Rating: 
Summary: A classic british television drama whatmore can we ask for?
Review: I think that this remake of Docotr Zhivargo is i have got to say, better than the original. Of corse the first was a classic with julie and omar but the dialouge was poor at times and showed a brief outline of relationships that the book went through at great length. The remake has dialogue that so much fits the book and makes it easier not to cringe at parts. The actors are amazing, Hans Matherson brings Yury to another dimension and shows him not only as a handsome man but also a man who liek any other seduces woman, kiera at the time was just a mear 16 years of age when she filmed this film, she has portrayed Lara to the best of her ability as a young actress starting out, i give her full marks, a very endeering prefermance that kept me in tears the whole length of the film and the finally better than the original...amazing!
Rating: 
Summary: Is something wrong with my TV?
Review: I would be only too happy to give this adaptation 4 stars, maybe even 4 1/2, but there seems to be a slight problem. My dvd displays the film in an anamorphic shape, making it vital for me to have a widescreen TV. The image is stretched so everyone is tall and skinny. Hard to watch for long.Okay, now that that rant is out of the way I will say this: The David Lean version of Zhivago is my favorite movie. As a filmmaker I enjoy it for it's richness. The morality of the story leaves much to be desired, but can be explained by the desperate times that it takes place. I watched this version with certain expectations which were both too high and too low. Despite that I still enjoyed it very much. The cast was solid and the production value high. I even enjoyed the music though it was SO different from Maurice Jarre's brilliant score. That was actually a good point. If you have to make a choice (and you don't right now) between the two films I recommend the first, but the new one is an admirable effort... that sounds demeaning. It's quite good. And Keira is beautiful. Now what's with that anamorphic image?!
Rating:
Summary: sad, exceptionally moving
Review: i've never seen the original doctor zhivago but this version was VERY good. hans matheson is a very good actor and so is keira knightley. i especially love the ending, it was so touching i cried. the music is also something that stands out although it is repeated over and over again throughout the film. being just a tv movie, this film is very impressive.
Rating: 
Summary: A More Intimate Telling of Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago
Review: Interesting to see all the harsh criticism of the Masterpiece Theatre version of Pasternak's luminous novel DOCTOR ZHIVAGO. Though the 4 hour miniseries now on DVD did not have the wide-angle sweep of David (LAWRENCE OF ARABIA) Lean's epic favorite film (and who can ever forget the sweeping scenes of fields of daffodils, majestic sleigh rides, the ice coated palace-like retreat for Yuri and Lara, etc), this version somehow seems more intimate with more credible character portrayals of the survivors of the wanton confusion of a country which in a matter of a few years passed from the end of the Tsars through destructive revolution and heinous crimes to the gray, bland period of communism. Hans Matheson relies more on the poet aspect of Yuri Zhivago than the towering hero of his physician nature. Keira Knightly finds more of the innate sense of innocence lost in her Lara. Alexandra Maria Lara finds more credible and three dimensional humanity in Yuri's wife Tonya. Sam Neill takes away the one-sided villain (as Rod Steiger portrayed him in the Lean film) of Komarovsky and shows how a man of such cruelty can still believeably attract not only women but the trust of idealistic men. The battles are realistically presented, the Urals are magnificently portrayed, the devastation of Yuri's home in Moscow transformed into a grimy ghetto is well shown. For this viewer the story was told more through the eyes of Yuri as Poet - a bit idalistic but at the same time living life for the moment and enduring decisions harsh under anyone's criteria to follow both passion and duty. In the end, Pasternak's story is so profound and sensitive that it would be difficult to demean his intentions. See, and enjoy, both versions.
Rating:
Summary: Love HURTS!!!!
Review: Is 3:30am here in Philly, PA & I should be sound asleep for the early-rise I have for the EAGLES game....but due to insominia, I was switching around channels and came across this beautiful scenery of snow-capped mountains which I felt would lull me into a deep sleep. Then I heard the name Lara and then Zhivago mentioned and I wondered could it be a re-make of Dr. Zhivago? So I took out the TV Guide and they only had the show listed as "MasterPiece Theater." By this time I was hooked and wondering when Winona Ryder filmed this. I did not realize till I went on Amazon.com (to purchase the DVD as I missed the first hour) that it was Kiera Knightly that played the leading role of Lara. What a mature performance she gave and their resemblance is incredible....at least it was to me in this film. All of the performances were truly touching and I am now left with a knot in the pit of my stomach as to how it ended. So, so sad. If you like tear-jerkers and want to remember what being in love feels like, take some time out of your schedule and watch this DVD. To me, it was almost like watching the love story in "The Thorn Birds" that was filled with anxiety, guilt, sex, deceit, conflict, descrution. Am I ever so glad I am through with being in love. Get the DVD and see what I mean.
