Watch Fiddler on the Roof

Fiddler on the Roof is a 1971 musical drama film, directed by Norman Jewison and based on the Broadway musical of the same name by Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick and Joseph Stein. It stars Topol as Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman living in a Russian village in the early 1900s, struggling to maintain his religious and cultural traditions in the face of changing social and political forces. Norma Crane plays his wife Golde, and Leonard Frey portrays their eldest daughter Tzeitel.

The film begins with a joyful and vibrant opening number, "Tradition", which establishes the central theme of the story: the importance of tradition in a rapidly changing world. We see Tevye and his community celebrating their religious and cultural customs, as well as their close-knit families and relationships. However, the tranquil way of life is threatened by a series of events that challenge their traditions and beliefs.

The first major challenge comes when Tevye's daughters start to rebel against the custom of arranged marriages. Tzeitel, the eldest, falls in love with a poor tailor named Motel, played by Paul Mann. Despite strong opposition from her father, who had already arranged for her to marry an older and wealthier man, Tzeitel persists in her love for Motel, ultimately leading to a crisis in her family's relationships with the rest of the community.

As the story unfolds, we see Tevye and his family grapple with other changes in their lives, such as the arrival of new technology, the pressures of poverty, and the increasing threat of anti-Semitic violence. The film features several iconic musical numbers, including "Matchmaker, Matchmaker", "Sunrise, Sunset", and "If I Were a Rich Man", which capture the emotional struggles and joys of the characters.

One of the most poignant scenes in the film comes towards the end, when Tevye's family is forced to leave their village and emigrate to America. As they say their tearful goodbyes, we see the pain of wrenching goodbye from a place they cherished, but also the hope of starting anew in a land of possibility.

Overall, Fiddler on the Roof is a stunningly beautiful, emotionally rich, and deeply moving film that celebrates the power of family, community, and tradition, and provokes viewers to reflect on what truly matters in life. It is a beloved classic of musical theatre, and rightly so, taking us on a journey of love, loss, and the struggles of identity and cultural roots, and delivering powerful messages on empathy and tolerance.

In conclusion, Fiddler on the Roof is an unforgettable masterpiece that showcases outstanding performances, compelling storytelling, and unforgettable music. It is a must-see film for anyone who loves musicals or wants to experience the timeless themes of family and traditions in a nostalgic but challenging way.

Fiddler on the Roof is a 1971 drama with a runtime of 3 hours and 1 minute. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0 and a MetaScore of 67.