Fiddler on the Roof (2004 Broadway Revival Cast)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (08 June, 2004)
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Editorial Review

It is difficult but possible to put your stamp on a role closely identified with a particular performer. Just look at Bernadette Peters taking on Mama Rose in Gypsy or Patti LuPone tackling Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd. Alfred Molina had a similar challenge when he signed on to play the Jewish dairyman Tevye: who could forget Zero Mostel in the original production or even Topol in the movie? Molina wisely plays the part down, steering clear of Mostel's hamming, but then he goes overboard in the other direction and too often his characterization is colorless rather than subtle. This actually applies to David Leveaux's overall production, which lacks energy. This recording is mostly for completists, and the original cast album still stands as the definitive one. --Elisabeth Vincentelli ... Read more

Features

• Cast Recording

Reviews (14)

Fiddler On The Roof Revival
Although Fiddler on the Roof is NOT one of my favorite musicals, after being cast in the show I went out and bought this cast recording. The talent of this cast is extraordinary - even though it does not sound like the traditional Fiddler should sound. Standout numbers on this recording include TRADITION, MATCHMAKER, TO LIFE, and my favorite TEVYE'S DREAM. In TEVYE'S DREAM, Joy Hermalyn (Fruma Sarah) is off the wall making her the best Fruma Sarah of all time. Her insane vocals bring a whole new sound to the role. After TEVYE'S DREAM the show is quite a downer and the music is not as good as in the first half. Overall this recording is the best one to date of this classic show.

Reliving the Play
I was lucky enough to see one of the last few performances with Alfred Molina in the revival cast.He was amazing, and in fact the entire cast was amazing.Listening to the Broadway cast revival recording brings back the magical experience of the play back to life.I highly recommend seeing the play, which now stars Harvey Fierstein (from Hairspray) as well as purchasing the recording.

It wowed me almost as much as the first time
I first saw "Fiddler on the Roof" in 1969 as a teenager sitting in the fourth row (my father insisted on getting good seats - we didn't go to the theater that often).Playing cello in my high school's orchestra, seeing the orchestra pit was almost as big a thrill as seeing the show up close.In retrospect, one of the bigger thrills of the night was seeing Bette Midler as Hodel, the oldest daughter.I had already familiar with the music, my family (a few generations back) had lived most elements of the story and even 35 years later, the memory of the show, which had already gone through many cast changes, is still very precious to me.

My wife and I took our 8-year-old son to see it because his camp had done the show this past summer.This performance stands up well to my memory of 1969, although it does not shine quite as bright: while Alfred Molina proves himself to be a worthy Tevye, it is clear that he is lacking in the Yiddishe neshama (Jewish soul) that Zero Mostel, Herschel Bernardi and Topol brought to it.And the new song, Topsy Turvy, is not up to par with the other material that was included in the show.

Overall, the cast was great, the singing a total delight.I think that it compares well with the original recording.But this revival includes a memory that is priceless to my family, meeting Randy Graff, who played Golde after the show; she and I were classmates at Isaac Bildersee JHS in Brooklyn, and my son got her autograph. ... Read more

Asin: B00023GFYK
Subjects:  1. Music Theater    2. Pop    3. Showtunes / B'way   

Fiddler on the Roof (Deluxe Edition) (1964 Original Broadway Cast)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (03 June, 2003)
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Editorial Review

Fiddler on the Roof is one of Broadway's great classics. Based on the tales of Sholem Aleichem, the musical tells the humorous and heartbreaking story of the milkman Tevye as he tries to maintain the simplicities of his traditional life even as his daughters grow up and Russia heads toward revolution. Many of Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick's songs have become touchstones of popular culture, including "Tradition," "If I Were a Rich Man," and "Sunrise, Sunset." As Tevye, Zero Mostel leads--and at times dominates--the original 1964 Broadway cast, displaying irrepressible swagger and bluster. A young Julia Migenes plays his middle daughter, Hodel, while those who only know Bert Convy as a game-show host will be surprised by his pleasant voice as her suitor. The CD includes two previously unreleased songs but no lyrics. --David Horiuchi ... Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (22)

This recording redeemed the show for me
After seeing a lethally abysmal community theater production of Fiddler on the Roof, I went through the next several years bearing a dormant but definite hatred toward the show.However, after listening to the original cast recording - as I am doing even as I write this review - the show has been almost entirely redeemed in my mind.No small feat.