Rating:
Summary: A surprisingly involving (and more faithful) adaptation
Review: It may be somewhat sacrilegious to admit this, but I actually prefer this production to the David Lean classic. That is an admission however that I do not take lightly, the Lean version having left an indelible impression on my younger life and the beautiful Lara's Theme having haunted me since I first saw the original version on television back in the 1980s.
No, when I sat down to watch this 2002 adaptation of the Boris Pasternak epic I was all prepared to be both disappointed and resistant to a newer version of the Omar Sharif/Julie Christie favorite - so what happened? Why am I now sitting here so impressed and involved in what should by all accounts be a poorer step child to the colorful, star-filled 1960s movie.
Simply put this movie has the advantage of time. A whole hour longer than the other movie that extra time gives the production of filling in some of the blanks that inhabited the original and more fully exploring the human relationships and interaction between characters. Matheson may not have the acting ability of Sharif but what he does have is the opportunity to more fully realize the character of Zhivago. In this sense this movie is more faithful to the source material and all the better for it.
Matheson plays the part of Zhivago, a man brought up in the shadow of tragedy who feels the pull of loyalty to his wife (and childhood friend) Tonya and a deep infatuation for Lara. With the violence of World War I and the Russian Revolution as a backdrop, Zhivago travels through life torn by conflict.
Less colorful than the original this mini-series compensates with a strong, well defined script and some star turning peformances by Sam Neill and one-time Bond girl Maryam D'Abo (as Lara's mother). Many have also dismissed Keira Knightley in her role as Lara, but I found her both competent and powerful in the role. I found myself both involved in her story and convinced by her portrayal - she was certainly a different Lara than the one depicted by Christie some four decades ago, but one no less realized or compelling. In fact, I would go as far as to say that Knightley's Lara is a more rounded character than Christie's, no doubt due to Knightley's impressive screen presence, but also the longer screentime afforded to her character.
One device I found both clever and interesting was real archive footage from the period that is woven into the story in a fascinating manner.
Included on this DVD is a text biography of author Boris Pasternak as well as over an hour of interviews with the cast. Prepared to be surprised by this DVD and be prepared to fall in love with a whole new version of the DOCTOR ZHIVAGO story.
Rating:
Summary: Remake worth revisiting
Review: It takes courage to revisit a classic, not only because of the inevitable comparisons but because many people simply will not be able to evaluate the film on its own merits. In this case both the film and the novel upon which it was based have reached reverential status, so Masterpiece Theatre had quite a task on its hands, and it was with considerable interest and an open mind that I approached it's re-adaption of Pasternak's tender, melancholy and beloved romance.
I must say I was happily surprised. Overall I think this was an effective and quite beautiful, though flawed, treatment, which was both emotionally and intellectually involving, though lacking some of the power and intensity of the original.
In some ways this version provides a more thorough exploration of the complex relationships between the characters. For example, it deals more explicitly with the sexual dynamics between Lara and Komarovsky which the Lean film merely hinted at (perhaps because of the times and the need to make Lara a less morally ambiguous/complex character). It is very clear that Lara is at some level a willing participant in the relationship even beyond her initial curiosity, that she is warring as much against the moral ambiguities within herself as against Komarovsky, and the complexities of her relationship with her mother are more fully addressed. These private tensions reflect the broader political, moral and social themes of the film (eg. lust v. love; the worldly/material represented by the exploiter-of-the-weak lawyer Komarovsky (evil) v. the spiritual/intellectual represented by healer and poet Yuri (good); the collective v. the individual, etc.) They also provide deeper insight into why Lara would be so fatally attracted to Yuri, who represents unattainable goodness and deliverance from all she finds hateful in herself, and why Yuri, the Christlike figure, finds in her someone he is compelled by love to save.
