Greetings again from the darkness. Typically a documentary on an individual is either presented as a look back at their life or an observation of their lasting impact. Director Joseph Dorman provides both of these PLUS critical reviews and analysis of the writings of Sholem Aleichem, the writer whose work inspired Fiddler on the Roof. It is an absorbing look at who most would consider to be the most famous Yiddish writer and humorist. His work really bridged the gap between the old world Jews and the rapidly changing and evolving modernists from the turn of the 20th century.
At times the film plays like a classroom presentation for 8th graders in World History, but look closer and you’ll see many fascinating, rare photographs and video. There is even one bit of audio featuring Aleichem himself reading his own words. We also get Alan Rosenberg as the narrator and Peter Riegert as the voice of the other readings.
What makes this enthralling, interesting and educational are the terrific interviews with Yiddish experts, and the on camera presence of author Bel Kaufman, Aleichem’s granddaughter. There is no fluff or filler here. These people provide real insight and analysis and perspective on his life and writings. The photo montage of the funeral procession with 200,000 New Yorkers is a sight to behold.
Maybe you have read the original literary work “Tevye the Dairyman”. Perhaps you have seen the 1939 film Tevye. Maybe you were fortunate enough to have seen the original Broadway run of “Fiddler on the Roof”. Most likely you have seen the 1971 film musical with the great Topol (pictured, left) as Tevye. This film points out that the words and message of Aleichem have been twisted and shifted over the years, but there is no questioning the lasting impact and his determination to document … Tradition!
SEE THIS MOVIE IF: you have any interest at all in the historical journey of Jews from the 19th to the 20th Century OR you would like to see the foundation of the beloved musical Fiddler on the Roof
SKIP THIS MOVIE IF: historical perspective bores you and you prefer to just sing along to “If I Were a Rich Man”
watch the trailer:
Movie Reviews from the Dark 