Had watched it a few (ok, like 8 or 9) years ago before an audition, and just rented it again to watch (for a future audition!)...
wow, is this movie slow. (compared to the stage show)

Maybe I'm just a victim of the modern fast-paced, action-packed movie styles, but it literally took almost 2 hours of the movie to get to the end of Act 1. sheesh.

What is your opinion of the film? (actors, cinematography, etc.)

I loved it, but I've never seen the stage version/did think it was a bit long.

I got one of my best friends obsessed with it's version "If I were a rich man" and she refuses to listen to any other recording minus that one.

It is a very good version!

Topol is the Tevye all others are judged but. He's brillaint. He also starring the OLC and 2 revials.

Topol is the ONLY Tevye, in my opinion. Mostel was good, but he was too New York for my tastes.
As for the others, Norma Crane (Golde) was brilliant, Leonard Frey (Motel) was not. The rest were very good. The pace doesn't bother me because I love it so much, and the orchestrations are stunning.

[quote="Brigantine"]

wow, is this movie slow. (compared to the stage show)

[/quote]

That's why there's the multi=speed Fast Forward button. You could probably watch the whole thing in 20 mins if you find the original too slow.

Leonard Frey was wonderful as motel. he got an Oscar nod too. and yes nporma Crane was wonderful..both of them died way too young.

and of course the Great Molly picon was perfection as Yente.

Ha! I just watched this today.

I agree on how slow it seems to drag on forever and I didn't even get to finish act 1 but it's a really great adaption. I adore Topol.

The film version of Fiddler on the Roof is fantastic, both as an adaptation and as a film in its own right. Its pace and length fall in line with the stage show and you can't have a problem with one without having a problem with the other. I wish I had the special edition on DVD. Mine is so light on extras!

Later days
David

but...

I've been in the stage show and I'm pretty sure it wasn't 3 hours long. (film is 181 minutes) Maybe close with intermission, but still... ?? I don't understand the statement that " Its pace and length fall in line with the stage show". I'd say that's highly subjective and I didn't have that experience.

It just seems like there are unnecessarily long pauses in between lines and phrases. which I guess is just a result of the acting choices. and of course there are lots of extra 'scenery' bits in the movie that aren't in a stage show, wide camera shots, taking the tour of the town, (the REALLY long shots of everyone packing and leaving) etc. It all adds up and stretches it out just a bit too far for my taste.

Of course the performances by the cast are phenomenal. Really enjoyed Topol. The only think I didn't like was Golde singing so low.

The movie is fast compared to the show when we did it.

there were so many unneccessary pauses in the packing scene...and it was really drawn out. I was Hodel so I didn't really mind. When I was Tzeitel we just ended it at Anatevka in a Les Miz fashion (i know it was pretty bad) so it seemed pretty quick.

i think it really depends on the director and his/her vision for the pacing. In general I think the stage show goes by quicker but maybe that's just because I was in it. It is one of the longer shows.

anyway I agree that Topol is the definitive Tevye and the performances were great!!!! I think as a film it is beautiful and brings a different kind of quality to fiddler than is seen in the stage show (as all good musical movies should).

anyway good luck on your audition you'll do great!!!!

I've seen this show live a number of times and worked on it once. If you do everything that's in the script, its basically three hours long and an eight o'clock curtain means you're only out of there by eleven at the earliest.

Later days
David