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Doctor Zhivago (TV Miniseries)
DOCTOR ZHIVAGO
A man torn between two women amid the chaos and brutality of the Russian Revolution
One of the world’s most famous love stories and half a century of Russian history come to life in this adaptation of Pasternak’s masterpiece by celebrated screenwriter Andrew Davies (Bridget Jones’s Diary, Pride and Prejudice). War and revolution bring poet and physician Yury Zhivago (Hans Matheson) together with the beautiful Lara (Keira Knightley), his muse and all-consuming passion. But both are haunted--Yury by guilt over his betrayal of Tonya, his beloved wife, and Lara by fear of Komarovsky (Sam Neill), the powerful man who means to have her any way he can. DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE 70 minutes of cast and crew interviews, photo gallery, filmographies, Boris Pasternak biography, English subtitles. Complete UK broadcast edition
RECOMMENDED FOR MATURE AUDIENCES
Manufacturer: Acorn Media
Price Range: $21.42 - $39.99
 Doctor Zhivago (TV Miniseries)
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| User Reviews |  | A Majestic Film With Excellent Performances, Well Directed, And A Better Adaptation; But Missing The Music Of Lean's Production
rating: 5
I purchased this movie based on other reviews, and do not regret my decision. Unfortunately, for the entire 225 minutes I kept waiting for "My Love (Lara's Theme)," the stirringly romantic theme indelibly chiseled into my mind for all time. But that is the signature of a true epic, and completely befitting David Lean's "Doctor Zhivago." On the other hand, this version of "Doctor Zhivago," directed by Giacomo Campiotti is everything else that Lean's film was not--except perhaps in terms of cinematography for which Lean's version won the Academy Award.
While I truly enjoyed Omar Sharif as Dr. Yuri Zhivago, I do think that Hans Matheson's portrayal is far less Hollywood and more in line with Boris Pasternak's character in his book; albeit not as moving or powerful as Sharif's portrayal. Conversely, Keira Knightley's performance, poise, and grace put to shame Julie Christie's portrayal of Larisa (Lara) Antipova. I am more than surprised that her performance did not receive more critical attention. However, for me, the true surprise was Sam Neill's brilliance as Viktor Komarovsky. While many may disagree, I never did feel that Lean's choice of Rod Steiger as Viktor Komarovsky was an appropriate one. In my opinion, Sam Neill portrayed the Viktor Komarovsky that I envisioned in the book, and is one of his finest acting performances. The one character that falls extremely short in this version of "Doctor Zhivago" is Pavel "Pasha" Antipov (poorly played by Kris Marshall). In Pasternak's book (as well as Lean's film), Pasha is a far more developed character with a very strong story line. Why Giacomo Campiotti did not fully flush out the role of Pasha, I cannot say--or maybe it ended up on the "floor." On the other hand, it would be easy to contest that Keira Knightley's performance was a better use of time and film. (Note: While not a true character in the book, the character I remember most from Lean's production--maybe thanks to "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Star Wars"--is Sir Alec Guinness as Gen. Yevgraf Zhivago).
Yuri Zhivago, adopted as a young boy by his future wife's family, is sensitive and poetic nearly to the point of mysticism. In medical school, one of his professors reminds him that bacteria may be beautiful under the microscope, but they do ugly things to people. Yuri Zhivago's idealism and principles are constantly challenged to the point of demoralization in the face of the horrors of World War I (where he meets Lara, who is a nurse, for the first time--almost love at first sight), the anger and purging of the Russian Revolution, and the insanity and chaos of the subsequent Russian Civil War. As Lara and Zhivago work together in a make shift "hospital" during the First World War, the two fall in love; but Yuri remains "faithful" to his wife. After the war Yuri Zhivago returns home to devastation and family ruin. Yuri and his wife decide to move to a country home their family owns, which by coincidence is near where Lara has moved in her search for Pasha. After considerable time, Yuri surrenders to his "desires" and seeks out Lara. Even though they had loved each other very much, they never consummated their relationship until Zhivago goes to her in the nearby town of Yuriatin after the Zhivago's have moved to the country. When Yuri's wife finds out, she leaves him for the city. Yuri and Lara struggle until Victor Komarovsky arrives. The events for the characters go "down hill" from that point on.
