This is the last version of Fiddler on the Roof that you need to buy. This is because Fox has provided every single thing fans of this 1971 film adaptation of the Broadway musical could want. First off, the transfer from the original source over to the Blu-Ray format has been done masterfully, blending a slightly dark print with a stunningly sharp (for the age) focus. The audio is the only thing that stands out further than the video; there is a clarity present that will open viewers’ eyes (ears, actually) in a way that no other version will.
While a great segment of the society has already seen the film, the presence of the release’s numerous featurettes will provide additional context even to those that are veterans. The commentary, cobbled together between Norman Jewison (the director) and Chaim Topol (Tevye) is a time machine into the creative process behind Fiddler on the Roof, while the split-screen dream sequence (divided into desaturated and color sides) is slightly trippy. John Williams fills in any blanks viewers may have about the film’s score in “Creating a Musical Tradition”; this twelve-minute featurette dovetails nicely into “Songs of Fiddler on the Roof”, a back and forth between songwriters Sheldon Harnick, Jerry Bock, and Joseph Stein.
Finally, the comparison between the storyboard and film showcases a number of minor (and some major) differences that never made it to the silver screen. With a price point at under $20, there is no reason why fans of Fiddler on the Roof should not pick up the Blu-Ray combination pack, even if they do not have a Blu-Ray player readily available. There are a tremendous amount of features here, and viewers should get quite a few extra hours of viewing out of this release.
Rating: 9.5/10
Fiddler on the Roof (Blu-Ray) / 2011 Fox / 181 Minutes / http://www.fox.com