Linkshoch Wonderful Movie

KnotMissPriceless Why so much hype?

Lightdeossk Captivating movie !

Lela The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

kimberlycartercpa-704-787241 The delightful documentary of author Sholem Aleichem is told by Jewish historians using rare archival photos and records. The film explores Jewish culture in 19th century pre-Revolutionary Czarist Russia through the eyes of characters cleverly created by Sholem Aleichem. Protagonists such as Menahem-Mendl, Tevye the Milkman, and Mottel the Cantor's son form the basis of the acclaimed movie Fiddler on the Roof. The author brilliantly spins Yiddish tales of tradition, loyalty, and change at a time of unrest, uncertainty, and anti-Semitism.After watching the Sholem Aleichem documentary, I view Fiddler on the Roof with a deeper, more reflective perspective. I now understand the meaning of the three daughters and how change truly impacted the lives of Russian Jews. Topol played Tevye in the London stage production and Zero Mostel played Tevye in the Broadway production. After viewing Zero Mostel in his Broadway performance it was clear that Topol was the ideal choice to play God's long-suffering servant ("I know, I know. We are Your chosen people. But, once in a while, can't You choose someone else?").My favorite quote in my favorite movie is when Motel tells Tevye of his love for Tzeitel and his intention to marry her. Tevye negates this by telling him he is just a poor tailor. Motel responds "That's true, Reb Tevye, but even a poor tailor is entitled to some happiness! " This says to me that even the least among us deserves to be happy. Interestingly, Leonard Frey, the actor that depicted Motel, was a colorful personage that portrayed a gay character in the stage production and movie Boys in the Band one year before Fiddler in 1970. Sadly, Frey died of complications of AIDS in 1988. Another great voice silenced before his time.I highly recommend Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness. It provides a thumbnail sketch of life as a Russian Jew during the late 1800's. The citizens endured turbulent and difficult lives and the movie provides yet another piece of Jewish history in the complete puzzle of life.

MartinHafer This biography and discussion of the work of Sholom Aleichem is very well made. However, you can tell that the filmmaker assumed that only Jewish people would want to watch the documentary, as MANY of the folks being interviewed talk about Jewish traditions or use Yiddish words that a non-Jewish audience would very possibly not understand. I grew up in a Jewish neighborhood and so I know about sitting shiva, shabbat and words like goyim and shtetl. But it seemed very strange that the film did not explain these things (and much more). In fact, there are probably many Jewish people who have lost contact with their Jewishness who don't understand everything these experts say. It's a shame, as Gentile audiences would benefit from learning about Sholem Aleichem as well--especially since "Fiddler on the Roof" (made up of various stories by Aleichem and starring his character 'Tevya') was a hugely popular film embraced by a wide audience, not just Jews. It's really a shame, as the documentary was otherwise exceptionally well made and interesting. Because of this, I give it a qualified recommendation.

richard-1787 I first became acquainted - I don't know how - with the stories of Sholem Aleichem 50 years ago, when I was a teenager growing up in Milwaukee. After this movie got a great review in the Cleveland Plain Dealer - I wasn't able to drive up to see it - I tried to get it on DVD, which has taken almost two years. Worth the wait. A very well-done documentary about the life of this author of short stories and, evidently, novels.The one thing I wish it had explored in greater detail was the nature of Yiddish literature before SA starts to write in that vernacular. Yes, Eastern European Jews all spoke Yiddish. But how many of them could read it? Of course, young Jewish boys learned to read enough Hebrew to go through their barmitzvah, but did that familiarity with the Hebrew alphabet plus a familiarity with spoken Yiddish enable them to read Yiddish? How much of a written language had Yiddish been before SA started to write in it? That is not a fault with the movie, which I strongly recommend, just a question that struck me.

David Ferguson 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. Mostly we get Alan Rosenberg as the narrator and Peter Riegert as the voice of the 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 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!