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Fiddler on the Roof

(1971, Rated G, Musical, Starring Molly Picon, Leonard Frey)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Epic story of Jews during the Russian Revolution.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
  • Violence :

    Historical battles of the Russian Revolution are shown but there is no gore and deaths are muted.
  • Sex :

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Tevye is shown drinking to celebrate his daughter's upcoming wedding and suffers a hangover the next day; wedding celebrants drink wine.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Fiddler on the Roof

Parents need to know that this film tackles numerous social and political issues within a religious context, including the concepts of interfaith marriages, gender roles, socialism, religious intolerance, and more. Smaller children may be spooked by the movie's portrayal of the violence of the Russian Revolution, and may also be frightened by the film's ending, in which the inhabitants of a small Jewish village are forced out of their homes by Russian soldiers.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the importance of religious traditions: are they stifling to individuality or do they provide a moral framework that imbues everyday life with meaning? They might also wish to discuss parental authority, and what happens when children flout their parents' wishes. The movie's sympathetic portrait of Jewish villagers caught up in the dangerous politics of the Russian Revolution could provide fodder for a discussion of political systems (capitalism vs. communism, for instance), and the havoc and agony that results when such systems are overthrown.
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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about Fiddler on the Roof?
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See all 6 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer
    Age 12
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    GREAT MOVIE!!!!!!

    This movie shows Jewish life and family. It shows how family goes beyond tradition. It has a lot of drinking and some violence from the Russians, and is very sad. It shows how matchmakers choose daughters to some random man, and how they only want who they love. I loved this movie. Under 8 might not know what's going on.

  2. Teen Reviewer
    Age 15
    Anonymous
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    good movie this is

    This movie is pretty good i thought. its suitable for all ages however a young kid might find it a little boring. its long but enjoyable. the music is great

  3. Teen Reviewer
    Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Best Musical of All Time

    Absolutely the best musical ever written! The songs are unbelievable, the messages and morals are inspiring and thought-provovking, and there's even a touch of humor. An instant classic.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

    simply fantastic

    The best musical movie ever made!! The soundtrack is amazing!

  5. Kid Reviewer
    Age 9
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    A touching, wonderful movie!

    This movie is touching at times, joyful at others, and even sometimes sad. It's a wonderful movie, that you can't stop watching. Alchohol and violence are a small issue, but besides that this is a must-see movie.

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