Fiddler on the Roof

Name: Fiddler on the Roof
Genre: Drama, Romance, Family, Musical
Released: November 3, 1971
Duration: 181 min
Rating: 67
Cast: Leonard Frey, Michele Marsh, Molly Picon, Neva Small, Norma Crane

1971

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 16 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 16 Ratings

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Fiddler On The Roof

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Movie Details & Credits

United Artists | Release Date: November 3, 1971 | G

Starring: Leonard Frey, Michele Marsh, Molly Picon, Neva Small, Norma Crane, Paul Mann, Paul Michael Glaser, Ray Lovelock, Rosalind Harris, Topol

Summary: In prerevolutionary Russia, a Jewish peasant contends with marrying off three of his daughters while growing anti-Semitic sentiment threatens his village.

Director: Norman Jewison

Genre(s): Drama, Romance, Family, Musical

Rating: G

Runtime: 181 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

James Berardinelli

Fiddler on the Roof is not a perfect motion picture - it is too long and there are times when it's obvious that the musical numbers have been pre-recorded then lip-synched - but it represents an enjoyable three hours. Read full review

Noel Murray

By preserving the exoticism and making sure the audience left the theater humming, Jewison made a grubby, European-flavored movie that Yanks could embrace. Read full review

Empire Caroline Westbrook

It still stands up as an upbeat portrait of pre-revolutionary Russia, and will have you whistling If I Were A Rich Man for days. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

What could have been a brilliant film experience, expanding on the stage version as only film can, ends up instead as a series of wonderful bits and pieces. Read full review

Roger Ebert

Would it be heresy on my part to suggest that Fiddler isn't much as a musical, and that director Norman Jewison has made as good a film as can be made from a story that is quite simply boring? Read full review

Pauline Kael

This joyously square musical succeeds in telling one of the root stories of American Life.

Staff (Not Credited)

There's something patronising about the way Norman Jewison portrays all these poor but cheerful Yiddish types. The choreography is clumsy, the acting caricatured, and the songs themselves painfully overblown. Read full review

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User Reviews

Bitash

Jun 11, 2020

I just saw this movie and it’s 2020 and must I say I am so impressed and touched. It’s sooo well done. I wish more people knew about it. It holds up on my top list of fav classic old movies ( like Lawrence of Arabia, Gone with the Wind, Dr. Zhivaho....) and I dislike musicals!! It wasI just saw this movie and it’s 2020 and must I say I am so impressed and touched. It’s sooo well done. I wish more people knew about it. It holds up on my top list of fav classic old movies ( like Lawrence of Arabia, Gone with the Wind, Dr. Zhivaho....) and I dislike musicals!! It was entertaining while it taught me a bit of Jewish tradition mixed with history. When movies first started I had my doubts of thinking this will be a bore, I am not interested in Jewish traditions and don’t like too much singing. I hated Le Mis the movie, but gave this one a chance.
It was perfect, the acting, Dancing, singing and choreography was perfect , someone mentioned choreography of the dance scenes were weak, I disagree.....we don’t need these villagers dancing with perfect choreography and ballet or professional dance moves, the movie shows them singing and dancing like I would with my friends and sister.
Tevye is just brilliant, the signings , his voice, the acting...just fantastic. I watched the whole thing and didn’t once look at what time it was as the movie is 3 hours long. A must see, I will watch it again just to enjoy this magnificent movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

kyle20ellis

Mar 31, 2022

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 andI 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… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Frankie321

Jun 26, 2022

Tevye is a good person struggling with the change that is occurring all around him. Many of us may see ourselves similarly.

All right, the specific changes in the Fiddler movie are historic (which some would say are interesting on their own), such as marriage arranged by a matchmaker), butTevye is a good person struggling with the change that is occurring all around him. Many of us may see ourselves similarly.

All right, the specific changes in the Fiddler movie are historic (which some would say are interesting on their own), such as marriage arranged by a matchmaker), but if we can generalise that to how does Tevye handle complex situations and change, then it speaks to us today.

One theme is the passage of time, and your children growing up. The beautiful song Sunrise, Sunset captures this, and from the vantage point of several characters. If your own kids have grown up, like mine have, the emotional power of the melody, lyrics, characters, and story situation--can bring a bit of a tear to the eye.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

VestingBoot

Feb 6, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie is one of the best I have seen. The subtext within the story is missed by many. From the first meeting of Tevye and his milk wagon, to the ending of his family leaving Antevka. We see Tevye grow and while trying to maintain a small amount of tradition. This movie is a must see.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Dostoyevsky3

May 7, 2020

Fiddler on the Roof lives up to to its name through grand music and performances that fit in its thematic material.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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