The 'Art' of Revolution

Rating: Null/10 (17 February 2002)

One must be somewhat familiar with Russian literature and Russian History to truly appreciate the magnificence of the film 'Doctor Zhivago'. Usually, Russian novels were monumental Victorian works as Tolstoy's 'War and Peace' or Dostoyevsky's 'The Brothers Karamazov'. These works were astoundingly detailed and developed every character's life and life's experience while the world changed behind them, and also, perhaps the convergence of one or more character's life and the situation that faith leads him or her too. (Like having Napoleon admire the body of cavalry officer Wustov in 'War and Peace'). Bringing Russian literature to the silver screen in detail is a near impossibility. They're just to large and intricately woven.
'Doctor Zhivago', however does bring a taste of both Czarist and Leninist Russia, and most importantly, Russian literature to us. Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, Rod Steiger and Alec Guinness supported by the performances of Geraldine Chaplin and Tom Courtenay beautifully and masterfully detail the life the times of the story, the portrait of the Russian writer, Boros Pasternak, and the people of whom he writes. All of the life's dramas played out here are captured in the double framework of history and the icy cinematography of Nicolas Roeg and Fred Young. Although quite a long film, by today's standards, the production and editing unveil a unique work of cinematic ice sculpture. The movie itself follows the original work rather well, and the changes made seem to be for the sake of cinematography and not to hide omissions related to the novel. (For example, having Lara and Yevgraf meet at the beautifully flowered cemetery in the spring, instead of the dreary colorless wake, as described in the novel.
Doctor Zhivago is a 'must see' for anyone who appreciates those rare blended masterpieces of cinema and for anyone who has yet to glimpse the icy determination of the Russian soul and the Russian writer.