One of Broadway’s longest-running musicals may go on indefinitely now that its film version has been digitized and encased in plastic.
The other actors and singers perform vigorously, with corresponding warmth. Songs like "Tradition," "Matchmaker," "If I Were a Rich Man," "Miracle of Miracles," and "Sunrise, Sunset" are freshly rendered.
Video:
MGM continue to provide fine quality on their DVDs. The screen size is approximately 2.35:1 Panavision and shows good detail. There were a couple of moments in the last five minutes of the film where I noticed an odd pulsation in the picture, but otherwise I experienced no difficulties.
Audio:
The stereo sound, remastered in Dolby Digital Surround, is especially effective in the big ensemble numbers, but it is a little bright at the top end, betraying slightly its 1971 origins by emphasizing a small degree of tape hiss. At most normal listening levels and on most speakers with a natural, well-balanced tonal response, this should pose no problem. But I can see how the hiss might become an issue on some home systems that attempt to duplicate the loud, bright sonic environment of many movie houses. Still, that´s why preamps and receivers have tone controls. If the sound bothers you, deal with it.
Extras:
A feature-length audio commentary is always an agreeable bonus, but as the film was three hours long, I did not have time to do more than ensure that it was there. Like most buyers, I look forward to going back to it and pursuing it later. The dual-layer format is also useful because it means that with such a long film one does not have to stop and turn over the disc. And of final interest, on this release and others MGM publish a booklet insert containing production notes and trivia, rather than including them on the disc itself.
Parting Thoughts:
All in all, "Fiddler on the Roof" is a welcome addition to any serious DVD library. One of Broadway´s longest-running musicals may go on indefinitely now that its film version has been digitized and encased in plastic. Three hours is a long stretch for any film, I know, but I strongly recommend the experience.
Video:
MGM continue to provide fine quality on their DVDs. The screen size is approximately 2.35:1 Panavision and shows good detail. There were a couple of moments in the last five minutes of the film where I noticed an odd pulsation in the picture, but otherwise I experienced no difficulties.
Audio:
The stereo sound, remastered in Dolby Digital Surround, is especially effective in the big ensemble numbers, but it is a little bright at the top end, betraying slightly its 1971 origins by emphasizing a small degree of tape hiss. At most normal listening levels and on most speakers with a natural, well-balanced tonal response, this should pose no problem. But I can see how the hiss might become an issue on some home systems that attempt to duplicate the loud, bright sonic environment of many movie houses. Still, that´s why preamps and receivers have tone controls. If the sound bothers you, deal with it.
Extras:
A feature-length audio commentary is always an agreeable bonus, but as the film was three hours long, I did not have time to do more than ensure that it was there. Like most buyers, I look forward to going back to it and pursuing it later. The dual-layer format is also useful because it means that with such a long film one does not have to stop and turn over the disc. And of final interest, on this release and others MGM publish a booklet insert containing production notes and trivia, rather than including them on the disc itself.
Parting Thoughts:
All in all, "Fiddler on the Roof" is a welcome addition to any serious DVD library. One of Broadway´s longest-running musicals may go on indefinitely now that its film version has been digitized and encased in plastic. Three hours is a long stretch for any film, I know, but I strongly recommend the experience.
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