Fiddler on the Roof1971Fiddler on the Roof
1971
In the Russian village of Anatevka in 1905, Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman, holds fast to tradition as his three eldest daughters choose husbands for themselves. Meanwhile the tsar's authorities press the Jews to leave.
The default: films the whole family can watch together; any scary or intense moments for the littlest viewers are flagged in the Context Notes.
Why it’s here
A devout father talks with God, loves his wife ("Do You Love Me?") and his daughters, and wrestles honestly with change. Faith and family under pressure.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
The daughters break with tradition: two ask his blessing for love matches, and Chava marries outside the faith without it; Tevye's grief is treated seriously, so it's a natural talk about honoring parents and faith in marriage. A pogrom wrecks a wedding, and Tevye gets drunk at a celebration.
Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- Why did tradition matter so much to Tevye?
- Why did Tevye bless two daughters but not Chava?
- What did "Do You Love Me?" show about Tevye and Golde?
- What did the village lose?
Content advisory
Common Sense Media 10+: religious persecution; soldiers vandalize a wedding and the town; drinking, including a drunken celebration and hangover.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
Fiddler on the Roof Blu-ray (40th Anniversary Edition)
Blu-ray · April 5, 2011
Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.