An epic historical musical that easily lives up to the hype with so much grand storytelling about one humble family trying to change with the times for love while still honing true to their Russian Jewish customs, until the statewide adversity of antisemitism from the Czar Empire slowly creeps over and pushes everyone out. The musical numbers are all fire and staged so well with the folk dance choreography and kinetic energy of all the passionate actors giving it their all (especially the main lead playing the gruff peasant father with a heart of gold). The movie's also very funny, with the father, mother, matchmaker, and dorky tailor being my favorites. "If I Were a Rich Man" is classic, but feels so much more relatable when you get older when in modern times with its timeless message about daydreaming and yearning for a better lot in life as while we toll away during our everyday mundane tasks in our small humble homes & work stations. Everyone is humanized with their own unique funny quirks and heartwarming mini-arcs. It's a nice feministic Critique with enough nuance where it clearly highlights the systemic root of the arranged marriages becoming more tempting under desperate desires to escape poverty. But luckily love and progress still win the day, even with the third and most challenging marriage of the film near the end. How change is a neutral force of nature that is neither good group bad. But must always be considered with an open and considerate mind. Even if it can be a bit jarring with how casual & almost stock it plays off arranging marriages between underage daughters and weird old men. The finale is tragic, but still hopefully with its theme of survival & maintaining community even when others push you out of your own home. That to seek the pursuit of happiness is to be a Fiddler on the roof. Reaching out for your passions and joy no matter how easily you may slip and fall. Because it's all worth it to feel like you're truly living your own destiny.

Why does this film only have a 81% approval rating? It should be at least 91% if not higher. Fiddler On The Roof is a very very good film and it's actually better than La La Land which was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar.

An absolutely beautiful masterpiece with memorable performances and iconic songs, "Fiddler on the Roof" is an instant classic and one of the better musicals made.

Fiddler on the Roof is a great great musical and this is possibly Norman Jewison's finest film. A wonderful and witty book moves from the comedy of a poor milkman, Tevye, being usurped by his three eldest daughters choosing husbands he doesn't accept, to the dark brutality of the pogroms. Suddenly the security of tradition and cosy chats with God vanish... Anchored by a terrific central performance by Topol, it also is blessed with great music (Jerry Bock) and lyrics and luminous magic hour cinematography by Oswald Morris.

One of the few musical adaptations where an emphasis on "realism" works. The filmmakers construct an entirely believable Jewish community in early 19th century Ukraine for the setting which gives the movie real emotional weight.

I finally sat down to watch this musical adaptation. After all, I've known of the famous song "If I Were A Rich Man" for a long time. I liked this movie. The story's final act saddened me, with the family preparing to move from Pale of Settlement to New York City. The conversation with the estranged daughter, who proclaims she doesn't want to live in a place of oppression, then proceeds to mention she will be moving to Krakow, Poland, with her husband before the two great World Wars, had me gasp out loud. I certainly want to sit down for a second viewing of the movie in the future.

A village of Jews who really enjoy singing songs about everything get kicked off their land during a Tsarist era pogrom. Meanwhile some daughters get married and village life happens and things. Not being s fan of musicals but having an interest in Russian history, I'm willing to give this half marks but it really went on far too long seeing as the plot. was pretty thin. Bought on DVD a year ago and now watched.

The character of Tevye has become an iconic role in musical theatre and has been played by many notable actors, including Chaim Topol, Zero Mostel, and Alfred Molina. Fiddler on the Roof is a classic musical that has been performed countless times since its premiere in 1964. The play tells the story of Tevye, a Jewish milkman living in the village of Anatevka, and his struggles to maintain his traditions and faith in the face of changing social and political circumstances. One of the most impressive aspects of Fiddler on the Roof is the acting. The cast embodies the complex emotions and inner conflicts of their characters while also singing and dancing. In particular, the actor playing Tevye conveys a range of emotions, from humor to sadness to anger, and makes the character relatable to audiences of all backgrounds.

A movie with classic songs, and an incredible cast that plays as characters you care about while telling an excellent story that was incredibly personal while also having important things to say about the world. This is just a fantastic movie where the themes are just as strong now as ever before.

As musical movies go this is the upper echelon. Superb acting, story and of course the music. When you need an emotional ride this should be a go to! Brilliant in its category.

Best story ever. From Tradition to love discovery. The journey for all.

Why is there a fiddler on the roof? Why do people cover their heads, wear religious clothes? Because of tradition of course Topol stars as milkman Tevye in the beloved musical by Tom Abbot focusing on a village of people who follow Judaism A wedding is taking place but cut short by occupiers in Czar Russia Producer and director Norman Jewison reminds its audience that the most important aspect of a film is its inherent humanity, and a director exists to serve and foster that, not necessarily their own bravado-fueled compositions Ultimately the musical is about a group of people stuck on the precipice between tradition and change Some of these changes are happily, if difficultly discovered, social progressions and expansions of restrictive mores about wealth, love, and the patriarchy Some of these changes are brutally foisted upon them This is a 3 hour journey yet many musicals in the future could be heavily inspired to use unique techniques like this film does It is very sentimental in a theatrical way, romantic in the old-fashioned way, nostalgic of immigration days, and very affirmative of human decency, loyalty, bravery and folk humor Musical fans will love it 50 years since it's release even if it loses a lot of it flair from the original source material

Terrible, boring, and unlikeable characters, this film makes "The Room" look good.

Repetitive drama with little plot. Watch "The Sound of Music" instead. 5/10.

Tradition is a beautiful thing, tradition is a grand thing. As long, of course, as it does not come in the way of our personal goals and our freedom to pursue them. The story of Tevye is a story of struggle between those two powerful social forces, but seen from a most unusual perspective: not of the young ones challenging traditions that suffocate them, but of a pious man of tradition, father of three beautiful daughters (five, really, but only three are of importance). His choices, his thoughts and his emotions we see and sympathize with, to the goal to better understand such social problems as antisemitism or even communism. And with such heavy burden of socio-philosophical themes, "Fiddler on the roof" still manages to be very entertaining musical, and one constructed in such a way that it can be greatly enjoyed even by the audience that has no interest in things like class warfare or what have you. Really admirable, if you ask me.

It's a wonderful movie.

My ALL TIME FAVORITE MOVIE! I have watched it at least five times.

Fiddler in the Roof is a musical done in a realistic context that really works. It's filled with great acting, awesome songs and a really good score composed by none other than John Williams with some help, fun choreography that isn't too flashy but is staged well enough that it's fun to watch. It also scores points for having a simple yet well-told story and being incredibly funny, thanks to Topol's performance ranging from calm & sincere, serious but firm and gloriously hammy. Put all these great qualities together and you've got what is possibly one of the best stage-to-screen adaptations to date.

actually a masterpiece, although it is older now I wish people would experience this movie.

Probably my top Musical of all time. I strive to hopefully make something as perfect as this film when I begin directing feature films. This film is gorgeous, perfectly cast, and absolutely phenomenally acted. I love this film.