What did you like about The Fiddler On The Roof?

Answer 1

I do agree with the person who wrote, "What was there NOT to like?" But, I do have some extra-special moments:
"If I Were a Rich Man"~(Chaim) Topol is wonderful from beginning to end, hands down my favorite character in this delightful, exuberant musical. In this one, he threatens to bring down the barn as he dances! What a wonderful voice this handsome man has! How odd that he didn't get to sing in other films. This was my father's favorite scene, and he always sang along with it, so that makes me smile especially big when I watch it.

"To Life!" is such a feel-good scene/number! "To life! To life! L'chai-im! L'chai-im, l'chai-im, to life! If you've been lucky, then Monday was No worse than Sunday was, Drink l'chai-im, to life!" The Jewish men dance, then there's that tense moment with the Russians~~then EVERYBODY dances and sings! If I am watching it on videotape, I rerun this a number of times before moving on.

I love the scene in which Tevye thinks the butcher wants to buy his cow~not ask for his daughter's hand in marriage. "She's only a little cow!" *giggle* I love scenes in which people have those at-odds conversations!

The Bottle Dancers are awe-inspiring, as is the music they dance to. This is another scene that I rerun several times. When they drop to their knees then start the leg out, drag forward dance move, with dust rising from the floor in clouds... I just get the shivers every time I see that! What an amazing scene, yet it's almost sepia-tone, with no bright colors~just the men in black, bottles on hats, and that music!

Those are the main moments I love though it's filled with such scenes as each girl finding her true love and speaking with her father. When Hodel is rejected by her father, I admit to sometimes crying, hurting for the two people who have reached a point where neither will yield. "Do You Love Me?" also is a sweet, funny song that seems very true-to-life.

I also have to mention the Fiddler on the Roof, the silent, skillfull musician who pops in occasionally and plays so wonderfully, thanks to Itzhak Perlman.

Answer 2

I have never seen Fiddler on the Roof without an actor on the roof playing his instrument. He may not actually be playing the music, but he's up there doing his thing not to mention at the end when Tevye is leaving Anatevka he does a bit of a dance with Tevye. It's iconic to say the least. Also, even though the Fiddler doesn't sing in that particular role, the Fiddler can double as an ensemble member a bottle dancer, any number of things so it's best if he is able to sing and dance. *Make sure you have a stage hand or two spotting the ladder, stairs, or means by which the fiddler is to reach the roof. It's often dark and many times fairly unsafe as it is. and it's orchestra. Sorry, but I'm a bit picky about that. I hope your director makes the right decision and has the Fiddler on the roof... but it needs to be done in a safe manner. break a leg!

Answer 3

i was actually in the play "fiddler on the roof" it was really fun. my favorite scene in both, the movie and play, was definitely the dream sequence. i loved the song. also in the play the wedding dance was awesome.

Answer 4

My favorite scenes were the two when the men dance, first in the bar with the Russians, then at the wedding with the bottles on their heads.

Answer 5

Everything about it. The music, the scenery, and Topol's portrayal of Tevye, especially.

Answer 6

The love he has for his family, friends, and village. And when he's shaking up dust in the" If I were a rich man" sequence I love that!

Answer 7

the music. the way Tevye talks to God. my favorite scene is when Tevye convinces Golde he's had the dream so his daughter doesn't have to marry the butcher, but can marry her sweetie instead.

Answer 8

Its always been about the music, for me."If I were a rich man," I close my eyes, and my dad is singing it, which he did quite often when he was alive.

Answer 9

What was there NOT to like?