Doctor Zhivago (2003)

Mostly better than the original movie

Doctor Zhivago is a romance story, a love triangle really, set with the Russian Revolution of 1917 as the primary backdrop. The story begins in Doctor Zhivago's childhood in the Russian countryside. His father commits suicide and Zhivago is taken to Moscow by aristocratic relatives to live. He attends medical school and becomes a fine physician but he prefers to write poetry. He marries and has children but he soon secures a mistress. As Zhivago isn't Kosher with the Bolsheviks (Communists), he chooses to move his family back to his rural homeplace which is a battleground between the competing revolutionary factions. There are many dark characters in this story but one in particular has a hold over Zhivago's mistress which causes a great deal of additional chaos in Zhivago's miserable life.

In addition to being a well-told and fascinating story, this version of Pasternak's masterpiece stays very close to the original book, moreso than does the famous earlier film version. The two are difficult to compare as the original film was more "art" while this one is more of a straightforward story. For the most part, I prefer this version, noting at the same time that the original film is incredible.

Here are some reasons that I like the mini-series version of Doctor Zhivago:
1. There are more "great scenery" shots.

2. The sets and locations are more realistic.

3. It's beautifully filmed in letterbox format.

4. The filmscore is tremendous, quite appropriate to what you are viewing.

5. Unlike many mini-series, this is film and doesn't look like videotape.

6. The characters are superbly cast and the story is well-acted. These's not so much "focus on a particular star" as there is in the original film.

7. You get more of an actual sense as to what was going on with the common Russian people during this brutal revolutionary period.

8. This film is quite long and I enjoyed every minute -- it doesn't drag at all.

If the film had a shortcoming for me, I felt that the director inserted an unnecessary amount of raw sexual scenes to make his point. In other words, Doctor Zhivago becomes less "romantic" in this film and more of a "lustful" figure. But, that is a subjective point on which others might take a differing position.

To summarize, don't miss the opportunity to see this wonderful film shot in beautiful letterbox cinematography. The only way to see this one properly is on a widescreen TV! December 14, 2007

So-So Siberian Romance

Boris Pasternak's "Doctor Zhivago",when it was first released in the '60s,was an epic love story daring to question the Soviet regime. It was beautifully realized in David Lean's epic movie starring Omar Sharif as the romantic poet/doctor,Julie Christie as his muse Lara,and Geraldine Chaplin as his wife Tonya. "Lara's Theme",its sentimental theme,made its way into popular consciousness.

Nearly three decades later, Masterpiece Theater did its own remake,attempting to be truer to the original story. Hans Matheson gives a passable performance as Zhivago,while perpetually pouting Keira Knightley is a passive Lara. Despite the fairly graphic lovemaking scenes (for some reason,set in a bedroom with tons of shining candelabras,a fire hazard),they lack the fire of passion. You see the sex (unlike the Lean version),but there's not much love or eroticism. There is also intrusive historical newsreel footage,turning the Zhivago-Lara-Tonya love triangle into a quasi-documentary.

However,the Doctor Zhivago does have some strengths,namely,its supporting cast. Lara's ex-husband comes to realize his error in getting swept up with the Communist Revolution. Sam Neill is a seductive villain,not as campy as Rod Steiger. He gives evil a smiling face. In the end,he has Lara under his spell. Alexandra Lara is touching as Tonya,who sees letting her husband having an affair with Lara as a wifely duty. She gives Tonya a genuine loving and longing for her husband.

Masterpiece Theater's "Doctor Zhivago" makes for engrossing dramatic viewing. It lacks the dramatic scope of David Lean's epic,but it is a made-for-TV movie,and it shows. It still entertains and moves in its epic of a poet/doctor who loves his women and loves his freedom in the face of tyranny. October 14, 2007

An Authentic Zhivago

It is as much a mistake as it is inevitable to compare this television adaptation to the 1965 David Lean film. I adore the Lean film. However, my affection for it doesn't diminish my appreciation of this television version directed by Giacomo Campiotte. There are no epic vistas, the architecture is less grand the camera is closer, which may be as much a limitation of the medium as it is an artistic vision but which ever it is, it works.
There is more time in a television miniseries, time to explore nuances that have to be lost in the shorter film. We see closely the horrors of the First World War and the subsequent Revolution in Russia. These are not mere backdrops, but powerful environments that mold, in many ways, the fates of the characters, chief of which in the popular imagination is Larisa Antipova, Lara.
I do not think it should be held against Kiera Knightly, as some have done, that she is not Julie Christy. Kiera Knightly doesn't play her as a pure victim; this Lara is a survivor. She was not seduced by Komorovsky. She decided to do what was needed. Komorovsky was a powerful man and she needed to keep him interested in the welfare of her family. That consciousness, that distancing, paradoxically, allows her to retain her innocence. It also makes her a more complex character, less radiant, perhaps, but more accessible. It is not lust that moves her, nor is it helplessness. Zhivago is quite right in saying he could not have loved her if she had no regrets, for even though she loathed Komorovsky, yet she did enjoy his sexual talents as long as she had to endure them.
Lara is a catalyst. Like the novel, like Mother Russia herself, Lara's character takes on the essence of how she is perceived and interpreted by the men in her life. There is a line in the Lean film where Zhivago shows Lara a poem about her. She says, "This is not me; it's you." To Komorvsky, she is a slut. To Pasha, she is a despoiled woman. To Zhivago she is an earthy saint. To herself, though, she is all of these and more. For this interpretation of her character, Kiera Knightly is perfect.
There are few, if any, sour notes among the actors.
The use of actual footage of the Russian Revolution may have been dictated by budgetary considerations, but it is also an excellent artistic choice, fully grounding the story in history and providing an authentic environment to contain the story.
Now, I wish the Russian version of this wonderful story were available with English titles.
September 11, 2007

New is not always bad.