Zero Mostel, of course, carries the show.He is wonderful.That is pretty much all there is to say.After that he must be heard.The voices of his family are uniformly unpleasant, although that of Julia Migenes (as second-oldest daughter Hodel) is commendably penetrating.That said, it works for the songs.It isn't as though the performers didn't have a choice.They clearly have range, or they wouldn't have been cast in the first place! Some of them are downright terrific.The actress playing Grandmother Tzeitel, a small role (she only sings in Tevye's dream sequence) is particularly striking.Absolutely, astonishingly wonderful is Austin Pendleton as Motel in his lone number, "Miracle of Miracles".This performance I would listen to over and over again on its own.Remarkable.

Last but not least, there is Bert Convy as Perchik.(Yes, THE Bert Convy of "Tattle Tales" fame!) His performance is remarkable too.Quite a step away from the Game Show Network.

All of the numbers are worth a listen, or two, or three.

Good Musical...Not-So-Good Recording
I love the musical Fiddler on the Roof...but this recording wasn't too impressive. The singing quality isn't really that great...it often sounds like the performers are screaming or off key. What I do like about this album is the fact that it includes all the songs from the musical. The songs I enjoy the most from this album are "If I Were A Rich Man," "To Life," "The Dream," "Sunrise, Sunset," and "The Rumor." Overall, this album is ok...it's worth a listen.

wonderful, heartfelt and entertaining!
If only they had made a video recording of this wonderful, successful tour de force production, starring the legendary Zero Mostel, as Tevye the dairyman(you might know him as Max Bialystock in "The Producers" and also in "The Front"--a wondeful comedian and engaging actor).Everytime I hear this recording, I can SEE the performers singing, dancing and bickering in my imagination.This soundtrack definitely brings you into Anatevka, a peasant village in Russia.Tevye, a god fearing man with three young daughters he wants to marry off, is having real trouble deciding on the proper husbands for them because the young women prove perfectly capable of making the decision for themselves.

Not only are great, well-loved songs like "Tradition," "Matchmaker," "If I Were a Rich Man," and "Sunrise, Sunset," on this special "Broadway Deluxe Collector's Edition" album, but there are bonus songs and commentary from Sheldon Harnick, the lyicist for the numerous wonderful tunes.Definitely entertaining and educational!I really wish they had kept "When Messiah Comes," (the lyrics are hysterical!) "How Much Richer Could One Man Be?" (a beautiful song written for Perchik, a young student who courts Tevye's daughter, Hodel).Also, you must listen to Vladimir Spivakov's masterful violin interpretation of "If I Were a Rich Man"--it will bring tears to your eyes.

This is the original cast, and, in my opinion, the best!The singing, acting and music is top notch and everyone should listen to this.I guarantee that even if you aren't a big fan of musicals, you will come to love "Fiddler on the Roof" and even find yourself humming these popular songs for days after you have first heard the soundtrack! ... Read more

Asin: B000099SZ2
Subjects:  1. Miscellaneous    2. Music Theater    3. Musicals    4. Pop    5. Show Tunes    6. Showtunes / B'Way    7. Soundtrack    8. Vocal   

Fiddler on the Roof (Special Edition)
Director: Norman Jewison
Average Customer Review:
DVD (02 October, 2001)
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Editorial Review

This rousing musical, based on the stories of Shalom Aleichem, takes place in pre-revolutionary Russia and centers on the life of Tevye (Topol), a milkman who is trying to keep his family's traditions in place while marrying off his three older daughters. Yet, times are changing and the daughters want to make their own matches, breaking free of many of the constricting customs required of them by Judaism. In the background of these events, Russia is on the brink of revolution and Jews are feeling increasingly unwelcome in their villages. Tevye--who expresses his desire for sameness in the opening number, "Tradition"--is trying to keep everyone, and everything, together. The movie is strongly allegorical--Tevye represents the common man--but it does it dexterously, and the resulting film is a stunning work of art. The music is excellent (it won Oscars for the scoring and the sound), with plenty of familiar songs such as "Sunrise, Sunset" and "If I Were a Rich Man," which you'll be humming long after the movie is over. Isaac Stern's violin--he provides the music for the fiddler on the roof--is hauntingly beautiful. And despite the serious subject matter, the film is quite comedic in parts; it also well deserves the Oscar it won for cinematography. --Jenny Brown ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Widescreen
• Dolby

