“Fiddler On The Roof” is a musical based on the hit stage show of the same name and it is one of the greatest musicals ever made. It is a long film and at times, it feels rather uneventful but there is something so wondrous about it that I just could not resist it.

Set in Tsarist Russia, “Fiddler On The Roof” follows the life of a Jewish peasant by the name of Reb Tevye (Topol “Flash Gordon”). He is tasked with marrying off his three eldest daughters but as time goes on, he begins to feel the pressure of the growing anti-Semitic sentiment brewing in the nation.

Topol gives one of the most memorable performances in movie history as Reb Tevye. Tevye is a simple man that often discusses his life’s problems with God and he likes quoting the holy books to those around him and this allows him to create some of the finest humour ever put onscreen. It’s also interesting to see his gradual loss of control as his daughters marry a tailor, a Marxist and a goy, showing that there is a deeper emotional aspect to the character. Topol’s singing is terrific. The other actors all give good performance and the singing is all great.

The music is memorable, the humour is truly splendid, the film focuses on an interesting place and time in history and the Reb Tevye character is magnificent. If you like musicals and have never seen “Fiddler On The Roof” then you are missing out on one of cinema’s greatest gifts. I know many people can’t stand musicals (especially one that is so long) but I think “Fiddler On The Roof” is so good that it must be worth a try even for those that feel sure they won’t like it. The only thing I will warn people about is that there is much fiddling on rooftops for a film with such a title.