film synopsis
When Norman Jewison was asked to direct the 1971 film version of Fiddler on the Roof, he feared there was a misunderstanding. “I’m a goy,” confessed the Canadian. “What does that matter?” he was reassured, “We want to make a film for everybody.” In celebration of the beloved musical’s 50th anniversary, director Daniel Raim has dug deep into the backstory of how Jewison and his extraordinary team, filming in Yugoslavia and Pinewood Studios in England, created a movie that was seen by practically everybody. Narrated by Jeff Goldblum, and featuring copious clips and revealing interviews with everyone from Jewison, composer John Williams, production designer Robert Boyle to all the actors who played Tevye’s daughters, Fiddler’s Journey… reveals in rare detail the nuts and bolts of moviemaking. Who knew that cinematographer Oswald Morris covered his lens with ladies’ silk stockings to get the dust-tinged images of the shtetl? It’s just one delicious detail among many in this feast for movie lovers.