Reviews (102)

excellent
You've got to admit, for a movie made in yougoslovia, this is really good.
It's about the progromes that the jews were exposed to towards the end of the czarist era in russia.
excellent musical, highly reccommended.

Bringing Down The "Roof"
"Somethings will never change" Tevye (Topol) shouts at one of his daughters when he finds out she wants to marry a man who is not Jewish. And that line is really the basis of the film. "Fiddler on the Roof" is a story about where does tradition fit in a new modern world. As the times change, must our beliefs? But we can't abandon everything, because to do so would cause a void in our moral life, whatever that is. We need some sort of structure, some sort of guidlines to live by.

Actually that description makes "Fiddler on the Roof" sound like a very serious movie. Well in fact it is. The musical aspect of the film though drowns that out. I think the same thing happen with a film like "Cabaret". Here we have two musicals that take on some very serious subjects; traditional values and Nazis, and adds music to them. What happens in the end is most people just walk away humming the songs not fully knowing what the film was trying to say.

But if people do just walk away humming the songs does that mean the movie did a poor job of explaining what it is about? I don't think so. "Fiddler on the Roof" explains itself rather frankly. It doesn't hide behind its songs. And even the songs explain the film's theme. Take a song like "Tradition" for example.

Many people by now know that this movie was based on a hig stage play and when released as a film was met with equal enjoyment by fans of the stage work. What some may not know is director Norman Jewison did not want to direct this film when first asked. He thought the producers were only asking him to direct it because they thought he was Jewish. When he explained to them he's not, they said we know, that's exactly why we want you to direct it.

Jewison has directed some very good films including the Oscar winner "In the Heat of the Night" and "The Thomas Crown Affair", and some of his recent films have been quite entertaining, "The Hurricane" and "The Statement".

"Fiddler on the Roof", according to my father, who is a musican, is the greatest musical Hollywood ever made. And the songs are memorable. My favorite is "Sunrise, Sunset" and almost everyone likes "If I Were A Rich Man".

I think it's too bad this didn't win "best picture" when released. It lost to "The French Connection". Here would have been my choice for the best film of the year.

Bottom-line: Besides having a great musical score "Fiddler on the Roof" has some serious things to say. It is a wonderful film.

One of the best musicals ever made
"Fiddler on the Roof" is one of the best films ever made. It is a musical with wonderful songs, but at the same time, it is so much more. First and foremost, it is a film about family ties, values, and conflicts. It is a film about love. It is a historical film. It is very funny, very witty, and very sad, all at the same time. I laughed, and then I cried. It has memorable characters: Haim Topol, who played Tevya the milkman on the stage in London, is made for the role, and has become identified with it. He portrays an authoritative, yet sympathetic father, and he is the source of many witty and very funny comments about life. Just to give you a few examples: "Would it spoil some vast eternal plan / If I were a wealthy man?" or "A bird may love a fish, but where will they build a house together?" or in attempting to explain how a certain tradition began, "I'll tell you. I don't know."

Norma Crane is equally wonderful in playing Tevye's wife. Life has not been good to her, and this shows, and she has never experienced romantic love. It takes 25 years to realize that she loves Tevye, to whom she was married through the matchmaker. But she is a good, loving,forgiving mother, and a devoted wife.

There are other memorable characters, such as Yente the matchmaker, Lazer Wolf the butcher, and Mottel the tailor. The three eldest daughters are beautiful and dream of a great match. Their song, "Matchmaker," is one of the best songs ever written for a musical. Going contrary to tradition, each of them foregoes the services of the matchmaker and marries out of love, even if the price is poverty, suffering, or banishment from the family.

