| Omar Sharif | Yuri Zhivago |
| Julie Christie | Lara |
| Tom Courtenay | Pasha Strelnikov |
| Geraldine Chaplin | Tonya |
| Rod Steiger | Komarovsky |
| Alec Guinness | Yevgraf |
| Siobhan McKenna | Anna |
| Ralph Richardson | Alexander Gromeko |
| Rita Tushingham | The Girl |
| Jeffrey Rockland | Sasha |
| Bernard Kay | Bolshevik |
| Klaus Kinski | Kostoyed |
| Gerard Tichy | Liberius |
| Noel Willman | Razin |
| Geoffrey Keen | Prof. Kurt |
| Adrienne Corri | Amelia |
| Jack MacGowran | Petya |
| Mark Eden | Young Engineer |
| Erik Chitty | Old Soldier |
| Roger Maxwell | Beef-Faced Colonel |
| Wolf Frees | Comrade Yelkin, Delegate |
| Gwen Nelson | Comrade Kaprugina, Female Janitor |
| Lucy Westmore | Katya |
| Lili Murati | Train Jumper |
| Peter Madden | Political Officer |
| Luana Alcaniz | Mrs. Sventytski |
| Jose Maria Caffarel | Militiaman |
| Emilio Carrer | Mr. Sventytski |
| Katherine Ellison | Raped Woman |
| Inigo Jackson | Major |
| Maria Martin | Gentlewoman |
| José Nieto | Priest |
| Tarek Sharif | Yuri at age 8 |
| Maria Vico | Demented Woman |
| David Lean | Director |
| Robert Bolt | Screenwriter |
| John Box | Production Designer |
| Phyllis Dalton | Costumes/Costume Designer |
| Eddie Fowlie | Special Effects |
| Maurice Jarre | Score Composer |
| Terence Marsh | Production Designer |
| Carlo Ponti | Producer |
| Winston Ryder | Sound/Sound Designer |
| Norman Savage | Editor |
| Dario Simoni | Set Decoration/Design |
| Roy Stevens | Asst. Director |
| Pedro Vidal | Asst. Director |
| Freddie Young | Cinematographer |
Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
David Lean's beautiful movie, based on the classical novel by Pasternak, shows the personal tragedy of Dr. Zhivago, the invisible man. Forever looking out windows, gazing at moons, reading love letters from the two fatal women of his life, Dr. Zhivago is an idealist in search of love and freedom, and most of all of himself; a man who is unable to attach to any woman or any place. He is a ghost wandering about for a destiny that is always around the corner. For all the trains and trams he boards, he never manages to get on the right one. Lean tells the story of this tragic and humourless figure with visual horror, set in the cold, lonely rooms of the big estate in the country. He finally faces himself in the mirror for all he is worth: a frozen, old, red-eyed spectre that will never find peace. And his lack of peace is Pasternak and Lean's ultimate narrative triumph. For the same reason, the action takes place in a turbulent and dramatic Russia in the times of the communist revolution. In times of revolution, a doctor is supposed to be neutral and helpful to whoever might be sick or wounded. But neutrality is impossible in times like these. Zhivago, however, is a harmless figure, never risking or sacrificing the beauty of any of his ideals which therefore all wither away. Whatever Pasternak's view of the revolution and the czar rulership might be, the political issues are merely a thematic background on which Zhivago acts, a background in which choice has become necessary, symbolizing the personal choice that Zhivago is forced to make, but which he is unable to make because of his wish to please everyone and retain his vision of beauty and poetry. Obtaining personal peace requires that you are willing to fight the war first, is Pasternak's comment. Even as a poet, he is ironically unable to describe life and Lara. This fact by the way makes it ridiculous that the scene in the estate where he has written a poem for her should be deemed romantic. The scene only underlines his inability to describe her as the complex good-and-bad figure that she is and that Komarovsky clearly understands. Zhivago is a lover of art, but a spectator of life and must therefore fail, which is most beautifully illustrated in his death scene, where the mere sight of Lara is actually fatal. He never reaches the point of human or emotional contact with any of his women. The story has only little ambiguity to Zhivago's tragedy apart from the fact that he loved and wrote. Even true passion did he seem to lack. The dam at the end may symbolize the restrictions that he should have imposed on his high ideals and emotions.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 1, 2010
