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Fiddler on the Roof

  • 1971
  • G
  • 3h 1m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
51K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,351
767
Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
Trailer for Fiddler On The Roof
Play trailer1:40
5 Videos
99+ Photos
Classic MusicalPeriod DramaTragedyDramaFamilyMusicalRomance

In 1905 Russia, a traditionalist Jewish peasant contends with marrying off three of his daughters with modern romantic ideals, all while anti-Semitic sentiment threatens his village.In 1905 Russia, a traditionalist Jewish peasant contends with marrying off three of his daughters with modern romantic ideals, all while anti-Semitic sentiment threatens his village.In 1905 Russia, a traditionalist Jewish peasant contends with marrying off three of his daughters with modern romantic ideals, all while anti-Semitic sentiment threatens his village.

  • Director
    • Norman Jewison
  • Writers
    • Sholom Aleichem
    • Arnold Perl
    • Joseph Stein
  • Stars
    • Topol
    • Norma Crane
    • Leonard Frey
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.0/10
    51K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,351
    767
    • Director
      • Norman Jewison
    • Writers
      • Sholom Aleichem
      • Arnold Perl
      • Joseph Stein
    • Stars
      • Topol
      • Norma Crane
      • Leonard Frey
    • 214User reviews
    • 58Critic reviews
    • 67Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 3 Oscars
      • 10 wins & 14 nominations total

    Videos5

    Fiddler On The Roof
    Trailer 1:40
    Fiddler On The Roof
    'Fiddler On the Roof' | Anniversary Sing-a-long
    Clip 0:47
    'Fiddler On the Roof' | Anniversary Sing-a-long
    'Fiddler On the Roof' | Anniversary Sing-a-long
    Clip 0:47
    'Fiddler On the Roof' | Anniversary Sing-a-long
    Fiddler On The Roof: 40th Anniversary (Tevye's Daughters)
    Clip 2:02
    Fiddler On The Roof: 40th Anniversary (Tevye's Daughters)
    Fiddler On The Roof: 40th Anniversary (World Is Changing)
    Clip 1:55
    Fiddler On The Roof: 40th Anniversary (World Is Changing)
    Fiddler On The Roof: 40th Anniversary (Sunrise Sunset)
    Clip 1:34
    Fiddler On The Roof: 40th Anniversary (Sunrise Sunset)

    Photos200

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    + 194
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    Top cast86

    Edit
    Topol
    Topol
    • Tevye
    Norma Crane
    Norma Crane
    • Golde
    Leonard Frey
    Leonard Frey
    • Motel
    Molly Picon
    Molly Picon
    • Yente
    Paul Mann
    • Lazar Wolf
    Rosalind Harris
    Rosalind Harris
    • Tzeitel
    Michele Marsh
    Michele Marsh
    • Hodel
    Neva Small
    • Chava
    Paul Michael Glaser
    Paul Michael Glaser
    • Perchik
    • (as Michael Glaser)
    Ray Lovelock
    Ray Lovelock
    • Fyedka
    • (as Raymond Lovelock)
    Elaine Edwards
    • Shprintze
    Candy Bonstein
    • Bielke
    Shimen Ruskin
    Shimen Ruskin
    • Mordcha
    Zvee Scooler
    Zvee Scooler
    • Rabbi
    Louis Zorich
    Louis Zorich
    • Constable
    Alfie Scopp
    Alfie Scopp
    • Avram
    Howard Goorney
    • Nachum
    Barry Dennen
    Barry Dennen
    • Mendel
    • Director
      • Norman Jewison
    • Writers
      • Sholom Aleichem
      • Arnold Perl
      • Joseph Stein
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews214

    8.050.7K
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    Featured reviews

    RodrigAndrisan

    Simple, great and very emotional

    Rarely a film so authentic. I saw several movies by Norman Jewison, Moonstruck(1987), ... and justice for all.(1979), F.I.S.T.(1978), Rollerball(1975), The Cincinnati Kid(1965), Bogus(1996), Other People's Money(1991), Only You(1994). I saw also two masterpieces by the same Norman Jewison: Jesus Christ Superstar(1973) and In the Heat of the Night(1967). Fiddler on the Roof(1971) it's his most successful and fulfilled film, in my opinion. The actors are downright amazing: Topol, Norma Crane, Leonard Frey, Molly Picon, Paul Mann, Rosalind Harris (exceptional), Michele Marsh, Neva Small. The music is very beautiful. There are many movies which lasts only 90 minutes, but you want to finish faster, they are so bad; Fiddler on the Roof it lasts 180 minutes, but you do not want to end.
    8EmperorNortonII

    A Musical "Tradition!"

