Dr.Zhivago

This was an utterly compelling interpretation which really captured the spirit of the Pasternak novel.I appreciated the almost architectural beauty and large landscape of the David Lean film of my generation, yet there was an emotional intensity and a depth of character exploration in this version which was missing from the earlier film. The central characters were complex and believable and not understated icons in an icy landscape. Sam Neill as Komarovsky was a compelling figure and this time you could see why Lara was attracted to him despite the abusive nature of their relationship.Pasternak's central character, Yuri Zhivago,was depicted as a passionate but not bombastic hero. Hans Matheson captured the almost passive poetic romantic whose emotions are torn by the situations in which he finds himself which are reflected in the age of political tumoil that surrounds him.Strong performances by Keira Knightley as Lara and Alexandra Maria Lara as Tanya gave real substance to the tensions he experiences.I had never heard of Keira Knightley when I first saw this production and was amazed at the range which her intelligent acting achieved.Her real age was consistent with that of the young Lara yet she convincingly bridged the gap to the young mother of the later part of the novel. The love scenes were tender, yet passionate and Director Giacomo Campiotti is to be congratulated on his sensitive rendering of these.The relationship between Yuri and Lara truly reflected the sadness of Pasternak's poem,"The Parting."I only bought the DVD after almost casually coming across this made for TV movie on the box.It's emotional landscape and authentic sets are strong enough to warrant a proper release at the cinema.I suspect Boris Pastenak would have much preferred it to the David Lean film and so did I !

The first time I saw Doctor Zhivago was last year when Granda played it on ITV1. I am a romantic at heart and when seeing the advert portraying it as the greatest love story ever told I knew I couldn't miss it.After watching it over several weeks I could't get enough, I laughed and I cried and I felt angry because this film allows you to feel all emotions.When it ended I felt numb for a few days the actors played thier parts brilliant and the young girl who played Lara was fantastic at the age of 17 she is brilliant.Hans Matherson who plays yuri is a believable character so when he dies at the end it is devastating.The film istself is set in a very beautiful part of Russia and the directors shots are stunning.For anyone thinking of buying this wonderful film I would say you must its a story of love and betrayl and war.

This film (in two parts) is incredible. The cinematography is beautiful, the acting impeccable, and the soundtrack by Ludovico Einaudi is a both stunning and haunting at the same time. The story flows well, the backdrops of the Russian Revolution and the First World War are well portrayed, and their effect on the main protagonists' lives is utterly compelling. You feel something for each character, whether it be empathy with Yury and Lara, pity or sorrow for Tonya and Pasha, or bitterness and contempt towards Komarovsky. Every character stirs a range of emotions. This is a film that really touches the emotions to make you think about human nature, and wonder at how lives can be turned around by chance meetings, and the wider goings on of the world around you; how these events can be a blessing, but also how they can turn things upside down.This adaptation is also a very good realisation of the book, and portrays Pasternak's ideas well.Highly recommended!

This television adaptation was a worthy effort that does keep you watching but, as other reviewers have said, somewhat lacks the electric drama of Davd Lean's film. This is down partly to the tv version length, being longer and therefore the story more slowed down, but mostly due to the level of acting performance, some of which is good but some of which is somewhat underwhelming. I don't personally think Keira Knightly was the right choice for Lara as she seems too airy-fairy, and the Dr Zhivago actor wasn't exactly red hot either. The actors who portrayed these characters in the original film were older, and better conveyed the depth of drama to me. In spite of this this tv version was generally well done and had its good moments.

I really enjoyed the David Lean film but this one is also excellent

Questa versione televisiva del dottor Zivago merita assolutamente di essere vista, sia per l'intensità della recitazione ( Keira Knightley, Sam Neill e Hans Matheson sono tutti nomi che appartengono anche al grande schermo e si dimostrano eccezionali), sia per la bellissima e struggente storia. Perché vedere questa trasposizione se si è già vista quella più famosa con Omar Sharif e Julie Christie? Perché è meno edulcorata e più realistica, perché è più completa e ricca di avvenimenti, senza nulla togliere alla versione cinematografica già bellissima, ma più fiabesca e un po' datata. Qui il finale è più in linea con il libro, ma ci sono delle discrepanze come il nome e il sesso del figlio di Lara e Yuri. Alcune immagini sono decisamente crude e taluni avvenimenti talmente terribili da far comprendere in modo più chiaro per quale motivo questo libro non sia stato pubblicato in Unione Sovietica, se non dopo decenni dalla sua prima pubblicazione avvenuta in Italia negli anni '50. Il film è in inglese e ha i sottotitoli in inglese, pertanto perde un po' della sua atmosfera russa,ma in modo trascurabile, d'altronde anche la versione cinematografica non è in lingua russa...

