The fall of 2021 marked the 50th anniversary of Fiddler on the Roof, the film Pauline Kael (The New Yorker) called “the most powerful movie musical ever made.” Narrated by Jeff Goldblum, FIDDLER’S JOURNEY TO THE BIG SCREEN captures the humor and drama of director Norman Jewison’s quest to recreate the lost world of Jewish life in Tsarist Russia and re-envision the beloved stage hit as a wide-screen epic.
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Daniel Raim puts us in the director’s chair and in Jewison’s heart and mind, drawing on behind-the-scenes footage and never-before-seen stills as well as original interviews with Jewison, Topol (Tevye), composer John Williams, production designer Robert F. Boyle, film critic Kenneth Turan, lyricist Sheldon Harnick, and actresses Rosalind Harris, Michele Marsh, and Neva Small (Tevye’s daughters).
The film explores how the experience of making Fiddler deepened Jewison as an artist and revived his soul.
For thoughts on Fiddler’s Journey To The Big Screen, please check out my previous discussion here (around the 3:30 mark).
Video Quality
Fiddler’s Journey To The Big Screen comes to Blu-Ray from Zeitgeist Films and Kino Lorber with a stellar high definition master which presents this movie exactly as intended. This feature is primarily newer interviews along with older clips and pictures to help round out the story of the classic film. The talking head interview segments look incredibly crisp and sleek with natural skin tones and some very detailed facial features. Nearly all of the filming locations appear to be controlled, so there are not any grand swings or downturns in quality. The older footage from Fiddler On The Roof appears to be derived from the most recent scan it has been given. The colors featured in the footage have an amazing sense of deep nuance to them. The transfer does not feature anything in the way of compression artifacts or digital nuisances of the sort. This is such a treat to have in high definition.
Audio Quality
This Blu-Ray disc comes with both a DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 Master Audio track that captures every element perfectly. This is first and foremost an interview showcase with a cavalcade of talking heads to complement the vintage clips. Dialogue is the focus right up front in the center channel as you get these anecdotes relayed in a controlled environment. The enjoyable score and other musical moments from the film come through with a natural fidelity as it fills the room in a wonderful way. The surround sound presentation makes the space more three dimensional as the music embraces you. There were no digital anomalies or other issues spotted. This track is a stunner. There are optional English SDH subtitles provided.
Special Features
- The Man On Lincoln’s Nose: Daniel Raim’s 40-minute Oscar-nominated short film from 2000 about production designer Robert F. Boyle in which you learn about the man behind some of the most iconic sets ever made courtesy of individuals such as Norman Jewison.
- John Williams – Beyond The Notes: A six-minute extended interview with Williams in which he delves further into the construction of the score and orchestration for the film.
- Topol On Becoming Tevye: An additional three-minute extended interview with Topol in which he delves into the steps that lead him to playing his iconic character.
- Sheldon Harnick on “Sunrise, Sunset”: An additional five-minute extended interview with the lyricist in which he discusses the creation and themes of “Sunrise, Sunset.”
- Remembering Actress Norma Crane: A minute-long reflection on the life of the actress who played Golde by John Williams and Rosalind Harris.
- Remembering Actor Leonard Frey: A two-minute reflection of the actor who played Motel by Rosalind Harris and Neva Small.
- Film Researcher Lillian Michelson On Undergarments Used In Fiddler: A two-minute piece with Michelson in which she speaks to the research she conducted for the sake of authenticity.
- Trailers: The two-minute trailer for Fiddler’s Journey To The Big Screen is provided here. There is also a trailer provided for Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story.
Final Thoughts
Fiddler’s Journey To The Big Screen is not a groundbreaking documentary in form or content, but it is one that is immensely satisfying. To get such well-rounded accounts of the making of one of the greatest musicals of all time is a real gift. The presentation never drags at any point while also never feeling like it is breezing past particularly important moments. This is the type of documentary that will feel like a warm hug for firmly established fans of Fiddler On The Roof, and an inspiration to seek out the film for those who have not seen it in a long time or maybe have not seen it at all. Zeitgeist Films and Kino Lorber have released a Blu-Ray featuring a great A/V presentation and some rock solid special features. The film feels like an especially well-made bonus feature you might find on a deluxe Fiddler On The Roof release, but it is worth seeking out if it sounds interesting to you in the slightest. Recommended
Fiddler’s Journey To The Big Screen is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and Digital.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Zeitgeist Films and Kino Lorber have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.