Movie Masterpiece: Doctor Zhivago

Not sure exactly when was the 1st time I saw this film, but I imagine it was around my political days of 2008-2009. I was first intrigued by the Russian Revolution when I saw the film Reds. I later discovered that the film Doctor Zhivago was a classic novel by Boris Pasternak, and there had been a historical epic directed by David Lean in the 1960s. I always have enjoyed historical epics and have especially been interested by the topic of the Russian Revolution (Russian Revolution, Russian Civil War). The 1st time I watched this movie, I remember the story being very complex and the images were very raw, however I still loved it! I liked the lead character of Doctor Zhivago, the musical theme, and the historical setting of Russia during the Revolution.

Since Doctor Zhivago is an older film (1965), I think it makes for a more proper image of Russia in the 1910s and 1920s. While the film is in color, there are scenes of colorless images, depicting the harsh cold and political climate of Russia during it's revolution. There are also moments of grand scale filming, depicting the Russians involvement in World War I and later their Civil War. As well as incredible landscapes of urban and rural Russia.

The story centers on the young and good-hearted Doctor Zhivago whose life is swallowed by the political storm of the revolution. He begins as a good virtued man, a medical student married to his childhood friend, Tonya. However as the revolution unfolds, he finds his good virtue beginning to dissipate, no thanks to the attractive nurse he meets, Lara. Throughout the story Zhivago is pulled in all directions by the conflict of the Revolution, of which he continuously runs into Lara. The story makes for a very complex love story in the midst of such a politically unstable backdrop.


The Historical Setting

The story begins at the height of political tension in Moscow, Russia, in the year 1913. Dr. Zhivago is a medical student and witnesses a Bolshevik protest that is massacred by Russian Imperial soldiers. While bothered by the scene, he stays neutral and focuses on his medical practice and his passion for poetry. However the world around Zhivago continues to change and he is eventually conscripted to join the Russian Army at WWI. It is here that he meets and falls for Lara, who is searching for her husband. Zhivago witnesses the Russian soldier's frustration with the tsar. The war is the last straw for the political tension, and soon thousands of Russians begin to desert the pointless war. As the movie states this is the beginning of the revolution.

By 1917, while away at war Zhivago learns that the Tsar has stepped down and a new government has been formed. When he returns to his home and family in Moscow he discovers that their are new living provisions in place, in which multiple families share his home. He is also assigned to a new hospital in Moscow with higher hours. Yet Zhivago remains optimistic about the new state of his nation and adapts to the changes while continuing with his poetry.

However things only grow worse in the newly found state as starvation and sickness begin to spread. To make matters worse Zhivago's poems are condemned by the government and he must flee Moscow with his family. With the help of his brother, he is able to flee Moscow, and travel eastward to the Ural Mountains, on a long 11 day train ride which demonstrates a raw glimpse into the misery of the setting. In the town of Varykino Zhivago is able to live a satisfied life with his wife, child, and father in-law. That is until he runs into Lara, yet again and the two begin their love affair.

Zhivago is later forced to re-enlist for the army, this time to join the Red Army's military campaign against counterrevolutionaries. After 2 years of service he deserts the battlefront and discovers his wife and family have left Varykino. He then reunites with Lara, and they continue their love affair. That is until they discover that they are both in grave danger for different reasons. Lara goes into hiding in the far east regions while Zhivago eventually returns back to Moscow. He spends his last few years in great misery and dies of a heart attack.


The Characters: 

Doctor Yuri Zhivago: (played by Omar Shariff) He is the ideal optimist; a family man, a hard working doctor, a passionate poet, and a good citizen. Even as the revolution unfolds he supports it and does his part in adapting to the new system. However his greatest flaw is his passion, which unravels when he meets and has an affair with Lara. This characterization of Zhivago is an example how even the most moral and good hearted person can be broken by his surroundings. Had it not been for the Russian Revolution and his constant run-ins with the beautiful Lara, he could have lived a very prosperous life.

Lara Antipova: (played by Julie Christie) She is a peaceful kind devoted person, whose only flaw is her beauty. At the young age of 17 she is involved in a relationship with an older upper class man named Komarovsky. She later breaks away from him to marry a young revolutionary named Pasha. However Pasha's involvement with the Russian revolution destroys their marriage and leaves Lara alone. It is at this point that she is constantly drawn to Zhivago thru chance meetings as well as a growing desire for him.

Tonya Gromeko: (played by Geraldine Chaplin) She is the devoted loving wife of Zhivago who wants nothing more than to make him happy. She supports him through everything always true and faithful. Even after she discovers of the affair and is forced to leave Russia, she wishes him all the best luck and happiness in the world.

Pasha Antipov/ Streinikov: (played by Tom Courtenay) He is committed to the revolution more than anything, even his beautiful wife Lara. At a peaceful protest he is terribly scarred by the Imperial Cossacks which leads him to grow more extreme in his political views. During WWI he vanishes for a while of which Lara enlists as a nurse to go find him. He later reappears in the story as the ruthless commander known as Streinikov. He is later captured by the Red Army and kills himself on his way to his execution.

Victor Ipolitovich Komarovsky: (played by Rod Steiger) He is a well connected upper clansman involved in a relationship with the much younger Lara. He is a very complex character; wise yet wicked, cruel yet truly cares for Lara. He backs off when he discovers Lara's intentions to marry Pasha, however he warns her that his political idealism will lead to a life of unhappiness. He later comes to her aid at the end of the story after Pasha's death, and provides Lara protection in the far eastern regions of Russia.

Yevgraf Andreyevich Zhivago: (played by Alec Guinness) He is the pragmatic narrator of the story, the brother of Yuri. As a member of the Bolshevik party he joins the war to enlist men and strengthen their campaign against the tsar. After the revolution he becomes a CHEKA officer and helps his brother escape Moscow. Years after his brother's death Yevgraf interrogates a woman he believes to be Yuri and Lara's daughter. After he realizes she is their daughter lost as the far eastern region he offers to help her as only an uncle can.

The Filming and Score

After great success with the epic films The Bridge on the River Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia, David Lean was chosen as the ideal director for this historical epic. Similar to the film Reds, the Soviet Union would not allow foreign productions into their country; especially since the work of Boris Pasternak was outlawed and considered anti-communist. Therefore much of this film was shot in other parts of Europe such as Spain and Finland to provide striking landscapes.

Lean's perspective of the story was displayed thru strong characterization and the use of expressions and symbolism. He went on to be nominated for best director however did not win. Tom Courtneay was also nominated for his portrayl of Pasha yet did not win. The film was nominated for 10 academy awards and won 5 in the categories of Art Direction, Cinematography, Adapted Screenplay, Costume Design, and Original Score. The famous theme song by Maurice Jarre has been quite iconic for the film. It's use of the balalaika is the embodiment of Russian culture.