A major theme of the novel is how the mysticism of things and idealism are destroyed by both the Bolsheviks and the White Army alike, as both sides commit horrible atrocities--and Giacomo Campiotti's "Doctor Zhivago" easily outstrips David Lean's portrayal of this important theme. Yuri witnesses the reality of trench warfare, including dismemberment, deprivation, and starvation suffered by both the "average" soldier and the civilian population during all of this turmoil. In the end, even the love of his life, Lara, is taken from him.
All in all, "Doctor Zhivago" is a master piece that deserves greater appreciation and wider viewing. It is a wonderful evening of romantic, dramatic adventure.
Please Note: If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks.
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Mostly better than the original movie
rating: 5
Doctor Zhivago is a romance story, a love triangle really, set with the Russian Revolution of 1917 as the primary backdrop. The story begins in Doctor Zhivago's childhood in the Russian countryside. His father commits suicide and Zhivago is taken to Moscow by aristocratic relatives to live. He attends medical school and becomes a fine physician but he prefers to write poetry. He marries and has children but he soon secures a mistress. As Zhivago isn't Kosher with the Bolsheviks (Communists), he chooses to move his family back to his rural homeplace which is a battleground between the competing revolutionary factions. There are many dark characters in this story but one in particular has a hold over Zhivago's mistress which causes a great deal of additional chaos in Zhivago's miserable life.
In addition to being a well-told and fascinating story, this version of Pasternak's masterpiece stays very close to the original book, moreso than does the famous earlier film version. The two are difficult to compare as the original film was more "art" while this one is more of a straightforward story. For the most part, I prefer this version, noting at the same time that the original film is incredible.
Here are some reasons that I like the mini-series version of Doctor Zhivago:
1. There are more "great scenery" shots.
2. The sets and locations are more realistic.
3. It's beautifully filmed in letterbox format.
4. The filmscore is tremendous, quite appropriate to what you are viewing.
5. Unlike many mini-series, this is film and doesn't look like videotape.
6. The characters are superbly cast and the story is well-acted. These's not so much "focus on a particular star" as there is in the original film.
7. You get more of an actual sense as to what was going on with the common Russian people during this brutal revolutionary period.
8. This film is quite long and I enjoyed every minute -- it doesn't drag at all.
If the film had a shortcoming for me, I felt that the director inserted an unnecessary amount of raw sexual scenes to make his point. In other words, Doctor Zhivago becomes less "romantic" in this film and more of a "lustful" figure. But, that is a subjective point on which others might take a differing position.
To summarize, don't miss the opportunity to see this wonderful film shot in beautiful letterbox cinematography. The only way to see this one properly is on a widescreen TV!
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So-So Siberian Romance
rating: 3
Boris Pasternak's "Doctor Zhivago",when it was first released in the '60s,was an epic love story daring to question the Soviet regime. It was beautifully realized in David Lean's epic movie starring Omar Sharif as the romantic poet/doctor,Julie Christie as his muse Lara,and Geraldine Chaplin as his wife Tonya. "Lara's Theme",its sentimental theme,made its way into popular consciousness.
Nearly three decades later, Masterpiece Theater did its own remake,attempting to be truer to the original story. Hans Matheson gives a passable performance as Zhivago,while perpetually pouting Keira Knightley is a passive Lara. Despite the fairly graphic lovemaking scenes (for some reason,set in a bedroom with tons of shining candelabras,a fire hazard),they lack the fire of passion. You see the sex (unlike the Lean version),but there's not much love or eroticism. There is also intrusive historical newsreel footage,turning the Zhivago-Lara-Tonya love triangle into a quasi-documentary.
However,the Doctor Zhivago does have some strengths,namely,its supporting cast. Lara's ex-husband comes to realize his error in getting swept up with the Communist Revolution. Sam Neill is a seductive villain,not as campy as Rod Steiger. He gives evil a smiling face. In the end,he has Lara under his spell. Alexandra Lara is touching as Tonya,who sees letting her husband having an affair with Lara as a wifely duty. She gives Tonya a genuine loving and longing for her husband.
Masterpiece Theater's "Doctor Zhivago" makes for engrossing dramatic viewing. It lacks the dramatic scope of David Lean's epic,but it is a made-for-TV movie,and it shows. It still entertains and moves in its epic of a poet/doctor who loves his women and loves his freedom in the face of tyranny.
