Dr. Zhivago - Your Opinions? And My Official DVD TImes Review!

[Raphph]

What do you think of Zhivago?

Check out my review link in my sig!

[khaavren]

I love this movie. Is it exactly the same set in R4? that'll be a bit cheaper.

Oh yeah, I forgot to say "great review"!

[Yonathan Gal]

That film is a masterpiece. 10/10 on any level!! I don't wann aget the R coz of the dodgy case... it isn't exaclty a snapepr but too similar... Does anyone know if the R4 will have a proper amaray? :)

[Mike]

A calamity on every level as far as I'm concerned, from the chocolate-box photography to the plodding pacing and horribly literal script. The original book isn't much cop either, but this makes it look like some kind of masterpiece. 1/10 and that's for Rod Steiger's hammy performance which does at least bring some amusement to the thing.

I could go on, but I won't. Instead, I'll quote Pauline Kael, who sums it up, as ever, perfectly:

<i>"After the first half hour, you don't expect "Dr Zhivago" to breathe and live, you just sit there. It isn't shoddy (except for the music), it isn't soap opera. It's stately, respectable and dead: the photography static, the comings and goings without rhythm."</i>

It does, however, have the incidental virtue of making "Lawrence of Arabia" look better than it should.

[Vinyl-Pants]

Im gonna have to check this movie out.

I love David Lean's other two masterpeices, Bridge On The River Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia.

Also, Mike doesn't like the film and from what ive read on previous threads I couldnt disagree more with what he usually babbles :)

[Mike]

Originally posted by Vinyl-Pants
Im gonna have to check this movie out.

I love David Lean's other two masterpeices, Bridge On The River Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia.

Also, Mike doesn't like the film and from what ive read on previous threads I couldnt disagree more with what he usually babbles :)

I knew I had a purpose in life, even if it is just to act as a negative example to someone who calls themselves "Vinyl Pants".

[Vinyl-Pants]

Yeah I know, its a silly name. If only I was more imaginative and creative and just registered my christian name but then that would've taken too much time, effort and thought.

[tj_director]

well the film certainly worked for me -- watched it for the first time recently on DVD, and it's become a definate favourite -- so too has Gone With The Wind (am i going to get blasted for that??) :(

good review Raphph :D

[John Hodson]

I don't know how, but I only caught Zhivago for the first time in its entirety about 6-7 years ago. I was totally blown away.

Loved every single frame. As for Pauline Kael, it wouldn't be the first time I've disagreed with her (or her with me come to that...), but wouldn't it be a daft old world if everyone's taste matched everyone else's? Kael isn't there to tell us what to think, or why to think it, only to pass an opinion.

Somebody, somewhere - maybe even a critic - can give you a perfectly reasoned argument why Dumb and Dumber is the best movie ever made.

---
So many films, so little time...

[Mike]

Indeed, and opinions are merely that. But I quoted Pauline Kael because she expressed what I feel about the film more eloquently than I could.

[RDNZL]

In common with his views on GHANDI I also disagree with Mike's opinion of DR. ZHIVAGO.

However he also loathes BRAVEHEART almost as much as myself so he can't be all bad. :D ;)

[Raphph]

Braveheart is one of the worst films I have ever seen!!!

[Yonathan Gal]

I don't see why everyone hates Braveheart so much. It's not amazing, but I did like it...

[Yonathan Gal]

Also, the R4 of Zhivago (released on the 5th) apparently has an amaray case so that's better than the R2, provided the extras are the same! :):)

[sampath]

Originally posted by Yonathan Gal
It's not amazing, but I did like it...

"Not amazing"? Getouttahere, it's a damn masterpiece as far as I'm concerned. :D
I guess it's not going to be universally popular in England due to its portrayal of all (well most) Scots as being valiant heroes and the English as a bunch of sneering, evil buggers ;) and I have heard countless arguments over it's dubious historical accuracy, but disturbing fact of the matter is...
It's only a movie.

Plus me not being English helps as well I guess....
:p

Back on topic, I haven't seen Zhivago but my mum apparerntly likes it (not surprising I guess) so I've ordered the R4 for her, which looks identical to the R2, but I'm not entirely sure about the R4 cover art; the R2 looks much nicer.

[Alan]

A classic movie should leave indelible images burnt into your mind forever. That's my definition and I'd say Dr Zhivago fulfils it.
The stunning shot of Geraldine Chaplin looking beautiful in the pink fur hat as she gets off the train. The landscape at Zhivago's Mother's funeral. The intelligent handling of the 'Bloody Sunday' type massacre. A lesser director would have shown it in graphic detail, but Lean knew we didn't need to see it as our imagination would always be more horrific.
The use of bands of light across Julie Christie's eyes. The window defrosting with the heat of the candle.
How many films or directors today can stamp such images into the memories of several generations of people.
I'm a fortysomething who saw it when he was twenty something.

Alan

[Yonathan Gal]

Alan: I agree with al you say, Lean really was a master. He did some truly incredible films, that were more pieces of art than films. A truly flawless and incredible film. Words can't describe.