Fiddler on the Roof — Wow!

30th August, 2018.

It’s a Thursday night.

It’s a Thursday night off.

And it’s a Thursday night off I think I’m going to value.

I’ve seen a film tonight.

And, if you’ve paid attention to both the intro video, and to the title card I’ve used as openers for this post?

You’ll realise which film I’ve seen.

Can I tell you something, here?

There’s a few — possibly a lot — of films out there people will tell you to put on your bucket list.

I’m know regular commenters, Olga Nuñez-Miret and Debbi Mack has both heavily suggested They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? several times, over the years.

I’ve still not caught it!

Other films have been suggested, too.

Metropolis for one.

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, for another.

The Third Man and as — HA — still extra films to add to a filmic bucket list.

There’s more.

Other people I know would suggest musicals.

And, granted?   I’ve seen both Cabaret and West Side Story.

And am very aware there’s possibly more around I should be adding to any given bucket list.

Including the one I’ve caught to night: a Norman Jewison directed musical based on Sholem Aleichem’s Tevye and his Daughters … 

Better know to us … ?

As Fiddler on the Roof.

And yes: I think ‘Wow’ is the right word.

~≈§≈~

Set in 1905, in the Tsarist Russian village of Anatevka, the film tells us the story of Teyve (Topol): the village milkman who feels — like the rest of his fellow Jewish villagers — that he’s like the Fiddler of the title.

Precariously balancing trying to earn a living, bring up a family, with dealing with the prejudices of his Russian neighbours.

Literally balancing scraping out a nice tune tune … whilst NOT falling off the roof.

The only thing helping him keep his balance?



Is the occasional word with God … 

And sticking to time honoured Jewish tradition.

It’s only when he tries to arrange a marriage for his eldest daughte, Tzeitel, that things start to get … 

Radical.

Tzeitel (Rosalind Harris) is in love with the village tailor: rather than the man Tevye wants her to marry.

Hodel (Michele March) falls for Perchick (Paul Michael Glaser): a radical young man.

And Chava (Neva Small,) the youngest of the three?   Marrying out … 

All this?



And his wife, Golde (Norma Crane) is as argumentative as she could be.

Oh … and the local authorities went Russia’s Jews to move seriously beyond the Pale*.

Or dead …

You can tell it’s going to be emotional …

~≈§≈~

You notice I say ‘emotional,’ there?

I think I’m right.

I think a good film — hell, a good story — should be emotional.

Giving us characters that don’t rouse our feelings?

Means we’ll have no interest in the story being told.

At least, that’s my thinking.

Fiddler on the Roof does that.

We are given a sympathetic everyman, trying his best to keep his faith and traditions alive, whilst making sure his family get the life — and loves — they deserve … 

AND get safely out of a country that’s becoming gradually less safe over the course of the film.

Yes, Fiddler on the Roof is emotional.

Yes, Fiddler on the Roof is an roller coaster ride you can hum.

But yes … 

It’s three hours worth of time well spent.

Fiddler on the Roof

★★★★⁺

*        The Pale was the only bit of Russia where the country’s Jewish population were allowed to live.   Any where else?   Got a reaction.   Ever heard the word pogrom?   It’s Russian …