Alec Guinness, Geraldine Chaplin, Jeffrey Rockland

Sweeping epic about a Russian doctor pursuing the woman he loves during Russia's turbulent political changes of World War I, the Bolshevik Revolution and Communism's rise to power.

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85% liked it

38,457 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

30 critics

PG-13, 3 hrs. 17 min.

Directed by: David Lean

Release Date: December 22, 1965

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DVD Release Date: January 1, 1998

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Flixster Reviews (2,039)


  • January 12, 2009
    a revolution gone wrong and romance beyond hope. an epic of these two themes. how beautiful is julie christie? the film itself is also beautifully shot. i thought rod steiger was brilliant as the generally depraved character. as for omar sharif he still manages to annoy me. the s...( read more)cene with the christmas tree being erected and lara firing off the gun is the most memorable due to it being where all the main characters first converge. slow going but worth the watch. appreciated by the time the credits roll
  • November 8, 2008
    From Pasternak's sweeping epic novel, set in the World War I and the Bolshevik Revolution It's strenght lies in it's portraal of the realities of life in Russia after the 1917 Communist Revolution. The most memorable thing of all is the romantic score.
  • September 6, 2008
    I'll list a couple of points.

    Pros:
    1) Beautifully shot. Great talent behind the camera, and breathtaking scenery.
    2) Omar Sharif. He portrays an emotional character without getting sentimental.
    3) Script.

    Cons:
    1) Lara's character. I mean, she's very beautiful, but not the typ...( read more)e men would become obsessed with. She spends her life being manipulated by a series of men. The reasonable response would be pity, not a wild occupation with someone so weak.
    2) Though the theme song is relaxing, I felt somewhat sick of it after the 11th time it was played throughout the film.

    In total, the pros outweigh the cons. Three - and - a - half seems acceptable to me.
  • March 7, 2008
    Long, Long, Long love story involving using the history of Russia and its transformation to the USSR as a backdrop. Good film, might doze off a bit.
  • February 17, 2008
    To me Dr Zhivago is an unforgettable movie. Following one amazing person through a period before, during and after Russia's Bolshevik revolution. I've always loved the music as well. One of my top ten movies.
  • November 18, 2009
    OK film, but it is a classic.
  • November 18, 2009
    Does it have many Waltz's?

    It's arrived... just got to watch!
  • November 16, 2009
    This movie disappointed me. It didn't have anything that show an epic love story. I didn't like besides it is so long. You should see only if you want to know a little bit about the russian history.
  • November 16, 2009
    More than simply the quintessential love story of two people, this is a love story for a lost homeland. Many complain that this film is too long, but I would argue it only feels that way when watched with the wrong motives: this is about survival through finding love. It's not ab...( read more)out what's going to happen, but rather witnessing normal people from different classes cope with the political upheaval that is shattering their world. Lean shows us slices of Russian society from the very poor to the very rich, and the disparity of wealth which is the core reason behind the revolution. He doesn't shy away from the revolt's brutality either; in fact Zhivago's gentle and selfless nature serves to contrast with the violence around him, drawing more attention to its ugliness. Maurice Jarre's yearning score tugs at our heartstrings and if one were to romanticize, one could interpret the blanketing white landscapes as a metaphor for Zhivago's pure soul... and therein may lie a flaw - Zhivago seems too good to be true. Yet, underneath the horrors of war still lies the land he loves and Freddie Young's breathtaking cinematography captures it beautifully (a perfectionist, Lean would often wait for weeks for the perfect light). Seeing Russia through Zhivago's eyes, one can't help but fall in love with it too.
  • November 8, 2009
    Another classic I fee like I am supposed to like. Was good to see, but I don't nee to see it again soon...

Critic Reviews


January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Although its portentous historical drama evaporates once you return to the fresh air, watching it can be seductive. full review

View more Doctor Zhivago reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


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    December 9, 2008
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  • 1HotGrandma
    July 26, 2007
    I'M NOT A HUGE LOVE STORY MOVIE BUFF. BUT THERE ARE A FEW THAT HAVE REALLY TOUCHED ME AND DR. ZHIVAGO IS ONE OF THOSE TRUE CLASSIC LOVE STORIES. A MUST SEE FOR THOSE WHO TRULY ENJOY A GREAT LOVE STORY.
  • NORTHEASTJULIET
    June 3, 2007
    Dr Zhivago is a true classic movie, & one of my favorites. Zhivago (Sharif) is torn between the love of two women. His wife, (Chaplin) a sweet,and devoted woman, or Lara, (Christie) the beautiful woman he loves, & desires with all his heart, & soul.
    The beautiful song "Lara's Theme" originated from Dr Zhivago. I highly recommend this movie to anyone that have not seen it. Beautifully done!

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Doctor Zhivago Trivia


  • Who is Doctor Zhivago ?  Answer »
  • 'Ah, then it's a gift.' Is a quote from which 1965 film? (Omar Sharif/julie christie is in this movie,set in Russia)  Answer »
  • How many academy awards did "Doctor Zhivago" 1965 win ?  Answer »
  • 'Ah, then it's a gift.' -- 1965 (Hint: Omar Sharif is in this movie.)  Answer »

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