Review of Doctor Zhivago (1965) by Vijay R — 15 Dec 2011

No words to describe this masterpiece of a movie.

Boris Pasternak my god with one of the finest writings in the contemporary Russian literature, partners David Lean and it leaves a fantastic movie called Dr. Zhivago. They say, good literature cannot be converted in to great movies and vice versa and obviously the literature was better but still what a movie.

The performances of Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin, Rod Stegier, Tom Courtenay and almost all left me dumbfounded . These days its impossible to stuff up a huge star case and pull out terrific performance never mind shooting a love story set up in a politically explosive Russia out of a controversial masterpiece of a bestseller from Pasternak combined with a brilliant story telling from David Lean.

The most important life line of this movie remains Maurice Jarre and his entire background scores. The Laura theme,cannot remember how many times I've heard that same music in my life may 300 or 400 but it can break down any man. His entire back ground scores that takes us through the Urals, Poland and finally to Moscow (actually shot in Paris) , acute expressions of actors, communists...the music narrates the story by itself without dialogues.

David lean hangs on to the entire political turbulence in Russia starting from the Bolsheviks revolution to the rise of left wingers through out the movie with the humanity and love theme also running in parallel. Its almost impossible to separate one from the other...whether its a political movie set up on the back drop of a love story or a love story set up on the backdrop of a political turbulence its almost impossible to make a call.

Its a really a five star movie, there are handful of other movies that can clock the counter but none can be better.

Also its a real shame these some plastic movies with plastic themes, bundled with graphics are getting a rating of above 90 yet this masterpiece that swept all honors when it got released remains at 85%. Has the taste of the current day audience is gradually degenerating these days? Its hard to answer.

PS When I watched this movie few years back, I was really proud there was an indian touch. Julie Christe was born in India, from the cinematic view a real honour for the country to be associated with this great movie.