Search - Fiddler on the Roof [Special Edition] on DVD

MPAA Rating: G Content Advisory: Excellent For Children Movie Release: 1971 DVD Release: 10/02/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Edition: Special Collection Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 59 mins Studio: MGM Members Wishing: 35 Genres: Comedy Drama, Musical, Period Film, Musical Drama See Also: Fiddler on the Roof [Widescreen], Fiddler on the Roof [Collector's Edition], Fiddler on the Roof, Fiddler on the Roof [Decades Collection]

Norman Jewison's adaptation of the long-running Broadway musical is set in the Ukranian ghetto village of Anatevka (the film was actually lensed in Yugoslavia). Israeli actor Topol repeats his London stage role as Tevye the milkman, whose equilibrium is constantly being challenged by his poverty, the prejudicial attitudes of non-Jews, and the romantic entanglements of his five daughters. Whenever the weight of the world becomes too much for him, Tevye carries on lengthy conversations with God, who does not answer but is at least more willing to listen than the milkman's remonstrative wife Golde. After arranging a marriage between his oldest daughter Tzeitel and wealthy butcher Lazar Wolf, Tevye is forced to do some quick rearranging when the girl falls in love with poor tailor Motel Kamzoil. Fancying himself more broad-minded than his gentile oppressors, Tevye cannot accept the notion that his other daughter Chava would want to marry Fyedka, a non-Jew. And after shouting the praises of "tradition," Tevye must change his tune-and his entire life-when he and his neighbors are forced out of Anatevka by the Czar's minions. Topol's co-stars include Norma Crane as Golde, Yiddish theater legend Molly Picon as Yente the matchmaker, and Leonard Frey as Motel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Topol - Tevye
Norma Crane - Golde
Leonard Frey - Motel
Molly Picon - Yente
Paul Mann - Lazar Wolf

Norman Jewison's artistically and commercially successful adaptation of the beloved musical Fiddler on the Roof gets the deluxe DVD treatment from MGM that it richly deserves with this fine release. The film is presented in a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. Oswald Morris won the Oscar for his rich cinematography and his excellent work comes through clearly on this disc. The English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1. English, Spanish, and French subtitles are accessible. Norman Jewison and star Topol provide a commentary track on the disc. Though they were recorded at different times, their comments are well-edited, creating a pleasant flow of anecdotes and insight into the creative process. Jewison explains how the look of the film was achieved, and why he wanted Topol as the lead instead of the equally popular Zero Mostel, who had played the part on Broadway. Another well-produced extra consists of Jewison reading from the stories on which this classic work is based. Rounded out with a deleted musical number and a storyboard-to-film comparison, this disc is highly recommended to film lovers of all stripes, but musical aficionados most especially. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide