Dr. Zhivago- He Wrote Poetry And Lived On the Wild Side ****

Rating: 10/10 (4 May 2011)

Outstanding 1965 Oscar nominated film for best picture of the year. It would have only taken the likes of the equally magnificent "The Sound of Music" to beat it out that year.
With a phenomenal musical score played with lust and grandeur throughout the film, the movie is certainly one of historical significance. It depicts the phenomenon of the Communist Revolution and how Communists got themselves into the army to bring Russia further down and ultimate rebellion.
Zhivago, well played by Omar Sharif, is a dreamer caught up in such a fiery time. Julie Christie, as his mistress, is wonderful here and this was quite a year for her as she copped the '65 best actress award for the rather undeserving "Darling."
Rod Steiger and Tom Courtenay deliver powerful performances, especially Courtenay, as the protester driven to extremism when he is beaten up during an anti-Communist rally. Of the entire cast, only Courtenay received Oscar consideration in the supporting category and it was a shame that he lost to Martin Balsam in "A Thousand Clowns."
With magnificent visual scenery and David Lean's masterful production, this great film remains a classic through the ages.