    "Fiddler On the Roof" is the stage-to-screen adaptation of the famous musical. It tells the story of Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman in the tiny Russian village of Anatevka. This role is played by Topol, who played the character onstage in the London production of "Fiddler." We see him as a man mired in traditions, but struggling between his devout faith and the changing times when three of his daughters feel the urge to marry. The movie is beautifully shot, and tempers the story, which deals with the harsh realities of Jewish life in pre-Revolutionary Russia, with classic musical numbers sure to put a smile on your face. Between its incarnations on the stage and on screen, "Fiddler" will be immortal.
    10TheLittleSongbird

    Absolutely wonderful!

    I know people have complained about the length of this movie. Yeah, it is long, three hours approximately, but there are so many things that compensate. Norman Jewison's direction is very good, and the film is stylishly filmed, with some nice cinematography and there are nice scenery and costumes. The choreography is great, energetic in parts and graceful in others. Next, the music is outstanding. The incidental music largely reminiscent of Russian folk music is a real treat, but the songs are outstanding. The beautiful "Sunrise, Sunset", the fun "Tradition", the idealistic "Match Maker" and the energetic "If I Were A Rich Man", all amazing. Also, Topol, what an absolutely brilliant performance. He put body and soul into Tevye, successfully mixing humour, wisdom and poignancy and the result is one of the most memorable performances in any musical to grace our screens. All the other performances are wonderful, I liked it all five daughters had distinct personalities, and Norma Crane is fantastic as the mother. The story is both tight and poignant, about a milkman of Jewish values, who wishes his five daughters to marry. In conclusion, wonderful and definitely memorable. 10/10 Bethany Cox
    8gavin6942

    One of the All-Time Great Musicals

    In pre-revolutionary Russia, a poor Jewish peasant (Topol) must contend with marrying off his three daughters while antisemitic sentiment threatens his home.

    Let me say this right of the bat: while this film may focus on a Jewish family and their struggle to enter the modern world (which may be good or bad), you certainly do not need to be Jewish to enjoy it. I always felt like this film (and "Yentl") were marketed towards the Jewish community, but it need not be. It is just a great story with excellent songs.

    I loved the singing, the dancing, the story, the humor, the characters... there was really nothing I disliked about it. I was a bit surprised the eldest daughter was not Barbra Streisand, because they look identical. But, oh well. And I am also a bit surprised that the director was not Jewish, especially with a name like Jewison... but hey, he did a marvelous job!
    RT Firefly

    From a Goy: One of the best films ever made.

    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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    Related interests

    Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer in West Side Story (1961)
    Classic Musical
    Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, and Eliza Scanlen in Little Women (2019)
    Period Drama
    Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams in Manchester by the Sea (2016)
    Tragedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family
    Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music (1965)
    Musical
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    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The "Sunrise, Sunset" scene was not lit by electric movie lights but by hundreds of candles, by Cinematographer Oswald Morris. Years later, Norman Jewison said it was the best lit scene in any of his films.
    • Goofs
      When the old man is talking to Tevye about Tzeitel, the shadow of the microphone boom is visible on the old man's shirt.
    • Quotes

      Perchik: Money is the world's curse.

      Tevye: May the Lord smite me with it. And may I never recover!

    • Crazy credits
      Topol 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 versions
      Originally released at 181 minutes (with an intermission); later trimmed for 1979 reissue to 149 minutes.
    • Connections
      Edited into 5 Second Movies: Fiddler on the Roof (2008)
    • Soundtracks
      Tradition
      (1964) (uncredited)

      Music by Jerry Bock

      Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick

      Performed by Topol and Chorus in the pre-credits sequence

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    FAQ29

    • How long is Fiddler on the Roof?Powered by Alexa
    • What is 'Fiddler on the Roof' about?
    • Is 'Fiddler on the Roof' based on a book?
    • Where is Anatevka supposed to be?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 3, 1971 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Hebrew
      • Russian
    • Also known as
      • Violinista en el tejado
    • Filming locations
      • Lekenik, Croatia(Anatevka)
    • Production companies
      • The Mirisch Production Company
      • Cartier Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $9,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $10,404,330
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,726,942
      • Nov 11, 1979
    • Gross worldwide
      • $10,407,890
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 3h 1m(181 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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