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

See All

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 11 Ratings

See All

8.5

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.5	Your Score
8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 11 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Fiddler On The Roof

Now Playing: Fiddler On The Roof

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

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

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

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

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

SEE ALL 13 REVIEWS

Write a Review

Negative:

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

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

SEE ALL 3 REVIEWS