This version is a bit darker and more brooding than the original. Gone are the magical locales (no, no breathtaking ice palace) and the larger-than-life emotions and sense of time and place they evoked; still, it compensates well and creatively for what it lacks in big budget production values. I also found the ending less stark; I was always a bit frustrated by Lean's ending and the additional details provided here were a kindness and a relief to me.
Among the other highlights of this version: its achingly beautiful score, so full of tenderness and melancholy; and several truly marvelous supporting performances, including the child Yuri with his serious pale face and enormous eyes; Lara's tormented mother; and best of all the luminous and heartbreakingly beautiful Tonya.
Given such strong supporting players it is a tremendous disappointment that the lead characters -- particularly Kiera Knightly as Lara--are so very weak; her performance is the major flaw of the production. Hans Matheson captures well the honor, sincerity and kindness of Yuri, though her never quite achieves the intensity of the tormented Omar Sharif. Still, he fights manfully for Yuri, and succeeds in giving an excellent, moving and very credible performance, especially for such a young actor.
Sam Neill's Komarovsky is less effective; he is never as powerful, convincing or complex a villain as the brutish Rod Steiger. He hits only one note, and not a particularly interesting one, but it suffices.
Pasha, while convincing as a naive young ideologue, fails to make the transition to the brutal and ruthless Strelnikov; his confrontation with Yuri was tense, even frightening in the Lean version, here it barely registers.
But it is Kiera Knightly who is the real Achilles heel of the production. I found myself constantly struggling to overlook her performance; she is so terribly self-concious, so wooden and flat, with an annoying mannered petulance that is painful to watch. It is a great difficulty because the story depends so much on Lara. How are we to believe that the lives of three great men are destroyed by this woman? Ironically, the actress playing Tonya makes matters worse by being 10 times more interesting in her role than Lara. In the Lean version, the pinch-faced, anxious Geraldine Chaplin was a much worse match for Yuri, it was much easy to see why his intense poet's heart would need something more. But this Tonya has so much more depth and passion than Knightly that it is hard to imagine why noble Yuri would betray his pregnant wife, his vows, even his own finely tuned conscience for her. The adultery feels a little seedy and the love affair less compelling and passionate.
Knightly is helped by her beauty, but it is not enough, she conveys none of the ambiguity or mystery that would inspire a poet's heart, nor the vulnerability and fire that would drive an honorable man to abandon his vows and a hard man to become weak. Nor do we see the terrible internal struggles that would drive Lara to murder, nor the transformation that a life of such wrenching suffering would bring. She is exactly the same from beginning to end. Her best scenes are the early sex scenes with Komarovsky--unfortunately even this backfires, she uses some of the same mannered posturings in the love scenes with Yuri (which should be entirely different, entirely pure and tender and emotional)so there is a certain seediness that clings to her. She is far too inexperienced an actress for a role this complex.
(This reminds me of "The Age of Innocence" and the MPT "Forsyte Saga"-both films hurt by inadequate leading actresses. Directors listen: intense material needs intense talent, not just looks!)
Still, this material is so rich and moving that it can withstand some mishandling; and there is very much to enjoy in this adaptation. See and enjoy it if only to witness a wonderful classic molded by new and different hands.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Effort
Review: This adaptation was somewhat thin. There are few extra words. In fact, not enough in some places - the film embodies the minimalist dialogue style that is evident in the 1965 epic and all of David Lean's work. I personally find this effecting, but I don't know if this allows for the fullest impact if the audience isn't up on their 1920's Soviet history. It might be too large a leap. It had some moving parts and did not flinch in some of the more gruesome scenes. And the characters really do seem to have an aura of love in the air as they embrace. If there is anything wrong with this film, it's that the actors are all too young. They don't fair well in comparison to the original movie. Kiera Knightly isn't yet twenty years old - she would be a Freshman in college. She doesn't yet have the full presence of an adult, despite her great talents.
The other actors are similarly miscast. Also, it was shot on video, resulting in a desaturated and flat visual style. There are also signs of budget-cutting everywhere in various set designs, outside-shots, etc. This was a very lean production. This film was enjoyable, but it may not stand the test of time.
