Le Docteur Jivago

A great romantic film of my heart. Impressive cut-outs from Russian (Soviet) history, the riveting Omar Sharif, the beautiful Julie Christie and an ending that put me out of commission for two days. It's really long, but every minute just intensifies the tide of emotion... Plus, for an American film, the "Soviet" atmosphere is very convincing. These types of films are no longer made. For me, it’s one of Hollywood's highlights, compared to which The English Patient is just a heap of hideously cheesy snapshots. (25/01/2004)

Once again, this is one of those highly acclaimed blockbusters from the past that I shrug my shoulders at and say that I see it completely differently. Pasternak's novel, which played a key role in winning the Nobel Prize, is quite different. Lean adapted it to his liking and conceived it as a monumental fresco of the period of revolution and civil war. But despite the exhausting duration, when I started losing strength after two hours, it was still too fragmented and schematic for me. It is that simplistic view for overseas audiences who don't want to delve into the history of other nations and cultures. Let's throw in some fateful love, revolutionaries, and a few war scenes, and everyone will take something from it. In many comments, there are sentences like "excellent portrayal of Russian realities by American standards" - but that really is just by American standards. I have read Bulgakov, Babel, and many others, and I don't feel that the screenwriter and director hit the mark. The romance is so forced and pathetic, and somehow simply only fits into the monumental blockbuster. I would prefer a more intimate approach and treatment of the material in the form of a multi-part series. In this form, it reminds me too much of Woody Allen's famous film Love and Death, where he openly made fun of similar grand epic novels and Russian realities. Overall impression: 40%. (03/06/2012)

I can't help comparing this film to The English Patient. It’s similarly conceived, with almost identically beautiful footage of nature and a great love story with a not so idyllic happy ending. But David Lean is a generation apart from Anthony Minghella, and this is reflected in the long takes, the starched emotions and, above all, the monstrous running time, which is quite often inexcusable. Is not that Doctor Zhivago isn’t pompous, it’s expensively produced, well-directed, and on top of that a fairly meticulous depiction of the turbulent history of early 20th century Russia. But if it was cut down by half an hour of camera pans and overlong facial expressions, it would be much more enjoyable for the viewer. (02/07/2023)

If David Lean hadn't made Lawrence of Arabia three years before Zhivago, this masterpiece would quite possibly be my favourite film of all time. Pure magnificent epic! The hackneyed phrase "they don't make films like this anymore" definitely applies here. (23/03/2009)

An unforgettable experience with everything that has always made Lean's films legendary. The sweeping and spectacular story of a man plagued by love for two beautiful women in the Bolshevik heyday, filmed with a verve perhaps unique to Master Lean and supported by exceptional sets, music and, of course, the performances of the charismatic Sharif and the gorgeous Christie. Everything adds up and fits together so well that the 190 minutes are not enough and I would have welcomed some more. Dr. Zhivago does not surpass Bridge on the River Kwai or Lawrence of Arabia, but they are all at least equal siblings. 95% (01/04/2013)

A magnificent blockbuster that may be a bit exaggerated, but on the other hand, it has a beautiful storyline that you can follow. The characters are wonderfully portrayed and will not bore you. This is a world that is not difficult to imagine, emotions that are not at all difficult to experience. Ultimately, what bothered me the most was that English was spoken here at all costs. (20/05/2015)