Review of Doctor Zhivago (1965) by D B — 21 Jun 2009

The acting here was absolutely phenomenal. Even the minor characters were portrayed flawlessly. Omar Sharif was perfect in the lead role, with Julie Christie at his side. Alec Guinness was a fantastic choice for the characters who narrates much of the story.

His voice, along with an amazing script, really set the tone for the movie. As usual, David Lean's direction was outstanding. The cinematography was similarly impressive, effectively utilizing war torn cities, cramped interiors, and the vast Russian countryside.

Some of the exterior shots of the farmhouse during a cold winter's night were breathtaking. The DVD was also impressive. The audio was good, but not great. The audio was mostly clear and understandable, although a few sequences could have been a little cleaner.

The video was suprisingly clear and vivid. I nearly forgot I was watching a movie filmed 40 years ago! The print was clean with no visible damage. The detail was astounding and the colors leaped off the screen.

I noticed a few instances of what appeared to be some minor edge enhancement, but it wasn't obvious enough to be distracting. Doctor Zhivago has a lot going for it and it's hard not to like. The script and acting are top notch, and David Lean brings the story to life in the way only his accomplished hands can.