Review of Doctor Zhivago (1965) by John E — 03 Apr 2011

Once again David Lean proves that he is the master of the epic genre. Unlike Lawrence of Arabia, which was an epic action/adventure in the most bombastic way, Doctor Zhivago is an epic of the human heart, the power of its emotions and the effect love has on people.

Doctor Zhivago trades sand for snow but Lean's unmatched eye for imagery beautifully captures the Russian landscapes and vistas. The acting is all phenomenal, the music as potent and moving as in "Lawrence" and its considerable length seemed nothing to me as I was engrossed by what I was watching.

The movie is a good deal more sad than Lawrence of Arabia since the effects of love damage and hurt every major character in the movie as their love goes unrequited or unfulfilled. Lawrence of Arabia felt more "epic" per se, but Lean adroitly balances intimate indoor scenes with sweeping, moving landscapes.

He is a great balance between Hitchcock's fondness for the indoor drama, and John Ford's sheer power from portraying outdoor scenery. As soon as I finished watching this movie, I went out and bought it.

It's fantastic and so rare to see a movie that can be this long, complex, and expensive shine brilliantly as a master example of filmmaking rather than collapsing under its own weight or sense of importance.

I eagerly look forward to more of Lean's epics.