Rating:
Summary: A Remarkable Remake
Review: This exceptional remake of Doctor Zhiavgo was filmed for the BBC (British television) and presented in the US on PBS KCET channel 28's "Exxonmobil Masterpiece Theatre". This is a very well done adaptation of the original. I was quite impressed, thinking that a classic masterpiece like David Lean's 1965 version starring Julie Christie and Omar Shariff could not be matched. I think this film is worth watching and is a worthy re-make. Although the 1965 version will always be superior, this is not a disposible film. Keira Knightley (British actress from such films as Pirates Of The Caribbean and most recently the romantic comedy Love Actually) stars as the elusive and elegant Lara, Doctor Zhivago's love interest. Keira Knightley's pale looks and vulnerable but passionate nature is true to Lara's character but I much prefer the healthier-looking and more vibrant Julie Christie in the role of Lara. Julie Christie is Lara and will always be. Keira is only second best. The same applies for Hans Matheson, who is directly under the great shadow of Omar Shariff's superior performance. Zhivago is played by the very young and handsome Hans Matheson, Sam Neill portrays the wicked Komarovsky. Following Boris Pasternak's novel set against the Russian Revolution of 1918, the lives of Doctor Zhivago, Lara and Tonya are forever changed. In Imperial Russia, the decadent wealthy are oppressing the poor. Such powerful people as Komarovsky engage in numerous love affairs with poor and needy young women (like Lara). Sam Neil is exceptionally corrupt in this version. He was the lawyer responsible for Zhivago's father's death and completely obcesses over claiming Lara only for himself. He is abusive to her, he rapes her and is completely controlling. Hans Matheson's Zhivago is fresh and a stray from Omar Shariff's performance. Omar Shariff was Middle Eastern and much older and it's quite refreshing to see a youthful and passionate Hans Matheson in the role of the idealistic poet doctor. The film focuses mostly on the internal and external conflict. Externally, the world of Imperial Russia is falling apart. The Revolution has turned things around and Communism has dominated the Soviet Union after a bloody and terrifying war. The battle scenes are along the lines of "Saving Private Ryan", with that much violence, shock and graphic reality. Man's inhumanity to man is clearly presented. In addition, the film features some real silent film footage from the actual Russian Revolution at the turn of the century. The internal conflict is that of a love triangle- Doctor Zhivago is torn between two women he deeply loves, his wife and childhood sweetheart Tonya with whom he has a son Sasha and his mistress the passionate Lara. At the same time, we are able to get more of Tonya's feelings than we did in the 1965 version (Geraldine Chaplin played Tonya in that version and we did'nt get as much character for her as we do in this version). Tonya is betrayed and hurt. Zhivago is guilty he has committed adultery and cheated on his wife. Lara, on the other hand, although she is evidentially in love with Zhivago, feels obligated to fulfill her own duty to her own adolescent sweetheart whom she has married and had a son with. These marital, societal, public personas come into real conflict in the light of their private, extramarital affairs. This is a well done two part "miniseries" and highly recommendable if you've read Boris Pasternak's epic and poetic novel as well as if you have seen the original 1965 David Lean version. The only disappointment of this production is the music. Although there are some portions of music that are pleasing - like authentic Russian balalaika instruments and folk music during Zhivago and Tonya's wedding and in the Moscow ballrooms where Komarovsky seduces Lara, the rest of the music is too generic, subtle and lacking the vitality of drama and the gorgeous romanticism of the original score by Maurice Jarre in 1965. Of course, I'm upset they did'nt even remake "Lara's Theme" the definitive romantic love theme of cinematic history right along with the Tara Theme in Gone With The Wind. They could have at least composed music that sounds more like Maurice Jarre's original or they could have contracted the now elderly Jarre to re-write music for this new adaptation. Kudos nonetheless for a supremely engrossing film that should win Best TV miniseries in the next Emmys. If not, British television ought to reward the makers of this film, as well as Hans Matheson and Keira Knightley for well- delivered performances.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful remake with exquisite cinematography
Review: This remake is definitely worth looking into, whether or not you are familiar with the original film. The camera work is exceptional, and I especially love how the film incorporates original footage from the Russian Revolution.
My only problem with this version is Keira Knightley, and this is coming from someone who is a huge fan of hers. Something about her performance just isn't right. I'm not sure if it is because of her age or what, but I found her unbelievable as Lara. She just seems out of place.
However, every other character is perfectly cast! Hans Matheson is right on as the poetic, torn lover, and I was very impressed with Alexandra Maria Lara's performance as Tonya.
Overall, a memorable experience.
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