Doctor Zhivago (2002) DVD Reviews

Starring	Sam Neill, Chris Marshall, Hans Matheson, Bill Paterson
Director	Giacomo Campiotti
Genres	Drama

Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Doctor Zhivago
View all
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful

Not great, not rubbish

New to the Dr Zhivaho story, I wasn't 'expecting' anything, and I feel that's just what I got. In this remake you have loads of recognised actors, all with Russian accents that come and go, and a TV series feel that robs all the scenes of any feeling of reality. First world War scenes with no grit or pain, love scenes and revolution with no heart, just a story being told that keeps you interested only if you feel you've wasted enough of your time to see it to the end. In my personal opinion, get the original to see what all the fuss was about.
- - A customer from Lincoln, England
  - Posted 11 Jul 2006 08:58
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

So-so, totally lacking in Pasternak

Having read the Pasternak's novel (with the added advantage of been able to do it in Russian), I always thought it would be near impossible to make an adaptation worthy of its source. Never particularly liked the David Lean's version but at least the lead characters had some strengths and complexity which is more than can be said for the present cast. Perpetually pouting Knightley trying to act like a Russian, which she can't do, and not really delivering the essence of Lara's character in all other aspects. The scenes of Russian revolution are not ringing true either (still in this day and age when Russia's been an open country for decades now, do your research, please!!) and the ending is pure embarrassment. If you rent this DVD for its star appeal, you are likely to enjoy it drooling over Hans Matheson and Sam Neill but that's probably the only value of this film.
- - A customer from London
  - Posted 11 Mar 2008 11:32
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful

Supurb

How could anyone replicate one of the gretest films of all time. Well they have, the supurb score might be missing, and some of the breathtaking scenary, but a more flowing plot and fantastic performances make this a better version of pasternack's classic. Knightley is strong and beautiful, Pasha is far very believable as is Neil,,,,only Shariff's performance isn't matched, but that is no insult.
- - A customer from london
  - Posted 17 Oct 2005 12:25
Most recent members' reviews (2) of Doctor Zhivago
View all
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

So-so, totally lacking in Pasternak

Having read the Pasternak's novel (with the added advantage of been able to do it in Russian), I always thought it would be near impossible to make an adaptation worthy of its source. Never particularly liked the David Lean's version but at least the lead characters had some strengths and complexity which is more than can be said for the present cast. Perpetually pouting Knightley trying to act like a Russian, which she can't do, and not really delivering the essence of Lara's character in all other aspects. The scenes of Russian revolution are not ringing true either (still in this day and age when Russia's been an open country for decades now, do your research, please!!) and the ending is pure embarrassment. If you rent this DVD for its star appeal, you are likely to enjoy it drooling over Hans Matheson and Sam Neill but that's probably the only value of this film.
- - A customer from London
  - Posted 11 Mar 2008 11:32
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful

Supurb

How could anyone replicate one of the gretest films of all time. Well they have, the supurb score might be missing, and some of the breathtaking scenary, but a more flowing plot and fantastic performances make this a better version of pasternack's classic. Knightley is strong and beautiful, Pasha is far very believable as is Neil,,,,only Shariff's performance isn't matched, but that is no insult.
- - A customer from london
  - Posted 17 Oct 2005 12:25

6 out of 7 people found this review helpful

Not great, not rubbish

New to the Dr Zhivaho story, I wasn't 'expecting' anything, and I feel that's just what I got. In this remake you have loads of recognised actors, all with Russian accents that come and go, and a TV series feel that robs all the scenes of any feeling of reality. First world War scenes with no grit or pain, love scenes and revolution with no heart, just a story being told that keeps you interested only if you feel you've wasted enough of your time to see it to the end. In my personal opinion, get the original to see what all the fuss was about.
- - A customer from Lincoln, England
  - Posted 11 Jul 2006 08:58
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

