No Lawrence or Kwai, but still not bad

Rating: 7/10 (31 January 2006)

David Lean is a director famous for two types of films. Firstly, he made a lot of small-scale romance films back in the forties (the best of which being Brief Encounter), and secondly (and more importantly), he's known for directing sprawling epic films! The Bridge on the River Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia are more well known, and liked, than Doctor Zhivago; and for good reason, are both films are better than this one. That's not to say that Zhivago is a bad film, but it lacks the storytelling of Lawrence of Arabia, and the exciting action of The Bridge on the River Kwai. The film is based on the famous book by Boris Pasternak, and is a story that takes place during the Russian Revolution. More important than the setting is the story behind it, and Doctor Zhivago follows the story of doctor turned poet, Yuri Zhivago. In true epic fashion, we follow him throughout his life - from childhood, all the way up to adulthood where he finds himself at odds with the state, and his love life; as he, despite being married, still finds time to fall for a political activist's wife.
This film really shows David Lean's talent for epics, as regardless of being over three hours long; the film really doesn't feel like it, and that's thanks to the excellent plotting. Lean keeps the paced relaxed, and that ensures that the plot is easy to follow and always interesting, as the film never gets bombarded with too many things going on at once (which it could have, given how many things happen in this film), and the way that the focus remains on the character of Yuri Zhivago helps to ensure this further. The acting, as usual, is excellent; with Omar Sheriff taking the lead role, and doing excellently with it. Carrying a film of this magnitude cant be easy, but while watching Omar Sheriff, you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise. Julie Christie stars opposite him, as do Rod Steiger, as do Tom Courtenay, Geraldine Chaplin and Klaus Kinski. Alec Guinness appears in the film also, and despite not having a lot of screen time - makes a mark with what he has, and enforces the opinion that he's one of the greatest actors of all time. On the whole, I can't say I loved this film, and I don't think I'll see it again; but it's worth watching - especially if you liked Lean's other epics.