Tevya

1939

Drama

2
IMDb Rating 6.8/10 10 422 422

Plot summary

Tevye is a dairyman in the Russian Ukraine early in the 20th century. He lives in a cabin outside Boyberik with his wife Goldie, his widowed daughter Tseytl, her two children, and his younger daughter, the unmarried Khave. Khave is being courted by Fedya, a Christian, the son of a local government official. Tevye warns Khave against romance and marriage outside her faith, but Fedya is persuasive too. What will Khave decide, how will Tevye react, and when the Tsar initiates a pogrom, will Tevye's friends come to his defense? Can the stubborn Tevye reconcile his heart and tradition?

Director

Maurice Schwartz Photo
Maurice Schwartz

Top cast

Daniel Makarenko Photo
Daniel Makarenko as Mikita
Helen Grossman Photo
Helen Grossman as Mikita's Wife
Al Harris Photo
Al Harris as Zazuli
Julius Adler Photo
Julius Adler as Priest
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU
848.98 MB
1280*960
English 2.0
NR
24 fps
1 hr 32 min
Seeds 3
1.54 GB
1440*1080
English 2.0
NR
24 fps
1 hr 32 min
Seeds 8

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by planktonrules 7 / 10

A little bit of Russia...in New York City!

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.
Reviewed by schweinhundt1967

Close to the Original

"Tevye and His Daughters"is a rather disjointed novel that was printed over a 20 year period.Each chapter stands independently of the others,and reflects the then-current situation of the Jews living in rural Tsarist Russia.We see the breakdown of a patriarchal mode of life,changing in response to the demands of an evolving society which is emerging from feudalism,having effects on all social strata."Fiddler on the Roof",one of the American musical theater's most enduring masterpieces,is based on 4 chapters of the original novel.In addition,it has been somewhat homogenized for popular consumption for the local public."Tevye",on the other hand,is based on roughly 2.5 chapters,which are found later in the saga.In addition,some of the personal degradation and humiliation Tevye encounters in the source,are seen in this version.Maurice Schwartz is the star of the film.(It also helps,I guess,when he directed it as well.Able to give himself the best role.)His portrayal is NOT the gruff,jovial peasant seen in the musical.His rendition of the title part is much more cerebral,chipper,and acerbic than we might expect from this character.Nonetheless,it is entirely valid in its way.Enjoy this picture as an alternative interpretation.
Reviewed by bankcello 10 / 10

Wonderful! Very moving.

I noticed this on TV after it started, so I missed the beginning. However, what I saw, which was most of it, moved me greatly.I grew up in a home where Yiddish was used by my parents when they didn't want the kids to understand. Russian was used when they really didn't want us to understand! Unfortunately my Yiddish is not up to fully understanding the dialogue of the movie, though a meaningful percentage did come through. The titles were OK, and sometimes inadequate.To compare this to Fiddler is impossible. This is a tragedy and Fiddler is a musical. The acting is very good. It is old-fashioned acting, with large emotions and gesture. The Yiddish, that which I could understand, is a very nice Yiddish. No Americanisms in it, as the Yiddish I heard at home.One thing that was disturbing was the stereotypical portrayal of the non-Jewish characters. They were portrayed as coarse and mean-spirited. Of course, in a steytl in 19th century Russia, that was probably the norm.I recommend this film to all. To those who grew up in an immigrant Jewish household, it is a must.
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