Doctor Zhivago is one of the best love stories and historical epics ever made for the screen. David Lean's follow up to Lawrence of Arabia astounds even to this day. Based on the book by Boris Pasternak it is a criticism of the Soviet Union and communist ideology. It has all the hallmarks viewers have come to expect in a David Lean film; great cinematography, great shots, great performances, great adaptation, great, etc., etc..
This is easily one of my favorite films by David Lean. I am also a fan of Warren Beatty's Reds which depicts the Russian Revolution as well as a love story. Reds is one of my favorite movies of all time.
I've seen Zhivago several times and I just can't get over the feeling of loss and sadness the film inspires. The loss of Lara to a Stalinist labor camp is so great I cringe at the image of her walking by the giant wall poster of Stalin. Visually stunning and emotionally gripping I am truly amazed at the writing of Robert Bolt and the direction of David Lean. The shot sticks with you days after you've seen the movie. Zhivago's death is just as memorable. Chasing after Lara. He breaks down, dies of a heart attack in the street. The ending is sad, but hope still survives. Zhivago's daughter naturally knows how to play the guitar. It reveals that natural gifts cannot be stamped out by the party. Some things survive in even the direst environments, this one being Stalinist Russia.
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