A 'masterpiece' film that's over 60 years old but stars an epic cast will air on the BBC today, and fans have called it 'an epic that keeps you watching until the end.'
Doctor Zhivago, which was released in 1965 has become an iconic classic, focuses on the Russian Revolution with Yuri Zhivago (Omar Sharif), a young doctor who has been raised by his aunt and uncle following his father's suicide. Yuri falls in love with beautiful Lara Guishar (Julie Christie), who has been having an affair with her mother's lover, Victor Komarovsky (Rod Steiger). Yuri, however, ends up marrying his cousin, Tonya (Geraldine Chaplin) but when he and Lara meet again years later, the spark of love reignites.
Directed by David Lean after another epic hit with Lawrence of Arabia, this film is consider to be a sweeping historical romance and it's also one of the most expensive films of its time. The final cost for the production and filming was over $11million, a significant sum at the time in the 1960s, and largely down to filming in Spain and having to recreate the Russian winter scenes. The film was a huge hit on release, and was nominated for 10 Oscars, winning 5 for Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design, Music Score, and Adapted Screenplay.
Despite its eventual legacy and winning over fans, many critics initially panned the film for its length and for allegedly trivialising the Russian Revolution into a "soppy" romance. However the criticism has fallen away and despite the film being sixty years over, it's still one that gets praise and acclaim.
One five star review on Rotten Tomatoes wrote: "Transports you straight into Russia and the love story that is Dr Zhivago. Stellar leads by Omar Sharif and Julie Christie. An epic that keeps you watching until the end. A great film to watch on a cold winters day with lots of tea and biscuits. Get yourself comfortable on the sofa and enjoy."
Another felt similar with another five star rating as they added: "I first saw this when I was 17 - just caught it again last night - still think it's a great film in so many ways - for a hopeless romantic." "One of the great novels of the 20th century brought to film. The screenplay by Robert Bolt is excellent: he achieves in brief exchanges what others cannot convey in a whole film," said a third.
Another simply posted: "Greatest film masterpiece of any subject/topic ever made." The film might be six decades old, but it's 'stood the test of time' as one review posted: "This film retains all its romance and mystery even after all these years--Christie and Sharif are so beautiful to see and the acting and scenery absolutely captivating." Another added: "Such a wonderful movie. It is long - basically two movies. Just wonderful - my favorite of all time."
