Fiddler on the Roof [G]

In the steadfast little Jewish village of Anatevka tradition, tradition, tradition is everything. Without it, where are its people? In a corner of the village lives a poor milkman, Tevye, with his wife and five daughters. God-fearing and steadfast in his faith and traditions, Tevye does the best that he can do in finding the best matches for his daughters, doing right by his fellow men, and staying strong in the face of oppression in turn-of-the-century Tsarist Russia. But as the wide world gradually moves towards Anatevka, Tevye learns that change is inevitable and that tradition cannot always stand firm, but sometimes will stumble like a fiddler on the roof. 

Yes, all right it has taken me this long to watch Fiddler on the Roof! Quite possibly one of the greatest and most undervalued musical masterpieces adapted to the screen and it has taken me this long to see it! With its beautiful musical numbers, invigorating dance sequences, and breathtaking, life-affirming story, this is not a film to be missed. If I ever did my own 1001 Films You Must See Before You Die, I would very much deign to have this featured in it. 

In the steadfast little Jewish village of Anatevka tradition, tradition, tradition is everything. Without it, where are its people? In a corner of the village lives a poor milkman, Tevye, with his wife and five daughters. God-fearing and steadfast in his faith and traditions, Tevye does the best that he can do in finding the best matches for his daughters, doing right by his fellow men, and staying strong in the face of oppression in turn-of-the-century Tsarist Russia. But as the wide world gradually moves towards Anatevka, Tevye learns that change is inevitable and that tradition cannot always stand firm, but sometimes will stumble like a fiddler on the roof. 

An adaptation of the stage play by the same name, which originally came from Tevye and His Daughters by Sholem Aleichem, Fiddler on the Roof is nothing more than a musical masterpiece. John Williams adapts Jerry Bock’s original musical wonderfully with the instrumental score being equally as powerful and atmospheric as some of its more memorable numbers including ‘If I Were a Rich Man’, ‘Matchmaker’, and ‘Do You Love Me?’ 

What I particularly loved was the fact that the ethnicity, the music, practically everything that made up this movie was just infectious. During more than one scene I couldn’t help but feel the urge to just get up and dance along (badly admittedly because I totally cannot dance). During the wedding scene, it felt as though I was actually there amidst everyone dancing and really enjoying life and that’s quite possibly the best compliment that I think artists and filmmakers can be paid! 

Everything in this movie was authentic and natural; the music, the costumes, and the mournful lighting during the winter months and the warm sunlit woodlands in the summer ones just made for a highly enjoyable viewing experience. 

Starring Topol, Norma Crane, Leonard Frey, Molly Picon, Paul Mann Rosalind Harris, Michele Marsh, Neva Small, Paul Michael Glaser, Ray Lovelock, Elaine Edwards, Candy Bonstein, Shimen Ruskin, Zvee Scooler, and Louis Zorich, Fiddler on the Roof is an undeniable classic that was nominated for eight Academy Awards and filled with romance, drama, music, comedy, and delicious fourth wall breaks. It’s an absolute delight!