We have lost a legend today in Chaim Topol, who immortalised Reb Tevye onscreen in Fiddler on the Roof. Zero Mostel originated the role on Broadway, but Norman Jewison was keen to hire someone who did not bring a pre existing persona to the role, and so the role went to Israeli actor Topol. He was a rogue choice - only 30, a role of a man supposed to have adult daughters, and with very little English, but Jewison's casting was inspired. Tevye would become the role of a lifetime for Topol - he would play him onstage more than 3,500 times.
During the famous If I Were a Rich Man scene, he later revealed that he was fighting a horrendous toothache, claiming that he sounded odd because of it. The scene took three days because of the pain. It's still a wonderful scene - take a look below.
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L'chaim, sunrise, sunset. May his memory be a blessing.
"What kind of advice can I give [young performers]? Someone sent me a quote that persistence wins. I have to disagree with this. It is an important ingredient. I don't think that there are any rules. Be persistent, be talented, work hard, but ninety-five percent is luck - so be lucky!"
I stumbled across the end of Fiddler on the Roof last night and even though I only saw the last 25 minutes, it still managed to hook me in, make me cry and move me so deeply.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: this movie is a masterpiece and one of the greatest movie musicals ever made.
The music is incredible...ranging from the fun and energetic To Life (L’Chaim) to the reverence of The Sabbath Prayer and the haunting Anatevka. And the movie takes it to another level by having John Williams as the film’s orchestrator. Topol’s performance as Tevye is so iconic, I’m retroactively mad that he didn’t win the Oscar....and of course, the cinematography is unbelievable...shot through a silk stocking to give it that slight sepia tone.
If you haven’t seen this movie yet, you must add this to your list ASAP.
Chaim Topol, the actor best known for playing Tevye in ''Fiddler on the Roof,'' has died, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced. He was 87.
Netanyahu paid tribute to Topol on Thursday and conveyed his condolences, calling him a ''multi-faceted artist, with great charisma and energy.''
''Sadly, the Fiddler on the roof is no longer with us. The strings of the Fiddle have fallen silent. The story of Chaim Topol's life has been sealed but I am certain that his contribution to Israeli culture will live on for generations, " Netanyahu said in a statement. ''He greatly loved the land of Israel, and the people of Israel loved him in return.''
Roger Moore, Carole Bouquet, Chaim Topol, Lynn-Holly Johnson, Julian Glover
Directed By:
John Glen
Genre:
Action
Rating:
PG
Run Time:
2 Hours 7 Minutes
Release Date:
24 June 1981 (United Kingdom)
26 June 1981 (United States)
Synopsis:
When a British ship is sunk in foreign waters, the world's superpowers begin a feverish race to find its cargo: a nuclear submarine control system. And 007 (Roger Moore) is thrust into one of his most riveting adventures as he rushes to join the search ... and prevent global devastation!