it is a mistake to take 'doctor zhivago' as a 'mere romance'. set in a very troublesome and turmoilsome period of human history where it is impossible to look through a black & white looking glass,or pass on an easy judgement over the events, 'zhivago' is a perpetual quest for 'life' and its pristine beauty and love and dignity and peace. one of the greatest pictures ever made. special thanks to pasternak, david lean and maurice zarre.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 1, 2010
One of the Classics. A movie of magnificent proportions. There hasn't been a movie like this in 35 years. Truly one of the best ever made. A great addition to your collection!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 1, 2010
I Also Recommend:
In 1967, my Mother wanted me to see this movie. She said it was a picture about our homeland. The relatives left in 1880 to work here on the CB&Q railroad. Standing in line and looking at the poster, I was not impressed. I was not impressed until the opening music with the beautiful lines of birch trees. Then some sort of memories ignited in my DNA! Words are weak to express the intensity of my deep feelings. Yes, the movie was not filmed in Russia, and it diverged from the book, but it started a fire in my heart for history, literature, politics, and Russia. I have a degree in literature, media, speech, and a masters in Political Science. For 40 years I wrote a newspaper column "Daniel in the Lions'Den", was a social worker, and taught sociology in college, and have been very politically active. Last November, our church went to Moscow to rebuild an orphanage. We went to the theater, the circus, Red Square, Puskin's home, the churches, the slums, and the beautiful rural homes. I say all this because this Movie started all this. The locations and other details were imperfect, but movie drove me to research for the Truth. The new friends I met there say I have a Russian Soul. I hum the film's music almost daily when I am sad or when I am happy. I have the VCR, DVD, and CD, as well as Pasternak's Novel. "Can she play the ballilika? She is an artist!" Please, just buy the DVD, and let the movie set your Soul on fire with energy and Love. And, visit Russia. You will love the people, and the rows and rows of birch trees!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 1, 2010
have seen on big screen 31 times still a great movies after 37 years
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 16, 2012
Best movie ever made. I must watch this againin the next few days!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.David Lean's film of "Doctor Zhivago" is radiant to look at, pretty to listen to and there is a spectacularly layered performance by Rod Steiger as the scheming Komarovsky. And that's about it. As Zhivago, Omar Sharif seems to suffer before anything even happens, and as the legendary object of his obsession, Lara, Julie Christie is a complete dud, portraying all the warmth of a glacial formation. Boris Pasternak's novel has been simplified and edited until the only thing left is alot of expensive sets waiting for someone to use in a story. Certainly no understanding of the Russian Revolution is remotely possible watching this film,reducing the production to a series of pretty pictures (cinematographer Freddie Young conjurs miracles behind the camera)surrounding a supposed story of passion with zero chemistry. Despite all this, the picture is never dull, just frustrating. Somewhere in this mammoth production didn't anyone think that it had to have cohesion? The maniacal Klaus Kinski pops up in a train sequence, a brief flame lighting up the screen, sadly reminding the audience what could have been.