So-so, totally lacking in Pasternak

Having read the Pasternak's novel (with the added advantage of been able to do it in Russian), I always thought it would be near impossible to make an adaptation worthy of its source. Never particularly liked the David Lean's version but at least the lead characters had some strengths and complexity which is more than can be said for the present cast. Perpetually pouting Knightley trying to act like a Russian, which she can't do, and not really delivering the essence of Lara's character in all other aspects. The scenes of Russian revolution are not ringing true either (still in this day and age when Russia's been an open country for decades now, do your research, please!!) and the ending is pure embarrassment. If you rent this DVD for its star appeal, you are likely to enjoy it drooling over Hans Matheson and Sam Neill but that's probably the only value of this film.
- - A customer from London
  - Posted 11 Mar 2008 11:32
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful

Supurb

How could anyone replicate one of the gretest films of all time. Well they have, the supurb score might be missing, and some of the breathtaking scenary, but a more flowing plot and fantastic performances make this a better version of pasternack's classic. Knightley is strong and beautiful, Pasha is far very believable as is Neil,,,,only Shariff's performance isn't matched, but that is no insult.
- - A customer from london
  - Posted 17 Oct 2005 12:25
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Best feature ever made!!

This version of Doctor Zhivago has got to be the best one ever made. Its got such a gripping story and at times it can be very sad. It helps that the man who plays Uri (Hans Mathereson) is dishy
- - Marylou clifford from England
  - Posted 13 Apr 2006 18:58
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Customer Review

This film comes closer than I would have imagined to capturing the beauty and pathos of Pasternak's novel. Comparisons with the 1965 classic are inevitable but I would go along with the heretical view that, in many ways, this is the superior adaptation. For a start it is longer, and this is an enormous advantage in handling such a vast and complex work. But more importantly, it somehow manages to hit all the right emotions. It is not perfect. For instance, Lara's husband, Pasha, could have portrayed somewhat more of the depth and intensity of his fictional counterpart. But this is a minor issue given spot-on performances by Hans Matheson, Keira Knightley and Sam Neill. The musical score by Ludovico Einaudi perfectly suits the sensations of love, loss and sadness that remain for a long time after the film has finished.
- - A customer from UK
  - Posted 23 Jun 2008 15:22
A Classic Renewed

The original is my mum's favourite film ever, so I rented this updated title for her to watch and she was very entertained by the film.
- - A customer from Kent
  - Posted 03 Jun 2005 21:50
Superb

This television version gives a different aspect to Dr Zhivago. Acting was superb. I don't think it will replace the original Omar Shariff film but it is something I will watch again and again, as I do the original The book is also one that I often return to. This version focuses more on the fated love between Lara and Zhivago and their struggles in a difficult time period, but does not forget the tensions of a war torn country. Terrific viewing.
- - A customer from dover, england
  - Posted 23 Nov 2005 09:23
Enjoyable

Very good, probably not quite as good as the original, but the stars are very gorgeous!!! Loved it.
- - A customer from Glasgow, Scotland
  - Posted 03 Feb 2006 12:19
Beautiful and Moving

A tale of the winding roads of love and misfortunes of life. Beautifully acted.
- - A customer from UK
  - Posted 04 Apr 2006 13:01
Stunningly Beautiful Adaptation

Directed by Giacomo Campiotti and with a screenplay by Andrew Davis, this interpretation poignantly and movingly revisits the novel and successfully explores the complexity of the characters and their relationships. This strength is coupled with the unflinching approach to the treatment of the historical and political aspects of the novel and the impact of external events on the lives of the characters. There is a strong cast and an especially charismatic and sensitive central performance from Hans Matheson as Yuri, who seems to capture the poetic essence of the character perfectly. Keira Knightly is equally charismatic and convincing as the paradoxical Lara, despite the fact that she was only 17 when she was cast in this film. Sam Neill delivers quality as usual. Also, there is a beautiful score. Get your hankies out!!!! A five star rating and deservedly so!
- - A customer from South Oxfordshire
  - Posted 14 Jul 2006 23:41

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- Doctor Zhivago
  
  A young married man Yury Zhivago falls in love with a Lara. Meanwhile Lara attempts to escape from her lover Komarovsky.
  This television mini-series, based on Boris Pasternak's romantic novel, set amid the atrocious, bloody events of the Russian Revolution, stars Hans Matheson as Yury Zhivago ...