From Warner Home Video:
The 1965 film captures the essence of Boris Pasternak's Russian novel of remarkable passion and sweeping grandeur, presenting an intimate and deeply emotional story against the enormous backdrop of the Russian Bolshevik Revolution. Over the years, critics have noted that while famous for its portrayal of one of the most cataclysmic periods of the 20th century, the ultimate power of Doctor Zhivago emanates from Lean's rendering of the fragile, yet indomitable human spirit -- and its capacity for love. Accompanied by Maurice Jarre's hauntingly memorable score and Freddie Young's rich photography, the film achieves a lavish level of production values rarely surpassed to this day.
Omar Sharif stars in the title role of Doctor Zhivago, portraying the surgeon-poet over a half-century period. Zhivago, who is married to Tonya (Geraldine Chaplin), an aristocratic girl with whom he raises a family, is also in love with Lara (Julie Christie), a nurse whose life has been destroyed by tragedy. Repeatedly brought together and separated from each woman by war and revolution, Zhivago is torn apart by conflict. He loves Tonya deeply but his poetic soul belongs to Lara. Much like his beloved country, Zhivago's spirit becomes battered by the devastation of war as he struggles to maintain his individualism in the face of overwhelming odds.
Doctor Zhivago Cast/Crew List
David Lean
Omar Sharif
Julie Christie
Geraldine Chaplin
Rod Steiger
Alec Guiness
Tom Courtenay
Ralph Richardson
Siobhan McKenna
Jeffrey Rockland
Rita Tushingham
We have to admit to have decidedly mixed feelings for Doctor Zhivago. The film is beautifully framed and directed by David Lean, but we just didn't care for the story itself. For us, the dark and dreary setting of Communist Russia overwhelmed the mostly-restrained love story, making the film doubly a tragedy. The bookending scenes with the young girl did help to soften the sadness of the film for us. That said, the film is worth watching as a study in filmmaking for the attention to detail and the patience of pacing that is now all but gone thanks to the rise of instant gratification and the 15-second soundbyte. Even for its length, no frame is wasted and is beautifully planned.
45th Anniversary DVD/Blu-ray:
If you're a fan of Doctor Zhivago or Director David Lean, then this set is more than worth adding to your collection. In addition to the film itself, an audio commentary by Omar Sharif, Rod Steiger and David Lean's wife, a new retrospective, the hour-long documentary done for the film's 30th anniverary and vintage featuretts. The Blu-ray edition also includes a forty-four page booklet and a CD that features selections from the film's soundtrack.
Doctor Zhivago 45th Anniversary DVD Extras:
— Audio commentary by Omar Sharif, Rod Steiger and David Lean's wife Lady Sandra Lean
— Doctor Zhivago: A Celebration - all-new retrospective
— Doctor Zhivago: The Making of a Russian Epic - Documentary
— Zhivago: Behind the Camera with David Lean - Vintage Featurette
— David Lean's Film of Doctor Zhivago - Vintage Featurette
— Moscow in Madrid - Vintage Featurette
— Pasternak - Vintage Featurette
— New York Press Interviews Julie Christie - Vintage Featurette
— New York Press Interviews Omar Sharif - Vintage Featurette
— Geraldine Chaplin Screen Test - Vintage Featurette
— This is Julie Christie - Vintage Featurette
— This is Geraldine Chaplin - Vintage Featurette
— This is Omar Sharif - Vintage Featurette
— Chaplin in New York - Vintage Featurette
— Original Theatrical Trailer Buy Doctor Zhivago 45th Anniversary DVD Now!
