Fiddler on the Roof

Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

Directed by Norman Jewison. Screenplay by Joseph Stein from the books of Sholom Aleichem. Starring Topol, Norma Crane, Paul Mann, Paul Michael Glaser, Leonard Frey

     Summary: Film version of the stage musical. Follows the experiences of Tevye - a milkman and Jewish peasant in pre-Revolutionary Russia. For more go to www.imdb.com

Impressions of the Movie

     Musicals don't list highly in my wish list for a movie but this one is special. The absolute king of all musicals. I fell in love with this since I saw it as a boy in the 1970's. I always associate it with Christmas and sitting around with the family to watch it as somewhat of an event. How we marvelled at Topol dancing on his barn's roof rafters as he sings "If I were a Rich Man". It is easy to forget what a blockbuster hit this was in the early 1970's.

     The story is based on the books of Sholom Aleichem. In them there is a character called Tevye who is a milkman and Jewish peasant at the times of the anti-Jewish pogroms in pre-Revolutionary Russia. The story concerns his life, family and times. There is a battle between the peasant traditions and the rapidly changing ways of the world. Czarist Russia is in turmoil. The Jewish Diaspora endeavours to ignore the influence of the outside world. Tevye plans to marry off his multitude of daughters to more wealthy Jews in the village with the help of the local matchmaker.

     However, fate is dealing Tevye a different hand. His daughters fall in love with other boys in the village. Each, in turn convince their father that it is for the best and he relents during his long monologues with God. Finally Tevye's world falls down around him as the state-sponsored pogroms force his people out and one daughter commits the sin of marrying a gentile.

     Despite the apparent tragedy in the movie its appeal is its joyful celebration of life and tradition. The film is also very funny. The quality of the film is beyond compare. The colour and texture are all perfect. As are the songs. As is the choreography. The dance sequences are simply stunning. Most movies count themselves lucky to produce a single iconic movie moment yet this film is jam-packed end-to-end with memorable moments. How about the procession leading up to "Sunrise Sunset"? What about the 'bottle dance' at the wedding? And, of course, Tevye stirring up the dust in his dance through the roof rafters as he feeds the milking cows.

     It is difficult to watch this story without being transported to another world. This other world may seem grim by modern standards but the people of the Diaspora enjoyed aspects of life to which we all yearn and to which many of us may have to return. It is also a healthy reminder of a time when anti-Semitism was pure and simple racism unfettered by modern political concerns generated through the horrible crimes committed by their decedents. It has an air of innocence that is so charming. There are almost times when you know that the people of the Diaspora can live with their neighbours - the gentiles - in perfect harmony. When Tevye fixes (what he thinks) will be the arranged wedding to Lazar Wolf they head off to the tavern to drink to 'life'. The gentile Russians in the tavern join them, congratulate them and dance with them. Despite initial suspicions Tevye and Lazar accept their best wishes. It is all heartfelt and genuine - people interacting free of politics, racism and nationalism. Such moments strike to the core of human problems throughout time. We are all the same, all laugh, all cry and we can change. We can reconcile differences.