Doctor Zhivago (DVD, 2001, 2-Disc Set)

This movie has everything--great plot, great actors, great cinematography, great music, and great characterization. I never grow tired of this humble Russian doctor (Omar Sharif), who is caught up in so many frightening situations that are beyond his control. He seems to have everything going for him at first--adopted parents with a beautiful daughter, Tonia (Geraldine Chaplin) completely in love with him, a career as a doctor, and soon a son. But then comes along the Russian Revolution, of which he witnesses the gruesome bloodshed firsthand from a second storey window. Then comes World War I, where he serves as a doctor and meets the beautiful nurse Lara (Julie Christie). Then, we see his family trying to escape the Communists takeover with a long train ride to eastern Russia to get away from the confusion. And finally, his conscription by the Red partisan forces. He loses his wife, his son, but again meets Lara, who so fascinated him earlier. What happens at the end I won't say. The movie leaves you so satisfied but perplexed that you want to see it again and again.

Why Omar Sharif, Geraldine Chaplin, and Julie Christie did not win Academy Awards for their performances is the biggest mystery of the 1960's, when this movie was made. Only Tom Courtenay (Lara's husband Pasha Antipov/Strelnikov)was even nominated as Best Supporting Actor

For other Academy Awards, it actually won five deserved Oscars: Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Music, and Best Screenplay from Another Medium. The haunting "Lara's Theme" also known as "Somewhere My Love" will haunt you for days.

The movie was also nominated for Best Director (David Lean), Best Editing (Norman Savage), and Best Picture of 1965.

Also included on this DVD set is a memorable interview with Omar Sharif about the making of the movie. David Lean, the director, chose him because of his outstanding performance in "Lawrence of Arabia" but had to adjust his hairline to make him look more Russian. Another feature interviews David Lean about his perspectives of the movie including making the movie in Spain and Finland. The house in Varykino, for example, was made of Elmer's glue--not ice. Very interesting stuff for a person who loves this movie.

This movie remains timeless! And many of my contemporaries also name this movie as their favorite movie! It was definitely the movie of the baby boomer generation.

This movie has it all!!

Great film (directed by David Lean and released in 1965) based on the 1957 Russian novel by Boris Pasternak. It takes place during 1912-1921, which includes the Russian Revolution and World War I. It stars the Egyptian actor Omar Sharif, as the title character, as well as other acting greats Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin, Rod Steiger, Alec Guinness and Tom Courtenay. It won five Academy awards (Best Art Direction; Best Cinematography; Best Writing; Best Costume; and Best Score) and was nominated for five others (Best Picture; Best Supporting Actor; Best Director; Best Editing; and Best Sound). The sound track remains a classic today. It is a must-see film, but is very long. Unfortunately, the DVD is no longer being produced.

Doctor Zhivago is David Lean 's measured and beautiful adaptation of Boris Pasternak 1958-acclaimed novel. Made in 1965 and winner of five Academy Awards, starring Omar Sharif and Julie Christie, Doctor Zhivago is a cinematic masterpiece, a visually stunning and expressively powerful love story set in the foreground of life in Russia during the latter days of Czarist Russia and the turmoil of the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917.

The film features gorgeous landscape and romantic scenes set to Maurice Jarre's haunting music. Lean uses Panavision cinematography to boast his landscapes that are often remote and cold is contrasted with the emotional fires burning within Zhivago and Lara -- a romanticized version of an illicit relationship without moral dilemmas or conflicts. The romance is amid the opulence of Russia before the war and the violent social upheaval that followed. Like many Russians, Zhivago's life is swept away with the radical currents of the Revolution.

It is a relatively simple story at the core, it takes on a dense structure because of the events of 1917.

Hi! I'm 65 years old. I saw the movie with my mother and father when it premeired. We had to stand in a long line to get in. It was in a new format called Cinamascope!
Over the years I've seen the movie many times. I bought the movie about two month ago, on DVD.
I am a movie fan! All types of movies, new and old! I own hundreds of VCR's and DVD's. Being an only child my baby sitter was the movie theaters when I was growing up!
Doctor Zhivago is perhaps one of the greatest movies of all time. It combines the elements of a classic love story, a beautiful moving sound track, fantastic photography and landscapes, sweping one along in the important world changing events of the Russian revolution.
These events as seen through the eyes of the young poet and Doctor, Zhivago! His half brother Alec Guiness tells the story. A great cast!
This master peice should be seen by everyone. True, it is a movie for mature audiances due to the nature of the story!

Although this original movie was released in 1965, it is still a classic and one of my most favorite, epics of all time. Throughout the movie Dr. Zhivago (Omar Sharif) is torn between his childhood sweetheart and faithful wife, Tanya (Geraldine Chaplin) and his yearning, passionate love for Lara (Julie Christie). The backdrop takes us through the hardships and trials of the Russian Revolution. The music, by Maurice Jarre, is haunting and unforgettable. The scenery is phenomenal and the costumes are divine. Don’t miss this marvelous tale, directed by David Lean.