Doctor Zhivago

Doctor Zhivago (1965)

Genres - Drama, Romance, Language & Literature, War  |   Sub-Genres - Romantic Epic, Historical Epic, Period Film  |   Release Date - Dec 31, 1965 (USA), Sep 6, 2012 (USA - Rerelease)  |   Run Time - 200 min.  |   Countries - United Kingdom, Italy, United States  |   MPAA Rating - PG
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson

Based on the Nobel Prize-winning novel by Boris Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago covers the years prior to, during, and after the Russian Revolution, as seen through the eyes of poet/physician Yuri Zhivago (Omar Sharif). In the tradition of Russian novels, a multitude of characters and subplots intertwine within the film's 197 minutes (plus intermission). Zhivago is married to Tonya (Geraldine Chaplin), but carries on an affair with Lara (Julie Christie), who has been raped by ruthless politician Komarovsky (Rod Steiger). Meanwhile, Zhivago's half-brother Yevgraf (Alec Guinness) and the mysterious, revenge-seeking Strelnikoff (Tom Courteney) represent the "good" and "bad" elements of the Bolshevik revolution. Composer Maurice Jarre received one of Doctor Zhivago's five Oscars, with the others going to screenwriter Robert Bolt, cinematographer Freddie Young, art directors John Box and Terry Marsh, set decorator Dario Simoni, and costumer Phyllis Dalton. The best picture Oscar, however, went to The Sound of Music.

Characteristics

Keywords

revolution, civil-war, doctor, love-triangle, exile, extramarital-affair, poetry, Russian [nationality], separation

Attributes

High Artistic Quality, High Historical Importance