Still enjoyable -- almost 50 years later...

Rating: 8/10 (31 July 2012)

I am often of the opinion that the movies depicting specific historical events should be made in the country they occurred. In most cases, foreign filmmakers and actors have difficulties in comprehending nuances, their physical appearance is different and landscape is not genuine. "Doctor Zhivago" is a pleasant exception -- as the signs were in Russian, I used to forget the language the actors spoke and found myself deeply in the fascination of Russian types and nature (btw, I speak Russian and have traveled there a lot). It is totally realistic - thanks to the original author coming from and living in Russia, but making such a film in the Soviet Union was out of the question - or the "Reds" would have been positive figures only and many scenes left out totally.
All actors (mostly non-U.S.) are great and the main cast has won several awards and fame later on. And last but not least - Lara's Theme by Maurice Jarre, one of the finest film music pieces, known today as well.