The first part of the film focuses on ordinary everyday life in the village of Anatevka. The second part dramatizes a dark page of history, as the village Jews first suffer a pogrom, and are eventually driven out of their village at the orders of the czar. Some of them head for America, others for the Holy Land, but some move to a different part of Russia or to Poland, and we cannot supress the knowledge that this is a very sad ending indeed, as we know that they and their children will end up in Nazi concentration camps.

The film is replete with humour, wit, love, and great songs, among which "Tradition" (accompanied by wonderfully clever film shots, "Matchmaker," "If I Were a Rich Man," "To life," "Sunrise, Sunset," "Anatevka," some merry, some hearbreaking, all utterly enjoyable and touching.
Pay attention to the opening shot of the film, it is absolutely brilliant. The cinematography is splendid, the colours are strong and fresh. The locations are beautiful and faithfully recreate village life.

The second disc is replete with information, such as a documentary on the shooting of "Fiddler," on location in Yougoslavia, in 1971, which is excellent and in parts brought me to tears, as the director talked about the historical context of the film; a shorter interview with the director, Norman Jewison, reminiscing about the making of this film (by the way, he recounts that the producers at MGM thought he was Jewish, because of his name, and were surprised to learn that he is actually Christian); authentic period photographs; the director reading from two stories by Shalom Aleichem; a deleted song, "Any Day Now," which I regretted they deleted; posters, trailers and TV spots.

I really urge you to buy this DVD, it is a film you will constantly love to rewatch, and to which you cannot remain indifferent. You will laugh, cry, be entertained, as well as deeply touched. It is one of my most treasured DVD acquisitions, and one that will never lose its grip. I had seen it on TV several times before, and I still wanted to purchase it so as to be able to return to it time and again.
... Read more

Asin: B00005N7YZ
Subjects:  1. Musical   

Fiddler on the Roof [30th Anniversary Edition]
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (09 October, 2001)
list price: $16.98 -- our price: $13.99
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Editorial Review

This new version of the Fiddler on the Roof soundtrack coincides with the movie's 30th anniversary (which is also celebrated by a special edition DVD). The CD is notable for several instrumental tracks by John Williams, as well as for "Any Day Now," a previously unreleased song performed by Perchik/Paul Michael Glaser (better known for his starring role in TV's Starsky and Hutch). The soundtrack is often compared unfavorably with the original 1964 cast album, in which Zero Mostel played the part of Tevye (here performed by Topol, who had been in the 1967 London production). But this CD has a lot going for it, including glossy remastering and, of course, Isaac Stern as the fiddler. In the end, whatever version you decide to pick up, Fiddler remains one of the most enduring musicals of all time.--Elisabeth Vincentelli ... Read more

Features

• Extra tracks
• Original recording remastered
• Soundtrack

Reviews (11)

Liked the movie, loved the songs!
Aside from the fact that I loved the movie, most of that came from loving the songs on the movie. I got to a place where I wanted to hear them a lot, but didn't want to skip around on the movie to find the song I wanted to hear. So I bought this soundtrack. It was well worth it.
From the intro song "Tradition" to "If I Were a Rich Man" to "Sunrise, Sunset", this CD has music that is absolutely gorgeous. If you loved the movie, I recommend getting the soundtrack.

Excellent overall
The "Fiddler on the Roof" film has a terrific reputation, and deservedly so-the casting was excellent, and it shines through on this recording, both in subtle nuances and changes and in larger, more noticeable things, such as added musical numbers. At a couple points I was disappointed at the omissions of some parts-a handful of lines scattered through, as well as a number from the original, "The Rumor"-but those weaknesses aren't sufficient to lower the rating I give it.

What a great soundtrack....
This gem of a soundtrack is truly one which lives up to the expectations of those who have seen the amazing film of "Fiddler on the Roof".

It encaptures all the emotions the viewer encounters in the film, and conveys them near-perfecly onto this perfect example of a motion picture soundtrack

If you want my opinion, if you are into generally upbeat, 'old danse' style music, or are a fan of Klezmer or Hassidic music, you should immediately buy this CD - money well spent!
... Read more

Asin: B00005OB07
Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Film Music    3. Music Theater    4. Orchestral    5. Original Score    6. Pop    7. Soundtrack    8. Soundtracks    9. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Fiddler on the Roof (1967 Original London Cast)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (20 March, 2001)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $11.98
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Features

• Cast Recording
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (2)

Gross
I think just be looking at the cover, you can tell how rough this looks. Topal's poytrayal as Tevia dosn't help it. This is a very dark, quit version of Fiddler and the bonus tracks will scare the ever living flesh out of your kids. The early sketch for the dream was very very upsetting. Now I can't go to sleep at night because of this recording. Everything after the dream is just dissapointing and I don't blame the muscial because that is good but this is bad. The bonus tracks are just tracks you'd hear at a Halloween party. Not on an Original London cast recording. Seriously, the tracks at the end are very very scary. Do not buy.

I reccomend the American recordings. [The original Broadway and the New Broadway cast recordings].

Now I Have Everything...
What is it about Fiddler on the Roof that makes it such an enduring and breathtaking masterpiece? Is it the charming and very unusual plot line coupled with the delightful music and the moving lyrics, or is it something more?...What FOTR really is is a character musical; every archetypical jewish and Russian figure is embodied in this piece. It is impossible not to love and laugh over delightful figures like Tevye, Golde, Yente, Motel...i could go on and on. It is this endearing quality that has made FOTR the timeless classic that it is...other musicals are breathtaking or touching or hilarious...this musical is all of those things and much more. While I would not go as far as to say that it is my favorite musical, I cannot deny it the credit it undoubtedly deserves. For those who have never seen it performed,I heartily reccomend the excellent film, for those who have and who want to bring the music into their homes, this is the recording for you. By all means buy the broadway recording as well but do not overlook this one which is in my opinion infinetly superior. Zero Mostel was certainly an extremely talented performer, (A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum testifies to the fact) but he does not have that utterly perfect Israeli/Yiddish flair which Topol brings to the role. Also, the extracts that i have heard from the broadway recording are slow; they do not capture the intensity of the piece as well as this one does, and several members of the cast simply cannot do justice to the songs in the way that the London cast members can. Topol's If I Were A Rich Man and his duet with Lazar Wolf(Paul Whitsun-Jones) To Life! cannot be beaten and the full company songs (Tradition, Tevye's Dream, Sunrise, Sunset amd Anatevka) are equally brilliant. The younger cast members occasionally have trouble with their songs but they still provide sweeter more vibrant moments to those on the Broadway recoding. Miracle of Miracles and Far from the Home I love are especially good. Even if i have not been able to convince you that this CD is your best option, buy one recording of the score at least; I am certain that you will not regret it. ... Read more

Asin: B00005ARE2
Sales Rank: 44399
Subjects:  1. Music Theater    2. Musicals    3. Pop    4. Showtunes / B'way   

Fiddler on the Roof [Bonus Tracks]
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (20 May, 2003)
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Features

• Extra tracks

Reviews (5)

A new Tradition!
I'd never heard of this album until I heard a clip serving as a bumper for a radio story on the Broadway revival. This album is a wonderful interpretation of music I've know well for ages. Since Broadway musicals and jazz music are considered our most 'american' art forms, it's wonderful to see them mixed this way.

To address the reviewer that didn't like the audio mix, my sound system is probably several degrees lower than his, but the cd sounded great to me.

L'chai-im, l'chai-im, to Cannonball!
Fiddler On the Roof has always been my most favorite musical. I've watched it trillion times and I just adore everything about it. In addition to this I'm a true jazz fan, I adore the sound of the sax and I like Cannonball very much. So it's a "can't get any better" kind of CD to me. Cannonball's true genious takes you to another world.. The songs are great.. What's not to like?! Well, for one thing he didn't play "If I Were a Rich Man". That could have made the recording perfect. After all isn't that the most famous song of the musical?
But it includes my favorite, "To Life" and Cannonball plays it totally wonderful.
If you like jazz and/or the musical itself You have to own this CD.