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This is one of my all time favorite movies. I have the VHS version of it and by now it is so worn that I can't play it anymore. So, I am going to purchase the DVD this weekend. Everything about this movie keeps me watching it over and over and the cinematography is among the best. Sort of like "Lawrence of Arabia" but set in Russia.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 1, 2010
Unlike some other reviews here, I think that this is good classic historical romance. Yes, it helps to like history and have 3 and 1/2 hours to devote to this film. What I admire the most about this film is the cinematography and how important the characters eyes are. They tell much of the emotional portion of the story. Even though it was not filmed in Russia, but Canada, Finland and Spain, you belive it is in Russia giving it a feel of authenticity. The acting was good by all main characters. If you pay attention you will see the future Obi-Wan"Ben"Kenobi - Alec Guinness from "Star Wars" and Rod Steiger who also played Judd in the musical "Oklahoma". This is a good view of Russia before Communisim took hold. The plot is good enough and it is interesting to see how the characters meet up throughout the film. Children"teens" may not have the patience for this movie. It is rated PG-13. In any case, it is worth a viewing just to see another great movie made in 1965 which won 5 Oscars.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 1, 2010
no further comment other thnan just great, great, great !! 'better in a different way than Sound of Music.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 1, 2010
'Doctor Zhivago' is one of those mammoth widescreen productions that is diminished when viewed in a home theater setting. The DVD features an excellent transfer presenting the film in its original Panavision aspect ratio. This 2 disc Special Edition of the film is a must for movie buffs who will enjoy the 'making of' documentary of the film along with some fascinating interviews with Omar Sharif and Julie Christie at the time of the movie's premiere. 'Doctor Zhivago' is a testament to the directorial genius of David Lean. More popular with the moviegoing public than the critics, it has stood the test of time and is a genuine cinematic classic.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 1, 2010
Doctor Zhivago is, in my opinion, one of the greatest films ever made! The incomperable director David Lean perfectly captures Boris Pasternak's tale of the Russian Civil War and hearts 'torn by love.' There are pleanty of epic images abound: from the revolution in the streets, to Zhivago's desperate escape to the Urals, to the 'ice palace' where Yuri(Zhivago) and Lara spend their last days together. Yuri is a poet torn between the two women he loves. One is the fiery, passionate Lara who becomes Yuri's great love. The other is Yuri's meek and beautiful wife, Tonya, who devotes her whole life to her husband and his art. All three of these people-and others- soon become caught up in the tidal wave of history. Full of indelible preformances and hauntingly scored by Maurice Jarre, Doctor Zhivago is 'moviemaking wonder' of love pursued, lost, found, and lost again.'
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 1, 2010
Great blend of drama and music with 'Lara's Theme.'
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.lindaleven_dot_com
Posted October 18, 2010
I wanted so much to read this book, because I loved the film by David Lean and can watch it over and over again. However, I could not get past 150 pages in the book before I threw it aside as not worth the immense effort. There were so many irrelevant characters being introduced, and then disappearing, never to be heard of again. And then there were so many incidents described that were just irrelevant to the story --silly narratives that I found inconsequential to the main action, which I knew quite well from the film. Lastly, the same characters were named in so many different ways, I found myself constantly confused. My favorite author is Trollope. He writes long novels, but all characters and all incidents are relevant and have meaning to the plot as a whole. Anyway ... I have given up on Dr. Zhivago and will have to be content with the 2 films!!
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 1, 2010
If anyone made the comparison for this film and Gone with the Wind, the only reason would be is that both films were the worst made in the history of B-movies. First off, the dialogue of the film was horrible. It was like two drunken men came up with it. If you have read the story, the main character takes five pages just to tell about some farm that he lived on several years ago. You feel no sympathy for any of the characters at all. The acting is wooden, dull, and there isn’t any real action. The best part of this whole film (not) is that the “good” doctor cheats on his wife for some Lara character. It went something like this: “Oh, Lara! Lara! Lara! Let’s go cheat on my wife and live in some ice castle in the middle of nowhere! Plus too, we will drag some kid off from the street and make him part of it! Yeehaw! One more thing that made this film bad is that it took place during the Russian Revolution. Not that I have anything really bad against the Russians, but the names of their armies were bad though and through! Who names their armies “Red” and “White”? Ohh! I’m so scared! I’m shaking in my boots! All in all, this film was so bad. I would advise that this film should be kept away from any children. The only compliment that I would give this film is that this could be a great means of interrogating prisoners! Don’t waste you money on this film!!
