Fiddler on the Roof is a 1971 American
musical comedy-drama film produced and directed by
Norman Jewison. It is an
adaptation of the 1964
Broadway musical of the same name, with music composed by
Jerry Bock, lyrics by
Sheldon Harnick, and screenplay by
Joseph Stein. The film won three
Academy Awards, including one for arranger-conductor
John Williams. It was nominated for several more, including
Best Picture,
Best Actor for
Chaim Topol as Tevye, and
Best Supporting Actor for
Leonard Frey, who played Mottel Kamzoil the Tailor (both had originally acted in the musical; Topol as Tevye in the London production and Frey in a minor part as Mendel, the rabbi's son). The decision to cast Topol, instead of
Zero Mostel, as Tevye was a somewhat controversial one, as the role had originated with Mostel and he had made it famous. Years later, Jewison explained that he felt Mostel's larger-than-life personality, while fine on stage, would cause film audiences to see him (i.e., Zero Mostel, the actor) rather than the character of Tevye.