Great playing, poor mix
I have fond recollections of this LP from many years ago, but I am dissappointed in the CD. Sure the playing is great but the mix is absolutely terrible...flute too loud, flute too soft, drums too loud, drums too soft, leaky embouchure front and center on the ballads.The LP had a smoother sound, and the group sounded like they meshed.This sounds like 6 guys playing in different rooms.I am sure the original tapes were not of the highest quality, but they should have been left alone. ... Read more

Asin: B000093U3V
Sales Rank: 84310
Subjects:  1. Hard Bop    2. Jazz    3. Pop    4. Soul-Jazz   

Sings Fiddler on the Roof/Show Stopper
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (08 October, 2002)
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Reviews (1)

the best fiddler score
Herschelis the best singer for the score to this play.You will not be disapointed by this. ... Read more

Asin: B00006LSQY
Sales Rank: 113387
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Pop Vocals   

Knitting on the Roof
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (16 November, 1999)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $18.98
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Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (11)

Bryce loves the Residents
The Residents continue to prove their absurdist genius.When you listen to the song, always remember:these guys are in tuxedos and top hats with a giant eyeball inbetween.Does it get any better than that?
No!

review
simply simple. perfectly wrong. don't review unless you are actually breathing.

Diamonds and swine
I got this CD on a whim, and initially disliked almost every
song. Eventually, I dug it back out, and came to like several
of the songs, although there are several that are pretty bad.
Tradition is unlistenable, Matchmaker dances around the
'right' notes, never touching them, and thus perhaps worth a listen.
If I were a Rich Man is quite nice and strange, sung in
a very low, flat voice. Sabbath Prayer is beautiful, once one gets
past the intro. To Life is just a jumble.
Miracle of Miracles is a mediocre guitar/vocal rendition of the song. not particularly pleassant or unpleasant.
Tevye's Dream is an amusing hip-hop remix of the original song.
Sobule's rendition of Sunrise/Sunset is incredible, and is the
song that prompted me to dig the CD back out. It might be worth
buying the CD for this song alone.
Wedding Celebration is an uninteresting interpretation
of the original, with a spacey new-age intro, and the more
faithful innards of the song still being far inferior to the
original.
Do you Love Me is a funny, modern interpretation of the song
and situation. It's more spoken comedy than music.
Far from the Home I love reminds one of a persistant fly that
needs to be swatted but is too fast to be caught.
Chava is ok, but its pace is too slow.
Anatevka is atmospheric music, mildly pleasant, but bears little
resemblance to the original song. ... Read more

Asin: B00002EQ8M
Sales Rank: 155606
Subjects:  1. Avant-Garde    2. Avant-Garde Jazz    3. Experimental    4. Fusion    5. Pop    6. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    7. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Tevyes Daughters: Collected Stories of Sholom Aleichem
by Sholem Aleichem Frances Butwin
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 November, 1999)
list price: $22.00 -- our price: $22.00
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Reviews (3)

Interesting Yiddish literature but..
Sholem Aleichem's collected stories titled "Teyve's Daughters" has a few interesting things to say about Jews and their lives, but it reads a bit awkwardly, and well..Teyve is only in about a third of the stories.The rest is totally unrelated to Teyve and his seven daughters.The Teyve chapters are among the best, with the dairyman helping his daughters in spite of his notions of being rich.He loves his daughters, and becomes estranged from one of his daughters, Chava, for marrying a gentle.

Good stories but...
I was disapointed that the book had much less to do with Tevye's daughters than the title led me to believe.

Tevye's Daughters Meaningful Now As It Was Then
Most of the stories were written by Sholem Aleichem in the early 1900's.They are about Tevye, the dairyman and his daughters and Jewish life in a small town in Russia.Some of the stories became the basis of"Fiddler on the Roof". The very best story is "Chava"about his daughter who marries out of the faith.It is a realtea-jerker."Modern Children" and "Hodel" will also hithome, today.This book gives the reader a picture of what it was like tolive in a small town in Russia, as a Jew, one hundred years ago.SholemAleichem writes in a clear, easy to read style, with compassion andunderstanding of human emotions. The translation is an excellent one. Amust read for young and old even if you are not Jewish. ... Read more

Isbn: 1929068034
Sales Rank: 414141
Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Literary    4. Short Stories (single author)   