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An Authentic Zhivago
rating: 5
It is as much a mistake as it is inevitable to compare this television adaptation to the 1965 David Lean film. I adore the Lean film. However, my affection for it doesn't diminish my appreciation of this television version directed by Giacomo Campiotte. There are no epic vistas, the architecture is less grand the camera is closer, which may be as much a limitation of the medium as it is an artistic vision but which ever it is, it works.
There is more time in a television miniseries, time to explore nuances that have to be lost in the shorter film. We see closely the horrors of the First World War and the subsequent Revolution in Russia. These are not mere backdrops, but powerful environments that mold, in many ways, the fates of the characters, chief of which in the popular imagination is Larisa Antipova, Lara.
I do not think it should be held against Kiera Knightly, as some have done, that she is not Julie Christy. Kiera Knightly doesn't play her as a pure victim; this Lara is a survivor. She was not seduced by Komorovsky. She decided to do what was needed. Komorovsky was a powerful man and she needed to keep him interested in the welfare of her family. That consciousness, that distancing, paradoxically, allows her to retain her innocence. It also makes her a more complex character, less radiant, perhaps, but more accessible. It is not lust that moves her, nor is it helplessness. Zhivago is quite right in saying he could not have loved her if she had no regrets, for even though she loathed Komorovsky, yet she did enjoy his sexual talents as long as she had to endure them.
Lara is a catalyst. Like the novel, like Mother Russia herself, Lara's character takes on the essence of how she is perceived and interpreted by the men in her life. There is a line in the Lean film where Zhivago shows Lara a poem about her. She says, "This is not me; it's you." To Komorvsky, she is a slut. To Pasha, she is a despoiled woman. To Zhivago she is an earthy saint. To herself, though, she is all of these and more. For this interpretation of her character, Kiera Knightly is perfect.
There are few, if any, sour notes among the actors.
The use of actual footage of the Russian Revolution may have been dictated by budgetary considerations, but it is also an excellent artistic choice, fully grounding the story in history and providing an authentic environment to contain the story.
Now, I wish the Russian version of this wonderful story were available with English titles.
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New is not always bad.
rating: 5
I too prefer this version.
But I am odd-man out because I never loved the original screen adaptation. Perhaps because although full of great talents, it failed to make me care about the characters. I did love the "making of" footage on the collector's edition I bought, but the film never impressed me. Like many of the other reviewers I have a great deal of respect for Julie Christie as an actress but her performance fell flat, which I blame on the director. Lean may have been great at epic scope, but making an audience connect with and understand the main characters seems not to have been his focus, in this project at least.
This new Zhivago does not leave you scratching your head wondering why it's such a celebrated love story. Yes that is due mostly to having more time for the story to unfold. We get to know the characters and sympathize with them. This version gave me a much greater respect for Tonya, and made Yuri's struggle between his passion for Lara and his devotion to Tonya plainer to the viewer. Andrew Davies (writer) has a brilliant talent for bringing the essence of a story to the screen in the miniseries format.
The real stand out for me (other than the always delightful Sam Neill) was Kris Marshall. He was a brilliant Pasha. A far cry from the dorky Colin of "Love Actually." He is also great in "The Merchant of Venice" with Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons.
The comparisons I have seen of "Matheson to Sharif" and "Knightley to Christie" have been inappropriate. Acting, though essentially the same, was done in a rather different style back when the original was made. Rather wooden compared to some modern interpretations (not a statement of quality, just saying I'm used to something different). This was not always the case but I consider it as good a reason as any why two such great artists as Christie and Sharif failed to move me in that film. I'm not entirely convinced those who criticize the new leads by comparing them with the old aren't looking more at the lifetime of work the former actors have to their credit, rather than their specific performances in Dr. Zhivago. "Luminosity" can be acheived with proper makeup and lighting.
One might also consider what the filmmakers intended to convey. If their goals are acheived, it should be considered an accomplishment regardless of personal taste.
In honesty I must admit that I have not yet been brave enough to tackle the book. Something about Russian drama in literature intimidates me, I suppose.
I don't expect anyone to go by my review really. I simply offer my opinions to counter those I see here with which I disagree. See the film for yourself and decide. There is no law that says anyone must love any adaptation.
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Doctor Zhivago (TV Miniseries)
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