Very good romance epic

Rating: 8/10 (18 March 2003)

There are many facets of Doctor Zhivago that make it a film to recommend. Omar Sharif as the title character is convincing as a handsome and idealistic doctor. Julie Christie as Lara his soulmate is equally superb. The actress who plays Zhivago's faithful wife Tonya is also perfectly cast though her undying loyalty to Zhivago is a questionable character trait. Rod Steiger has a memorable supporting role. In addition to masterfully handling his cast, director David Lean gives us a chilling (beyond the weather) glance at the upheaval of the revolution. There is nothing positive about communism in practice. This murderous ideology is responsible for at least 30 million deaths in Russia and 40 million in China, not to mention millions more in Eastern Europe and in other parts of the world. As a scourge of humanity it is worse than Nazism. The film does meander at points but the performances of the leads, the beautiful cinematography, and stark realism more than compensate for any shortcomings. Recommended, 8/10.