not one of the great epics but quite good

Rating: 7/10 (24 October 2003)

Dr. Zhivago is not one of the great epics but it is a good movie. First, this movie is not as powerful as David Lean's classic Lawrence of Arabia. The Last Emperor is a better example of a movie in which the main character is buffeted and overwhelmed by the forces of history rather than makes history. As a historical drama set in early 20th century Russia, the underrated Nicholas and Alexandra works better as an informative historical epic. At its core Dr. Zhivago is a tragic romance epic yet The English Patient is a more moving example of this niche.
However, I do recommend the movie. The acting is very good. Omar Sharif does an admirable job in a basically reactive role. His character is not a man of action but a doctor and poet who does his best in difficult and changing circumstances. Julie Christie is absolutely stunning in both her acting and beauty. (Now, I understand why John Rhys-Davies used his first meeting with Christie as inspiration for the scene in which Gimli encounters the elf Queen Galadriel in Lord of the Rings.) Rod Steiger is very good in a complex role in which his character is despicable, worldly, fundamentally amoral, yet with the ability to pity all at the same time. Although, what should be taken as a testament to the quality of the cast, Tom Courtenay in a smaller role received the Oscar nomination for best supporting actor instead of Steiger. The movie has a beautiful score that rightly won the Oscar that year. The cinematography is at times too pretty for its own good. The scene with the protesting Russian workers needed less color coordination and more grimy reality. Yet, that drawback is minor compared to Lean's effective use of Finnish landscape as a substitute for the Russian wintry expanse. Also, the ice palace is an indelible movie image. Therefore, if you expect a classic you might be disappointed but Dr. Zhivago is quite good.