Tevye
Director: Maurice Schwartz
Average Customer Review:
VHS Tape (01 August, 1999)
list price: $72.00 -- our price: $72.00
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Features

• Black & White
• Restored
• Subtitled
• Original recording remastered
• Collector's Edition
• NTSC

Reviews (2)

BEFORE "FIDDLER", THERE WAS "TEVYE ... AND DONE BETTER!
Frankly speaking, I was amazed --- no, stunned! ---to learn that twenty-five years before FIDDLER ON THE ROOF was born on the Broadway stage and thirty-two years before the film version of FIDDLER was conceived there was actually a sound film adapted from the "Tevye the Dairyman" stories of Sholem Aleichem ... and after viewing this classic (yes, I said CLASSIC!) film, I have to say that it's as good as and in some aspects BETTER that it's color musical counterpart .... and done for far less money (it was shot on a potato farm on Long Island for $70,000)!I'm even amazed to admit that this version (shot in black-and-white and spoken entirely in Yiddish) is closer to the original Aleichem stories than the musical!Maurice Schwartz (who wrote the screenplay, directed and stars as "Tevye") has pared down the plot (and a great deal of the characters in the Tevye stories [in this version, he only has two daughters, Tzeitl and Chava] to focus primarily on the "Chava" and "Lekh-Lekho (Get Thee Out)" stories but has included aspects from other "Tevye" stories to create a wonderfully engrossing film experience.His "Tevye" has none of the qualities that distinguished Zero Mostel, Topol, Herschel Bernardi, Theodore Bikel or any of the other musical "Tevye"'s, but is instead more human and more quietly dignified in the face of both the thinly-disguised prejudices of the Russian villagers and the tragedies that befall him, not the least of which is Chava's deserting the family to marry outside the faith (for info about the other disasters, you have to see the film or read the stories). Mr. Schwartz also brings a great deal of natural humor to his "Tevye", especially in the scenes where he scolds his poor old horse for not getting up and where he teaches his grandson the psalms. Miriam Riselle brings a lot of emotion to the role of "Chava" (her struggle between family and love really grabs the viewer), and both Rebecca Weintraub and Paula Lubelski are delightful as "Golde" and "Tzeitl" respectively, but it's Vicki Marcus as "Shloimele" (Tevye's grandson) and Betty Marcus as "Perele" (Tevye's granddaughter) who steal the show!Leon Liebgold is handsome and languid enough as "Fyedka" and Julius Adler is both dignified and menacing as "Aleksei the Priest". The only thing I have to complain about in this film is the ending, which I will not go into for the sake of anyone who has not read the stories or wants to see this film, but I'm sure that Mr. Schwartz had his reasons for filming this ending the way he did.

All in all and not to be too long-winded about it, this film should be considered a must for any serious FIDDLER or Sholem Aleichem fan, and while you may not be singing any hit songs after watching TEVYE you'll find your heart singing along with Maurice Schwartz and his fantastic cast!

Lost World
What a treat! Maurice Schwartz enhanced this low budget flick with visionary glimpses of Jewish tradition and wisdom, Yiddish mannerism, and old world aesthetic. Most poignantly, this Yiddish theater presentation captures a world that was on the cusp of extermination in 1939. For me, born in 1964 America, it is a priceless archive. Of course, the story is a timeless winner for anyone. ... Read more

Asin: 1585870536
Sales Rank: 48576
Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Religion    3. Special Interests    4. Religious   

Fiddler on the Roof: Vocal Selections
by Jerry Bock Sy Feldman
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 July, 1999)
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Reviews (2)

One of the very best books I have ever read.
This is one of the best sttories I havde ever read. It is about a Jewish community in rural Russia trying to keep their traditional way of life durring thee russian revolution. I think the characters are very realistic and I think this story is one of the most imaginative books in the world. I esspecially like the way Tevye makes up quotaations from the Bible in order to teach his children a lesson. I also find the way the entire town of Anatevka acts. In short, i hearttilly recomend this book to anyone who likes a good story that is funny and an exiting read.

