In pre-revolutionary Russia, a Jewish peasant with traditional values contends with marrying off three of his daughters with modern romantic ideals while growing anti-Semitic sentiment threa... Read allIn pre-revolutionary Russia, a Jewish peasant with traditional values contends with marrying off three of his daughters with modern romantic ideals while growing anti-Semitic sentiment threatens his village.In pre-revolutionary Russia, a Jewish peasant with traditional values contends with marrying off three of his daughters with modern romantic ideals while growing anti-Semitic sentiment threatens his village.
- Won 3 Oscars
- 10 wins & 14 nominations total
Paul Michael Glaser
- Perchik
- (as Michael Glaser)
Ray Lovelock
- Fyedka
- (as Raymond Lovelock)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFinal film of Norma Crane; she was suffering from breast cancer during production, and died less than 2 years later.
- GoofsWhen the old man is talking to Tevye about Tzeitel, the shadow of the microphone boom is visible on the old man's shirt.
- Crazy creditsTopol and the cast sing "Tradition" without any opening credits rolling. At the end of the number, the fiddler standing on the left of the screen launches into an extensive solo while the opening credits roll on the right of the screen.
- Alternate versionsOriginally released at 181 minutes (with an intermission); later trimmed for 1979 reissue to 149 minutes.
- ConnectionsEdited into 5 Second Movies: Fiddler on the Roof (2008)
- SoundtracksTradition
(1964) (uncredited)
Music by Jerry Bock
Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Performed by Topol and Chorus in the pre-credits sequence
Featured review
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.
- RT Firefly
- Nov 2, 2001
- Permalink
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $9,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $10,404,330
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $1,726,942
- Nov 11, 1979
- Gross worldwide
- $10,407,120
- Runtime3 hours 1 minute
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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