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• One of the Great Love Stories of the 20th Century.

  • Frank Harris Horn
  • 7/28/10

  Oscar-winning director, Sir David Lean goes on location in Spain, Finland and (the former) Yugoslavia to film one of his greatest achievements since "The Bridge on the River Kwai", as he brings Boris Pasternak's world-renowned novel to life on the silver screen. Omar Sharif leads an international cast, as he stars in the title role of Yuri Andreyevich Zhivago, the Russian doctor/poet, and Julie Christie and Geraldine Chaplin are the two women, he falls in love with during World War I and the outbreak of the Bolshevik Revolution. Winner of five Academy Awards including Best Cinematography (Color), Maurice Jarre won for Best Original Score, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Color), Best Screenplay Adaptation and Best Costume Design (Color). Listen for the hauntingly beautiful "Lara's Theme" and "Somewhere, My Love". Also starring Sir Alec Guinness, Rod Steiger, Siobhan McKenna, Sir Ralph Richardson, Tom Courtenay, Geoffrey Keen, Lucy Westmore, Klaus Kinski, Rita Tushingham, Jeffrey Rockland, Bernard Kay, Adrienne Corri, Tarek Sharif, JAck MacGowran, Gerard Tichy & Noel Willman.

• AN OUTSTANDING FILM

  • Suzanne
  • 5/28/10

  This movie remains as one of the best I have ever seen -- even 50 years later. With outstanding direction, cinematography, acting performances, settings, costumes and of course the score with Lara's Theme makes for a truly outstanding film. Julie Christie and Omar Shariff are stunning in their performance. The give magnetic performances which captures the viewer through the entire movie. I had no problem sitting through this rather long movie, due to such beautiful settings and dramatic performances. I believe the time frame also enhances this, as it is set in Russia during the Russian Revolution -- an exotic country going through dynamic changes which would change all of history. Rarely do you come across such a magnificent film.

• May be Lean's technically best movie

  • xploring
  • 10/4/09

  I believe Lean is one of the best directors ever. And there are techniques used in this production that are as good, or better, than any of his movies. The editing in this picture is spectacular. Although I will probably always love watching Lawrence of Arabia more than any other film, from a technical point of view this maybe Lean at his best.

• Doctor Zhivago

  • Gladys
  • 8/8/09

  This is a wonderful story but have never seen it on your program. I have seen it several times on Channel 13. Would enjoy seeing it on the TCM station.

• A Great Favorite

  • Felton
  • 3/26/09

  Lean's films are dependably interesting and well-made, though this is my sentimental favorite. All the elements seem to combine beautifully--music, exotic and stunning locales, performers, sweeping and romantic story. A gorgeous treat!

• Play it again and again.

  • Mary Lou Miller
  • 2/27/09

  This is one of the best movies ever made. You must show it again really soon.

• What a movie

  • catwoman915
  • 2/27/09

  Although this movie is quite long it keeps moving and keeps your interest. Omar Sharif gives such a good performance, one of his better ones in my opinion. This is definitely a must see movie.

• Blink or Go Blissfully Snowblind

  • JW
  • 2/13/09

  Rate the title sequence? Really? It's been such a coon's age since TCM showed Dr Zhivago (unless I've missed the ever-looked-for opportunity), I have no recollection of the title sequence off the top of my head. Of the musical score, I have childhood sense memories that will last my lifetime. As will the poignancy of ever so many scenes--sufficient to make the film almost too painful to watch during certain periods when I've found myself particularly vulnerable. Yes, it's longer than an episode of Family Guy, but so gripping I have to purposefully remember to blink my eyelids before my corneas dessicate. So, if you haven't seen Dr Zhivago, you gotta. And personally, I'd love to have it shown as many bazillion times a year as Gigi and Topkapi and a few others that, for the life of me, I don't see the need to run more often than once or twice a year, max. Looking forward to Feb 27, 2009. Thanks, TCM--couldn't live without you.

• lean Lean

  • tony baksa
  • 11/26/08

  It may be over 3 hours , but David Lean doesn't endulge like most epics. His vision and point of view are always clean and clear and never sappy - which this story could easily have been handled by a lesser director. Mr. Lean was a true artist. I so enjoyed this movie - great story, beautiful visually and great acting by a stellar cast. My favorites were Tom Courney, Rod Steiger, Ralph Richardson and Cheraldine Chaplin. Let me say something about Omar Shariff. He rarely if ever gets credit as an actor probably due to his astounding good looks. I found his performance quite moving - sweet and simple. This flick is worth its length. Put a Sunday afternoon aside - skip football and watch David Lean's absolutely beautiful DR. ZHIVAGO.

• HAS TCM seen the synopsis for this film?

  • Cshropsh
  • 10/29/07

  It makes no sense. Run on sentences and confusion. Please redo.

• Movie Masterpiece

  • Dan
  • 6/4/07

  A simply mezmerizing cinematic achievement by David Lean. This spine-tingling, eye-moistening experience has memorable scenes that is very effective right to this day-- The cinematography is some of the best ever. I'm still touched and moved by this movie masterpiece... . I shed a tear whenever I see this film or even think about it. Even now--

• David Lean's Stunning Epic

  • Michael O'Farrell
  • 5/20/07

  It seems as though film critics have always been divided over David Lean's film of "Doctor Zhivago". Although most have been unanimous in their praise of the film's production values, the Oscar winning screen adaptation of Pasternak's novel by Robert Bolt has received the most brickbats. True, Bolt reduced the story to a series of main plot points, eliminating many characters and subplots that filled the Nobel Prize winning author's hefty novel. So if the screenplay was a mere sketch of the book, director Lean, production designer John Box and cinematographer Freddie Young filled in the gaps with some of the most stunning set pieces ever committed to film. The casting of the main protagonists helped immensely: has there ever been a more beautiful pairing of lovers as Omar Sharif and Julie Christie? With a strong supporting cast (dominated by a brilliant Rod Steiger and Tom Courtney) and a memorable music score, "Doctor Zhivago" lives on as both monumental spectacle and affecting love story.

• Excellent Drama

  • Bob Galvin-Oliphant
  • 2/16/06

  What a fine David Lean epic, not always appreciated by critics. Julie Christie, Omar Sharif and Rod Steiger are all excellent, giving powerful, emotional performances. Strong visuals add to the magic of this masterpiece.

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