Tags
1960's, Alec Guinness, David Lean, Doctor Zhivago, Drama, Epic, Geraldine Chaplin, Julie Christie, Omar Sharif, Rod Steiger, Romance, Tom Courtenay
The always sensational, lovely and talented Maddy is doing a blogathon that pays tribute to the great mastery of David Lean. I decided to review Doctor Zhivago.
Starring
- Omar Sharif as Yuri Zhivago
- Julie Christie as Lara Antipova
- Geraldine Chaplin as Tonya Gromeko
- Tom Courtenay as Pasha Antipov
- Rod Steiger as Victor Komarovsky
- Alec Guinness as Yevgraf Zhivago
A sweeping epic of romance set during the Russian Revolution and War, Doctor Zhivago is a classic of film making from the imagery to the acting. It’s an epic in nearly every sense of the word.
The movie begins with General Yevgraf Zhivago searching for what would be his niece. He finds a girl who he believes to be the one and narrates the story of his half-brother and lover. The story flashes back to Yuri losing his mother. He is taken in by the Gromeko family and moves to Moscow, where he is raised along with their daughter Tonya. He grows up to be a doctor and in his spare time, he writes poetry that reveals his romantic outlook on life. Meanwhile and nearby, Lara is a beautiful young woman who is in a relationship with passionate revolutionary Pasha, but is seduced by the much older and nastier Victor Komarovsky. Being naive and unsure of her feelings, she is used by him as he does with nearly everyone else. Yuri and Lara briefly meet when she shoots Komarovsky for his brutal treatment of her. Though it is brief, Zhivago is taken with the beautiful Lara. When World War I breaks out, Zhivago is drafted into service for his medical knowledge and Lara volunteers as a nurse. This is where their romance begins, though it is interrupted frequently by the upcoming Revolution and the chaos of events. Yuri marries Tonya but he still holds a flame for Lara, though he doesn’t act in his romantic feelings for her. Over the course of years, their love deepens as Zhivago flees from the rise of Communism and they continue to meet but be separated. Though they pursue romance, fate and time has other ideas for the pair that aren’t going to run at all smoothly.
David Lean, whose movies are so full of majesty, is on dazzling form here. He spins the story of the star-crossed lovers in a changing world and though the film is epic and grand, manages to convey the intimacy of the love story among all the chaos. He’s a true artist of the form of movie making and his fingerprints which are extremely stylish and sensitive make Doctor Zhivago a treat. His immense eye for detail is on full show and the sheer scope of images that haunt the mind are too many to list. Aiding him is Freddie Young’s atmospheric and sublime cinematography and the iconic Maurice Jarre score, which features the lilting ‘Lara’s Theme’. Special mention must go to production designer for his sets which are striking in every way . With Lean at the helm with ever meticulous style, all these elements make Doctor Zhivago a visual masterpiece. Memorable scenes abound like the dragoon attack on peaceful protesters, a perilous train journey and Lara and Yuri’s getaway in an ice-covered dacha. Many have accused this movie of oversimplifying events during the Revolution and to some extent, it does do that. But it’s not to any detriment of the movie and as so much happened in the Revolution and War, it would be impossible to cover everything. Instead, we are at least given an understanding of a country changing rapidly and the impact it has on lives. Robert Bolt’s screenplay gets to the centre of upheaval and makes it accessible for the audience to follow in the films long running time. And what events they are as the Revolution and World War I alter the world irreversibly and the romance at the heart is tested at every turn. It’s not aiming to be a factual lesson, but it still has enough clout at capture the ups and downs of life at the time of World War I and the Russian Revolution. The starkness of the times is deeply felt as the world undergoes significant change. And it brings with it great emotion, especially in the thwarted and doomed romance of Zhivago and Lara. If you don’t feel at least moved by the movie, you must have a heart of ice.
Omar Sharif quietly conveys the longings and sensitive nature of the title character. Some may say he seems like a bystander in his own story, but Zhivago as played by Sharif is very much alive, especially when in the company of his beloved Lara. It’s all in his eyes and how they react to the world around him. The lovely Julie Christie supplies the inspiration and romance of the film with her turn as Lara. With her face(which my Grandfather said was made for cinema), you can witness the growth of a woman from vulnerable girl to passionate survivor over the course of the film. And she looks so beautiful in this movie; those blue eyes and prominent cheekbones complimenting her serene and soulful delivery of muse to. Understated passion is her biggest triumph that she contributes to events. Plus, her chemistry with Sharif is palpable and extremely convincing as the love story plays our against fate and time. Geraldine Chaplin has a radiant and almost motherly quality that she brings to the screen, while the excellent Tom Courtenay captures the anguish and loss of morality of a revolutionary forever altered by the brutality he encounters. Rod Steiger is a huge standout as the loathsome but not altogether evil Komarovsky. He’s a slime ball who sides with anyone he can in order to make his way, but Steiger discovers a certain level of humanity beneath the leering and vindictive face of the man. And rounding out the main players is the ever reliable Alec Guinness, who functions as narrator.
