The story of the Fiddler On The Roof film is the subject of a brand new documentary – and the original film certainly warrants it.
This Thursday, the UK Jewish Film Festival kicks off in all its glory. It’s both in person and online, showcasing the best new releases about Jewish and Israeli life. With guests such as Keira Knightley, Helena Bonham Carter, Jim Broadbent, and more, UK Jewish Film Festival is an exciting festival brimming with incredible films. Highlights include The Swimmer, The Accusation, Karaoke, Charlotte, and many, many more.
But, as well you know, I’m not here to talk about new releases. Nestled in this brilliant festival is a wonderous documentary that I want to bring to your attention: Fiddler’s Journey To The Big Screen.
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Directed by Daniel Raim, and narrated by Jeff Goldblum, this film showcases never before seen footage, interviews with the cast and crew of a genuine classic, as well as never-before-seen stills that will please the most hardcore fan of the movie in question.
All of this has given me adequate cause to explore a little deeper into one of the greatest musical adaptations of all time: Fiddler On The Roof (1971).
This mighty musical showcases the whopping set pieces, amazing musical numbers, and absolutely lavish direction.
Based on the stage musical of the same name, Fiddler On The Roof centres on Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman living in shtetl in early 20th-century Imperial Russia. Tevye is faced with the challenge of marrying his five daughter through tension and challenges that are arising in his village. Thanks to his golden heart, pride, and faith, he is able to face the oppression in czarist Russia.
At almost three hours long, Fiddler On The Roof is a hefty undertaking but is still no less magical. Director Norman Jewison transports the beloved stage musical to the screen with utmost ease – enthusing the adaptation with positives from both mediums.
Much like the somewhat suffering Teyve in the film, Fiddler is enthused with a lot of heart, and a lot of beauty. This is helped by an exquisite film performance by Topol. The Israeli actor tackles such a rich complex character who is warm and immense in his absolute love. He is so famed for the role that he returned to it in 1991 for the Broadway revival of Fiddler.
Once his version of ‘If I Were A Rich Man’ gets stuck in your soul, it’ll never leave. Topol is helped by Norma Crane, Leonard Frey, Rosalind Harris, and Paul Michael Glaser who gift the film with a colourful tapestry of great characters.
It’s no wonder that Oswald Morris won an Academy-award for Best Cinematography for this one. The film is so lush and tremendous to watch, breathing life into the shtetl in which Teyve lives. For me, the biggest highlight is the marriage sequence – ‘Sunrise, Sunset’. Morris and Jewison used no artificial light, choosing to illuminate the scene with thousands of candles, enriching the moment, the perfect backdrop for new love blossoming before Teyve’s eyes.
John Williams scooped up an Academy award for his additional music, adding an elevating score to Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick’s original music. Songs such as ‘Matchmaker, Matchmaker’, ‘Do You Love Me?’ and the forementioned ‘If I Were A Rich Man’ are tremendous, life-affirming pieces that have latest decades in the musical lexicon.
Fiddler On The Roof became the highest-grossing film of 1971, receiving both critical and commercial acclaim. Though some may find it a slog, others deem it transcendent and beautiful. Jewison’s work has become a staple throughout generations – with parents passing down its power like a holy candle.
With this year’s documentary shining more light on Fiddler, may the marvellous musical continue to burn for generations more.
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Fiddler’s Journey To The Big Screen plays as part of the UK Jewish Film Festival on Sunday 20th November at 4.30pm. Here’s the trailer…
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