0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 1, 2010
DOCTOR ZHIVAGO is my all time favorite film to watch. I don't know exactly why, because I don't think it's the very best film that's ever been made, but I do get totally involved with the characters in DOCTOR ZHIVAGO and character involvement is, I think, the most important ingredient in either the writing of novels or the making of films. DOCTOR ZHIVAGO isn't a film 'about' the Russian Revolution, although it is set against the backdrop of the revolution and the decisions and fate of the film's characters are dependent, to a large degree on the war that's raging around them. Instead, DOCTOR ZHIVAGO is a film that explores the poetic Russian soul through an intimate look at one very enigmatic and charismatic man, Yuri Zhivago (Omar Sharif), part-time (his part-time status is imposed by the constraints of the revolution) physician, specializing in family practice, and part-time love poet. Yuri Zhivago is the ultimate idealist and the ultimate romantic. As such, he can't stand either the Tsarist regime or the cruelty of the Bolsheviks and, it's just as well, because the Bolshevik's can't stand him, either, save for his own half-brother, skillfully played by Alec Guinness. Yuri Zhivago is a man who was born in Siberia, in that wild, untamed and beautiful land beyond the Urals. After the death of his mother, a musical artist, herself, the young Yuri goes to Moscow to live with his beloved aunt and uncle and their pretty little daughter, Tonya (Geraldine Chaplin). Yuri falls in love with Tonya almost immediately, and, of course, there's no doubt that the two will marry. Although theirs seems to be the perfect union, trouble is brewing in the form of the revolution and a woman who is both as enigmatic and charismatic as is Yuri, a dressmaker's daughter, Lara (Julie Christie). Yuri leaves Moscow, a privileged member of the upper class, to minister to the wounded and, when he returns, he finds the Bolsheviks in charge and his once lavish home partitioned off so that many families can live there. Yuri, his wife Tonya, their son, Sasha, and Tonya's father are reduced to living in only a few cold and barren rooms with little to eat. When Yuri decides that things must change, he takes his brother's suggestion and, with his family, leaves Moscow for their country home in the Urals. There, life is not as luxurious as it once was, but at least it is peaceful and free from harassment. It is not free from Lara, however, a woman who was once a nurse and with whom Yuri spent long, though chaste, hours. Now, however, he finds he cannot deny his love for the beautiful Lara, and, even in the land beyond the Urals, far away from Moscow, problems develop as Yuri is forced to choose between Tonya and Lara. As is often the case in real life, however, fate makes his decision for him. I think Omar Sharif was the perfect choice to play Yuri Zhivago. In the 60s, he was obviously as charismatic and as dreamily poetic as Yuri Zhivago is supposed to be. For me, in this film, Sharif was the very embodiment of the poetic Russian soul. Although I've heard criticism of Julie Christie's portrayal of Lara, I think she played her role perfectly. She definitely looked like a woman three men would be totally in love with and mesmerized by. Although her husband, Pasha Antipov (Tom Courtney) leaves her to devote himself more fully to the revolution, when he finds the revolution needs him no longer, he sets out for Lara's. Komarovsky (Rod Steiger), as a wealthy, world-weary aristocrat, never loses his fascination with Lara, as well, and, as his actions near the film's closing moments show, he just might love her more selflessly than does Zhivago, who, of course, loves her the most passionately. I don't think anyone who's seen DOCTOR ZHIVAGO will forget its stunning cinematography: the forests, the Urals in the distance, the fields of daffodils waving in the wind or the dacha encrusted in ice. No matter what you think of this film, I believe you'd
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Posted October 1, 2010
I was disappointed with Dr. Zhivago. I am a huge fan of David Lean's ''Lawrence of Arabia'' in part because of the masterful way Lean draws out and develops the characters and the incredible emotional content in the performances. I also thought “Lawrence” was unusually (for the time) astute in playing with moral ambiguities, and while moral ambiguities certainly abound in Pasternak’s book the movie comes across as formulaic and two-dimensional. Perhaps emotion is lacking in “Zhivago” due to Omar Sharif’s notably bland performance, but I do feel that this script meanders somewhat and doesn’t quite know what it’s trying to say. Despite the raves here, I think this is a fairly weak work by Lean.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 1, 2010
I saw (probably a pirated VHS version) some 17 years ago. I am still searching for a copy for myself, to watch and absorb. It certainly made a strong impact on me with regard to my morals as a married man. Still looking.
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Posted November 4, 2008
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Anonymous
Posted July 10, 2010
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Overview