Doctor Zhivago Reviews | RateItAll

Doctor Zhivago

1965 epic historical romance film directed by David Lean with a screenplay by Robert Bolt, based on the 1957 novel by Boris Pasternak Website

Approval Rate: 93%

93%Approval ratio

Reviews 14

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  • by

    bgonsior

    Tue Sep 14 2010

    My absolute favorite. The story by Boris Pasternak is amazing and the movie is very well done. I have always thought of Omar Sharif as a sweet handsome face, but his performance in this movie is unforgettable. I love the music and the scenery. One of the movies that are as good as the original book itself. You do need to know a little bit of the historical background to understand it.

  • by

    edt4226d

    Sat Jun 19 2010

    A lavish, lush, loo-o-o-o-ong and richly-detailed masterpiece based on the Pasternak classic, directed with mastery by David Lean. Is it as great as the Pasternak novel? Of course not, but what cinematic version could come close? Lean's version comes as near as possible to perfection as film adaptations go, the last of its kind-- a several hours long epic with its own built-in intermission that allowed film-goers in 1965 to attend to the call of nature and buy more popcorn before settling down to the 2nd half ("Gone With The Wind" did the same thing). The acting is superb, from those playing major characters, like Omar Sharif as the doomed physician-poet Zhivago, and Julie Christie, as his by turns mecurial and stoic love interest (whatever happened to her? She was beautiful, sexy, and talented, a seemingly unbeatable cinematic trifecta), to more minor parts acted by the likes of Geraldine Chaplin and Tom Courtney, and even Klaus Kinski, who makes an exceedingly brief but memorable ap... Read more

  • by

    wolfmantip

    Tue Aug 25 2009

    Another of my favorites, if youv'e never seen it,give it a try,it's a little long But thats as it should be. Omar shariff is great,as is Rod Steiger,Julie Christie and Alex Guinness. The Theme song "Somewhere My Love " is also a Beautiful piece of work.

  • by

    spike65

    Fri Aug 24 2007

    Another huge epic production from David Lean. Made for the huge single screen theaters of the 60's  Few of the movie houses of that era had sceens wide enough to properly display these super films. So usually you had to travel to a large city and pay top dollar to see them in all their glory. This movie was worth the big bucks to see it in a first-run theater. Omar Shariff, Julie Christie, Rod Stieger, and Sir Ralph Richardson carry this film. A wonderful movie with beautiful cinematography, great soundtrack, well written classic story, and fine acting. Did not seem overly long in the theater, but these movies always had an intermission that lasted about ten minutes to give people a chance to do what they had to do.

  • by

    stepfung

    Sat Oct 15 2005

    it's the only movie which justifies the love affairs of a man.

  • by

    genghisthehun

    Tue Aug 30 2005

    Here we have David Lean again. This movie goes on too long but it has everything you need--romance, heartbreak, nobility, betrayal, action etc. Pasternak's work is well done. I didn't like Omar Sharif in the title role in the 1960's but he has grown on me over the decades and I am satisfied in his role as the doc. The characters are too English however, but so what, I guess.

  • by

    tocwelsh

    Mon Jan 31 2005

    Another great epic, well, great for me anyway!....fantastic soundtrack....

  • by

    medgarevers

    Wed Jan 02 2002

    I was not hoping to even see "Doctor Zhivago". I thought it was some dark, dismal film but I was surprised at how quickly I got into the movie. It's such a wonderful story. I watched it in two viewings so it didn't come across as being long and tiresome for me. It's the story of a doctor (Omar Sharif) who falls in love during the Russian Revolution and it's truly captivating. Alec Guinness also makes a good appearance. Terrific movie.

  • by

    jimi_shouvani

    Fri Oct 26 2001

    This is the second Greatest film of all time after Lawrence of Arabia both directed by David Lean, the best director ever. A tragic love story on an epic scale set against the background of the Russian revolution. The whole cast gave great performances Julie Christie (Lara) is remarkably beautiful. The movie is atmospheric and visually stunning like all of David Leans films, you really feel like it was filmed in Russia even though it was filmed mostly in Finland and Spain. It was not filmed in Canada, Great cinematography and a great score. Doctor Zhivago should have won best picture and best director award, instead they gave it to the Sound of Music not a very good film. A big mistake by the academy awards, i think the only reason they gave the award to the Sound of Music was because Fox Studios was nearly bankrupt so they gave them an undeserving boost. Doctor Zhivago is a 10 times better movie.

  • by

    atomicsox

    Thu May 10 2001

    A supremely tragic love story. One of the greatest of all time. Wonderful score. Surreal winter scenes. All classic movies get their distinction by the fact that the casting is so superb. So it is with "Dr. Zhivago", an epic tale of love, hate, betrayal, et al, during the Russian Revolution. Julie Christie absolutely lights up the screen, and Rod Stieger, Omar Shariff, and Geraldine Chaplin turn in admirable performances. Have seen this about a dozen times.

  • by

    ramman

    Mon Apr 02 2001

    One of the greatest movies ever made -- and my favorite of all times! An historical epic with grand, sweeping views of scenery and humanity -- with a tragic love story to capture the heart. The musical score is terrific! Cinema at its absolute best!

  • by

    anduarto

    Mon Jan 08 2001

    Ok, it's too long. But it captured my imagination like few movies ever do. Gorgeous visually.

  • by

    mahler7

    Fri Nov 17 2000

    I saw it on the big screen when it first came out. It was the first movie that totally absorbed my attention. It is a great movie. Although filmed in Canada, you really feel as if you were in Russia during those turbulent times.

  • by

    bug_at_2715et

    Tue Dec 14 1999

    This movie really should have one best picture over sound of music. Wonderful story and so beautifully filmed.