A classic
This is wonderful music from a classical musical ... Read more

Isbn: 0897243218
Sales Rank: 379246
Subjects:  1. Excerpts    2. General    3. Genres & Styles - Musicals    4. Instruction & Study - Voice    5. Music    6. Musicals    7. Songbooks - General    8. Vocal scores with piano   

Fiddler on the Roof : Based on Sholom Aleichem's Stories
by Joseph Stein Jerry Bock Sheldon Harnick
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 August, 2004)
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Reviews (4)

Wonderful story of history, traditions and values.
I loved reading Fiddler on the Roof because of how the characters came alive in my mind. Several of the characters' actions and personalities reminded me of my family members. The theme is univeral: How do parents instill their traditions and values in their children in an constantly changing world? The protagonist, Tevye, tries to instill in his daughters his values and traditions in an increasinly violent world. As the world becomes more modernized and industrial, Tevye and the villagers start to lose some of their traditions. The story is the epitome of the Jewish struggle and persecution they have faced throughout history. Fiddler on the Roof is a must read for the young and old for its lessons about life are profound.

Shalom Aleichem
Shalom Aleichem was for modern Jewish literature what Mark Twain was for American literature.In one for instance, Aleichem like Twain was the writer's own appropriation.Mark Twain originally was a sounding phrase used by riverboat operators.Shalom Aleichem -- also a sounding phrase -- is used in Jewish communities to welcome eachother and in congregation the bride of the sabbath itself.Both Twain and Aleichem created indelible unforgettable stories with indelible unforgettable characters...like Tevye.And whether you found Tevye through Topol, Mostel or Shalom Aleichem's turn of the century stories themselves, you saw not only a mirror held to the Jewish Everyman but a template for the better inside us all.I like to think that Shalom Aleichem, who died in 1916 would have gladly approved of the appropriation of his character Tevye in this wonderful celebration of life.In my opinion what makes this particular story such a great celebration of life is not that it shrinks from depicting life's sometimes harsh realities, but rather one's ability to overcome them through faith, family and a recognition of the inherent beauty of life.After seeing Tevye in action, his simple eloquence, his love for his family, his courage, his humanness, you can't rightly help yourself from feeling a shared sense of appreciation for life.
La chaim, to life.In all languages, hope sounds just as good.

TRADITION!
The first thing you have to realize is that this book is better performed than read. The amazing writing style makes you want to read it to the end. I recommend this book 100% to anybody that is interested in reading about a crazy village, a crazy family, a crazy man, an ofcourse a crazy tradition. ... Read more

Isbn: 0879101369
Sales Rank: 187835
Subjects:  1. General    2. Genres & Styles - Musicals    3. Librettos    4. Musical librettos    5. Musicals    6. Performing Arts    7. Performing Arts/Dance    8. Plays / Drama    9. Theater - General    10. Performing Arts / Theater / General   

Fiddler on the Roof: Vocal Score
by Jerry Bock
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 July, 1999)
list price: $75.00 -- our price: $47.25
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Reviews (2)

Fiddler On The Roof
It was a great story. I recomend it to everyone. It tells about how the Jews go through there life with all maragies. It's a sweet book.

Tradition, Tradition, Tradition!
Fiddler on the Roof is in my opinion the best thing to ever to hit broadway. Joseph Stein has combined comedy and heartbreak in an inspiring story about Tevye, a humble Russian Jew, living in opressing times in Russia and his struggle to hold on to his tradition and the love of hisfamily. ... Read more

Isbn: 0897241096
Sales Rank: 350418
Subjects:  1. General    2. Genres & Styles - Musicals    3. Instruction & Study - Voice    4. Music    5. Songbooks - General   

Zero Dances: A Biography of Zero Mostel
by Arthur Sainer
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (01 November, 1997)
list price: $30.00 -- our price: $30.00
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Reviews (1)

Great subject, horribly written
Much less a bio than an ego trip for the author.Forum is reduced to about 2 pages in the book.How did this ever get published?Skip it and look for another bio on Mostel. ... Read more

Isbn: 0879100966
Sales Rank: 1450725
Subjects:  1. 1915-1977    2. Actors    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Comedy    7. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Theatre    8. Mostel, Zero,    9. United States    10. Mostel, Zero