Passionate, full-blooded and breathtakingly beautiful, Doctor Zhivago has David Lean displaying all his talents and sense of epic vision.
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raistlin0903 said:
An absolutely amazing film, and exactly as you wrote: an epic in nearly every sense of the word. I’ve seen it years ago, but it was a movie that just worms it’s way into your thoughts, never to leave there again. Great post as always! 😊
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vinnieh said:
It’s so epic and grand. Breathtaking cinema of the highest echelon. It has images that stick in the mind forever.
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maddylovesherclassicfilms said:
Excellent post, V. This is truly an epic and stunning film. This isn’t one of my favourite David Lean films, but it is one that I admire. The score and photography are both stunning. You are right in what you and your grandad say about Julie Christie’s face, she conveys so much with just a look alone, such a good actress. Thanks so much for taking part.
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vinnieh said:
I always remember my Grandfather saying that and he was right. She says so much with her eyes, which are arresting. Thanks for doing this blogathon.
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Realweegiemidget Reviews said:
Great post, I reviewed the trailer for this for the blogathon and hoped so much to relive watching the whole film. Seems I’ve done this sooner than I think with this great post. Hope you able to join me for my Lee Grant blogathon wouldnt be the same without you.
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vinnieh said:
I;ll check out your post on the trailer. It’s a marvellous movie of gorgeous scope.
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Eddy Winko said:
I don’t know why but I thought about this film recently, thinking that I had never seen it, so I appreciate your review, I’ll be making the effort to find a copy.
Oddly enough I remember my mum going to see it at the pictures and not arriving home till well past the normal 10pm closing of the cinema 🙂 It’s a big film in more ways than one, I hope I like it 🙂
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vinnieh said:
Yes it’s a big film alright. Huge in scope and vision. The romance is gorgeous too.
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sonofabeach96 said:
Even though I’m not a big fan of musicals, this film is much more than just that. Haven’t seen it in years, but it’s a classic.
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vinnieh said:
It’s hard to escape this movie. Once it starts, you get sucked in.
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Elizabeth said:
Oh no. Now I have the theme music stuck in my head.
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vinnieh said:
It’s so memorable and romantic.
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beetleypete said:
Who doesn’t love this epic, overblown romantic drama? Julie looks gorgeous, and the supporting cast are all on top form. Then you get the cadets being led to their deaths in battle, and even the armoured train.
“STRELNIKOV!”
I saw it on release at the cinema in London’s West End, taken as a treat, by my parents. I do prefer some of Lean’s other films though, it has to be said. Especially ‘Great Expectations’, ‘Oliver Twist’, and ‘Lawrence of Arabia’.
Cheers mate, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
It’s an epic in every sense of the word. Lean once again on grand and large scale form. Julie Christie is so beautiful, those eyes and cheekbones are heavenly.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Epic is the perfect word for this classic!
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vinnieh said:
They don’t me them like they used to.
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ninvoid99 said:
This is an amazing film and certainly one of Lean’s best as I’m still going through his filmography as there’s still some early work I have to delve into before I start work on his Auteurs piece in November.
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vinnieh said:
He’s got so many classics in his catalogue. Looking forward to that auteurs post.
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Kurian said:
What a beautiful movie Vinnieh
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vinnieh said:
It’s mesmerising and gorgeous.
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Vigour of Film Lines said:
After reading this, I have to se it. Thank you!
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vinnieh said:
Oh it’s a must see.
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alexraphael said:
A wonderful film and a great write up. What the word lavish was invented for. And Lara’s Theme 🙂
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vinnieh said:
Lavish is the perfect word for this movie. They seriously don’t make movies like this anymore.
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Laura Beth said:
I want to watch this again with my mom.
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vinnieh said:
Go for it, Laura Beth.
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Keith said:
This film popped into my head recently. I haven’t seen it in its entirety in ages and my wife has never seen it. We’ve been thinking about setting a night aside for it.
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vinnieh said:
Oh go for it. Set a few hours aside though.
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filmsCine said:
my Mum’s favourite movie 🙂 but guess what, I haven’t seen it! I certainly will now.
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vinnieh said:
Oh you have to see it. It’s a cinematic epic.
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