US (1971): Comedy/Drama/Musical/Family
Norman Jewison's adaptation of the long-running Broadway musical is set in the Ukranian ghetto village of Anatevka (the film was actually lensed in Yugoslavia). Israeli actor Topol repeats his London stage role as Tevye the Milkman, whose equilibrium is constantly being challenged by his poverty, the prejudicial attitudes of non-Jews, and the romantic entanglements of his five daughters. Whenever the weight of the world becomes too much for him, Tevye carries on lengthy conversations with God, who does not answer but is at least more willing to listen than the milkman's remonstrative wife Golde (Norma Crane). After arranging a marriage between his oldest daughter Tzeitel (Rosalind Harris) and wealthy butcher Lazar Wolf (Paul Mann), Tevye is forced to do some quick rearranging when the girl falls in love with poor tailor Motel Kamzoil (Leonard Frey). Fancying himself more broad-minded than his gentile oppressors, Tevye cannot accept the notion that his other daughter Chava (Neva Small) would want to marry Fyedka (Ray Lovelock), a non-Jew. And after shouting the praises of "tradition," Tevye must change his tune -- and his entire life -- when he and his neighbors are forced out of Anatevka by the Czar's minions. The cast also features Michele Marsh as daughter Hodel, Paul Michael Glaser as Perchik, and Yiddish theater legend Molly Picon as Yente the matchmaker. (Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide)
8 nominations, 3 Awards
· Cinematography 1971: Oswald Morris
· Music Scoring Awards (Best Scoring: Adaptation and Original Song Score) 1971: John Williams
· Sound 1971: Gordon K. McCallum, David Hildyard
· Best Picture 1971: Norman Jewison - Producer (Mirisch-Cartier, UA)
· Actor 1971: Topol
· Supporting Actor 1971: Leonard Frey
· Directing 1971: Norman Jewison
· Art Direction/Set Decoration 1971: Robert F. Boyle, Michael Stringer - Art Direction, Peter Lamont - Set Decoration