If you watch "Tevya", you might be surprised to learn that it was filmed at the old Biograph Studio in Manhattan...though I suspect that many of the outdoor scenes were filmed in far off Long Island or other New York boroughs, as I cannot imagine that there were places in Manhattan that could double as farm land. It's also surprising because the film is made entirely in Yiddish! It might surprise you to know that many Yiddish films were made in the States for consumption by Jewish audiences around the world.
The story is essentially the same as "Fiddler on the Roof" by Sholom Aleichem... but without the music, singing or expensive sets. It also runs only about 90 minutes...as opposed to double the length for the Hollywood musical.
The story finds Tevya seeing the worst of life, as his youngest daughter defies him to go off to marry a Gentile. Essentially, she is now dead to her family. To make matters worse, her mother soon dies and Tevya and the remaining family members are ordered off the land...the result of yet another Russian pogrom.
The story is not pleasant, but how could you tell the Russian Jewish experience of the 19th century without much sadness and persecution? I see it less as a fun film (it certainly ISN'T), but an important one as it documents a lost way of life...and fits in well with other stories such as "America, America" and "Roots".
Overall, while not pleasant it's very well made and the acting by director/screenwriter Maurice Schwartz is a standout. For those who find "Fiddler on the Roof" overlong and ponderous (I know there aren't many...but I found the film too long and slow), it's a decent alternative.
The story is essentially the same as "Fiddler on the Roof" by Sholom Aleichem... but without the music, singing or expensive sets. It also runs only about 90 minutes...as opposed to double the length for the Hollywood musical.
The story finds Tevya seeing the worst of life, as his youngest daughter defies him to go off to marry a Gentile. Essentially, she is now dead to her family. To make matters worse, her mother soon dies and Tevya and the remaining family members are ordered off the land...the result of yet another Russian pogrom.
The story is not pleasant, but how could you tell the Russian Jewish experience of the 19th century without much sadness and persecution? I see it less as a fun film (it certainly ISN'T), but an important one as it documents a lost way of life...and fits in well with other stories such as "America, America" and "Roots".
Overall, while not pleasant it's very well made and the acting by director/screenwriter Maurice Schwartz is a standout. For those who find "Fiddler on the Roof" overlong and ponderous (I know there aren't many...but I found the film too long and slow), it's a decent alternative.