Doctor Zhivago (Two-Disc Special Edition)

David Lean's extraordinary, expansive telling of Boris Pasternak's love-triangle story, set amidst the Russian Revolution. Omar Sharif is stunning as the title character (he's a doctor and a poet so how can he miss?) and Julie Christie is very lovely as Lara, the politically committed nurse he falls for over wife Tonya (Geraldine Chaplin). It is at once an intimate epic, superbly acted and impeccably crafted in every department. With Alec Guiness, Rod Steiger, Ralph Richardson, Tony Courtenay, Siobhan McKenna, Rita Tushingham, Klaus Kinski and many others. The highly memorable, Oscar-winning score is by Maurice Jarre. Other Academy Awards included screenplay (Robert Bolt), cinematography (Freddie Young) and art direction (John Box). Director Lean's particularly dynamic use of the wide Panavision screen means inevitably some loss of impact of television.

I will not count myself near the orator nor the writer as some of those that have reviewed this movie previously, however, as a fan of the writer and the movie... I wanted to say that as far as sentiment and depth are concerned? It captured A LOT. This was indeed a beautifully written, scripted, acted, and directed movie... certainly worth your time and open-minded hearts. A lot to be learned from Boris Pasternak... from what I've read? He, himself, went through a lot of dramatic history in his day... and was humble enough to share his learning experiences through writt and poetry... the least we can do is read his books or watch movies that were so diligently created to respect his stories... Again, this movie was amazing.

Lavish film about the Russian Revolution of 1917. Russia pulled out of World War I when it went Communist. Omar Sharif is Zhivago, an idealistic doctor torn between his wife and Julie Christie. Zhivago's ambiguity is mirrored in his poetry, judged too personal by the new order. We see the paradox of art and science. Zhivago's half-brother tells the story to a girl believed to be the offspring of the illicit affair. It is the formula for historical fiction, made up characters living their lives against sweeping events. There are some hauntingly beautiful scenes, snow and springtime flowers.

This DVD is a great story about two people during a revolution who fall in love. It's a wonderful story.

"Doctor Zhivago"is rightly considered one of Sir David Lean's greatest epics. From Maurice Jarre's romantic "Lara's theme" on the balalaika to the believable love triangle of Zhivago-Lara-Tonya,it is a masterpiece. "Doctor Zhivago" is about the good doctor (Omar Sharif) who wants to live a quiet,peaceful life as a poet. He is swept into the turmoil of revolutionary Russia.

Along the way,Zhivago marries his childhood friend Tonya (Geraldine Chaplin),but is smitten with the mysterious Lara (Julie Christie) At the same time,Lara is desired by a revolutionary (Tom Courtenay) as well as a villainous man who constantly plays the system (Rod Steiger). Zhivago&Lara long for each other,despite the barriers of marriage,distance,and war. Zhivago is swept into WWI as well as the Russian Revolution,an unwilling participant in both. For a time, Zhivago&Lara have a sensuous idyll in Siberia. Their time in Eden is too brief. Again, they are separated. The ending is heartbreaking when the elderly Zhivago beholds the beautiful,silver-haired Lara from a distance. He sees her,but cannot attain her. Alec Guinness provides the coda as Zhivago's brother,telling Zhivago&Lara's daughter of her parents' forbidden passion.

David Lean's romantic epic is the gold standard of romantic epics. There is no need for it to be explicit to be erotic&sensuous. There is chemistry between the leads,flawless production,and a fabulous soundtrack. "Doctor Zhivago" is not only a romance,but about the desire for freedom burning in the midst of tyranny. It's a timeless classic.