I too prefer this version.

But I am odd-man out because I never loved the original screen adaptation. Perhaps because although full of great talents, it failed to make me care about the characters. I did love the "making of" footage on the collector's edition I bought, but the film never impressed me. Like many of the other reviewers I have a great deal of respect for Julie Christie as an actress but her performance fell flat, which I blame on the director. Lean may have been great at epic scope, but making an audience connect with and understand the main characters seems not to have been his focus, in this project at least.

This new Zhivago does not leave you scratching your head wondering why it's such a celebrated love story. Yes that is due mostly to having more time for the story to unfold. We get to know the characters and sympathize with them. This version gave me a much greater respect for Tonya, and made Yuri's struggle between his passion for Lara and his devotion to Tonya plainer to the viewer. Andrew Davies (writer) has a brilliant talent for bringing the essence of a story to the screen in the miniseries format.

The real stand out for me (other than the always delightful Sam Neill) was Kris Marshall. He was a brilliant Pasha. A far cry from the dorky Colin of "Love Actually." He is also great in "The Merchant of Venice" with Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons.

The comparisons I have seen of "Matheson to Sharif" and "Knightley to Christie" have been inappropriate. Acting, though essentially the same, was done in a rather different style back when the original was made. Rather wooden compared to some modern interpretations (not a statement of quality, just saying I'm used to something different). This was not always the case but I consider it as good a reason as any why two such great artists as Christie and Sharif failed to move me in that film. I'm not entirely convinced those who criticize the new leads by comparing them with the old aren't looking more at the lifetime of work the former actors have to their credit, rather than their specific performances in Dr. Zhivago. "Luminosity" can be acheived with proper makeup and lighting.

One might also consider what the filmmakers intended to convey. If their goals are acheived, it should be considered an accomplishment regardless of personal taste.

In honesty I must admit that I have not yet been brave enough to tackle the book. Something about Russian drama in literature intimidates me, I suppose.

I don't expect anyone to go by my review really. I simply offer my opinions to counter those I see here with which I disagree. See the film for yourself and decide. There is no law that says anyone must love any adaptation. March 22, 2007

Dark, haunting and beautiful...A wonderful adaptation!

It has been almost a whole decade since I read the Boris Pasternak classic novel this miniseries is based on and I admit that my memory of the book was kind of sketchy, but having watched this gorgeous adaptation has brought it all back to me. I have read some novels set during the Russian Revolution. The last one I read with the aforementioned setting was an erotic novel called The Captivation. Most of the books I've read based on revolutionary Russia glossed over the events, but Pasternak gave a clear and disturbing image of everything that went on. Doctor Zhivago is brought to life with a unique love story set against the backdrop of one of the most memorable wars in history. Hans Matheson plays Dr. Yuri Zhivago -- a young man whose main passions are caring for his patients and writing poetry. He marries the young woman he grows up with (Alexandra Maria Lara) and has two children with her. During the revolution and the first world war, he is driven apart from his family. He reunites with them only to become exiles. When Zhivago meets and falls for Lara (Keiran Knightley), he is torn between honor and duty for his wife and his passionate love for Lara. Lara has gone through many things herself. She tries to get away from the man who takes away her innocence (Sam Neill) and marries a young man who becomes obsessed with the revolution (Kriss Marshall). Through almost four hours in this powerful miniseries, we see the struggles the star-crossed lovers go through during the midst of the revolution, and how their love survives in spite of the obstacles.

I never saw the 1965 film version so I cannot make any comparisons. In fact, I am glad I haven't watched the previous film because I cannot help compare the old and new works. All I can say is that once again Andrew Davies has done a marvelous job adapting another classic. This miniseries is dark, poignant and haunting and it has affected me a great deal. There are disturbing scenes here that stay in your mind long after you've watched them. People have complained about British actors in what is supposed to be a Russian film, speaking with an English accent instead of using a Russian accent, but I think the actors chosen have done a wonderful job. And I'd rather hear them speak with their natural way instead of using a phony Russian accent that would probably make them sound silly and in turn drag you out of the story and dialogue. Hans Matheson is wonderful as Dr. Yuri Zhivago. He brings his conflicting emotions to life. Even though I am not a big fan of Keiran Knightley, I think she is wonderful as Lara. Alexandra Maria Lara is very pretty and turns in an engaging performance playing Tonya, Yuri's wife. Sam Neill plays the villainous Victor Komarovsky with aplomb. He is hateful and ammoral and you hate him from beginning to end. The most surprising actor here, however, is Kriss Marshall. Having seen him in the BBC sitcom My Family and in the movie Love, Actually, he struck me more as a comic actor, but I see that he has a wide range of acting skills and I was suitably amazed by his performance. As for other aspects of the film, the early twentieth century setting and the backdrop of the Russian Revolution are quite wonderful, haunting and beautiful. Well, the scenes related to the revolution are quite graphic at times, but I'm glad about that. I get tired of watching films where they gloss over these important events. I love this story centered on star-crossed romance and heartbreak. I felt awful for Tonya for losing Yuri to Lara, but I always got the feeling that his affections for her were more brotherly than romantic, for they grew up together. Lara is the proverbial flawed, tragic heroine and she moved me to the core. As said before, Knightley isn't one of my favorite actresses but she does succeed in moving me here. All in all, I love Doctor Zhivago. This is a must-have for your DVD collection. The other reviewers have piqued my interest and I think I shall give the 1965 film a whirl as well. November 16, 2006

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