Fiddler on the Roof

"Maybe that's why we still wear hats..." A huge musical, definitely one of the best I've ever seen. Chaim Topol is exactly the Tovje I had in front of me when reading Aleichem's book, despite a few changes (some added, some dropped), the unique atmosphere of a story of hard people tested by hard blows has been preserved. Mixing humor and emotion so naturally, John Williams made the original catchy songs unforgettable, and Norman Jewison recorded all the singing and dancing numbers with such infectious verve that I had to do my best to sit still and not jump around the room during one section. Three hours runtime? Who cares, if it's so great!? (07/02/2016)

Several musicals that I gave the maximum number of stars to fall into the category of classics that I saw in my early youth, and I am therefore influenced by nostalgia. Otherwise, it is true that I am not sure about the genre of musicals, it doesn't resonate with me, and I cannot appreciate it. In Fiddler on the Roof, I appreciate the story, cast, camera, and set, i.e., attributes that I can associate with a classic live-action film. Yet the film is hindered by the musical format and length, which logically are related to the inserted songs. The songs are not catchy and do not fall into the category of popular hits, but their quality needs to be appreciated by someone more qualified. As a portrayal of life in the countryside in the czarist empire during the Jewish pogroms, the film is definitely impressive and I have nothing to criticize about its dramatic aspect. Overall impression: 65%. (04/12/2022)

A film that I know primarily from a few initially quite positive songs. I was wondering what could possibly be in it, given that it's even three hours long, but as it turned out, the length is completely justified, and it's interesting how the course of the film can change from quite positive, rural, to rather depressing. Great music and a powerful experience. (03/06/2017)