Magnifique série-fleuve sur la Russie éternelle, entre tsarisme despotique agonisant et terreur communiste NKVDienne. La sensuelle et gracile Keira Knightley dans le rôle de Lara porte sur ses épaules ce film, bien entourée toutefois de Sam Neill, qui campe un inquiétant prédateur Komarovsky (avocat "koulak" retors survivant aux remous de l'Histoire avec forces retournements de vestes). Moins lyrique et coloré que la version de 1960, plus porté sur le spleen par la musique et les ambiances, ce téléfilm vous fait passer un bon (long) moment, et c'est vraiment ce qu'on demande.

名作「ドクトル・ジバゴ」の別の見方ができ、あらためてDVD（オマー・シャリフ主演）をモーリス・ジャールの名曲とともに鑑賞しました。感謝！

I purchased this movie based on other reviews, and do not regret my decision. Unfortunately, for the entire 225 minutes I kept waiting for "My Love (Lara's Theme)," the stirringly romantic theme indelibly chiseled into my mind for all time. But that is the signature of a true epic, and completely befitting David Lean's "Doctor Zhivago." On the other hand, this version of "Doctor Zhivago," directed by Giacomo Campiotti is everything else that Lean's film was not--except perhaps in terms of cinematography for which Lean's version won the Academy Award.While I truly enjoyed Omar Sharif as Dr. Yuri Zhivago, I do think that Hans Matheson's portrayal is far less Hollywood and more in line with Boris Pasternak's character in his book; albeit not as moving or powerful as Sharif's portrayal. Conversely, Keira Knightley's performance, poise, and grace put to shame Julie Christie's portrayal of Larisa (Lara) Antipova. I am more than surprised that her performance did not receive more critical attention. However, for me, the true surprise was Sam Neill's brilliance as Viktor Komarovsky. While many may disagree, I never did feel that Lean's choice of Rod Steiger as Viktor Komarovsky was an appropriate one. In my opinion, Sam Neill portrayed the Viktor Komarovsky that I envisioned in the book, and is one of his finest acting performances. The one character that falls extremely short in this version of "Doctor Zhivago" is Pavel "Pasha" Antipov (poorly played by Kris Marshall). In Pasternak's book (as well as Lean's film), Pasha is a far more developed character with a very strong story line. Why Giacomo Campiotti did not fully flush out the role of Pasha, I cannot say--or maybe it ended up on the "floor." On the other hand, it would be easy to contest that Keira Knightley's performance was a better use of time and film. (Note: While not a true character in the book, the character I remember most from Lean's production--maybe thanks to "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Star Wars"--is Sir Alec Guinness as Gen. Yevgraf Zhivago).Yuri Zhivago, adopted as a young boy by his future wife's family, is sensitive and poetic nearly to the point of mysticism. In medical school, one of his professors reminds him that bacteria may be beautiful under the microscope, but they do ugly things to people. Yuri Zhivago's idealism and principles are constantly challenged to the point of demoralization in the face of the horrors of World War I (where he meets Lara, who is a nurse, for the first time--almost love at first sight), the anger and purging of the Russian Revolution, and the insanity and chaos of the subsequent Russian Civil War. As Lara and Zhivago work together in a make shift "hospital" during the First World War, the two fall in love; but Yuri remains "faithful" to his wife. After the war Yuri Zhivago returns home to devastation and family ruin. Yuri and his wife decide to move to a country home their family owns, which by coincidence is near where Lara has moved in her search for Pasha. After considerable time, Yuri surrenders to his "desires" and seeks out Lara. Even though they had loved each other very much, they never consummated their relationship until Zhivago goes to her in the nearby town of Yuriatin after the Zhivago's have moved to the country. When Yuri's wife finds out, she leaves him for the city. Yuri and Lara struggle until Victor Komarovsky arrives. The events for the characters go "down hill" from that point on.A major theme of the novel is how the mysticism of things and idealism are destroyed by both the Bolsheviks and the White Army alike, as both sides commit horrible atrocities--and Giacomo Campiotti's "Doctor Zhivago" easily outstrips David Lean's portrayal of this important theme. Yuri witnesses the reality of trench warfare, including dismemberment, deprivation, and starvation suffered by both the "average" soldier and the civilian population during all of this turmoil. In the end, even the love of his life, Lara, is taken from him.All in all, "Doctor Zhivago" is a master piece that deserves greater appreciation and wider viewing. It is a wonderful evening of romantic, dramatic adventure.Please Note: If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks.