the viewer to empathize with the characters, namely Reb Tevye, played by Topol in arguably one of the finest dramatic performances ever. Considering the lack of success Topol has had with the rest of his career it would literally seem he was born to play this part. This film will most likely not be enjoyable for those looking for spoon fed, mindless entertainment or titillation, but for anyone who appreciates the beautiful things in life, it is high art. I recommend you set aside an undisturbed block of time, (use the can first, it's three hours long) when you are feeling relaxed, eat some good homemade soup and watch this masterpiece. Perfect casting, cinematography, pacing, art direction, wardrobe and best of all, an exquisite soundtrack by the great, and very young, John Williams. Listen to this movie on a powerful sound system and it will sweep you into each musical number. Especially (my favorite) the bar room dance scene. Fiddler on the Roof should be on every top 100 list that exists. Like no other movie I can think of, 'Fiddler' reaches deep into the heart and begs one to look at what things in life are worth living for and dying for.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
'Any Day Now' song - mikwalen
AFI snubbed this wonderful film! rondine
what's the name of the song? bkutach
Perchik's politics christieb7
Chava looks like... christieb7
Is Tzeital a ringer for... lostto
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