Doctor Zhivago (TV Miniseries)
by Giacomo Campiotti
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DVD details
Actor: Bill Paterson, Hans Matheson, Keira Knightley, Sam MacLintock, Sam NeillDirector: Giacomo Campiotti
Producer: Alison Barnett
Producer: Andy Harries
Producer: Anne Pivcevic
Producer: Giovanna Arata
Producer: Hugh Warren
Writer: Andrew Davies
Writer: Boris Pasternak
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Subtitled)
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 225 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-11-04
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Acorn Media
DVD Reviews of Doctor Zhivago (TV Miniseries)
DVD Review: A surprisingly fine interpretation of the pasternak novel
Summary: 5 Stars
This was an utterly compelling interpretation which really captured the spirit of the Pasternak novel.I appreciated the almost architectural beauty and large landscape of the David Lean film of my generation, yet there was an emotional intensity and a depth of character exploration in this version which was missing from the earlier film. The central characters were complex and believable and not understated icons in an icy landscape.
Sam Neill as Komarovsky was a compelling figure and this time you could see why Lara was attracted to him despite the abusive nature of their relationship.Pasternak's central character, Yuri Zhivago,was depicted as a passionate but not bombastic hero. Hans Matheson captured the almost passive poetic romantic whose emotions are torn by the situations in which he finds himself which are reflected in the age of political tumoil that surrounds him.Strong performances by Keira Knightley as Lara and Alexandra Maria Lara as Tanya gave real substance to the tensions he experiences.I had never heard of Keira Knightley when I first saw this production and was amazed at the range which her intelligent acting achieved.Her real age was consistent with that of the young Lara yet she convincingly bridged the gap to the young mother of the later part of the novel. The love scenes were tender, yet passionate and Director Giacomo Campiotti is to be congratulated on his sensitive rendering of these.The relationship between Yuri and Lara truly reflected the sadness of Pasternak's poem,"The Parting."
I only bought the DVD after almost casually coming across this made for TV movie on the box.It's emotional landscape and authentic sets are strong enough to warrant a proper release at the cinema.I suspect Boris Pastenak would have much preferred it to the David Lean film and so did I !
DVD Review: Great writing/scenery but questionable acting
Summary: 3 Stars
While I never even bought into the original "love story", if you did happen to like the original, you will probably like this one and enjoy assessing the differences. Bottom line is I think I did actually like the writing in this better. The scenery is splendid. One does have a better appreciation for the characters. Funny though - Zhivago sounds between American and British, Lara sounds completely British, and Tanya is the ONLY one who speaks English with the appropriate Russian/Eastern European accent. The actress who portrayed Tanya is wonderful and believable - the rest completely Hollywood. This movie would be so much better without the horrid casting of Keira Knightly. DVD Review: Doctor Zhivago (TV Miniseries)
Summary: 5 Stars
An excellent must-see video. Keira is at her best. However one must watch it in one go (Maybe Saturday night). Thanks to Amazon for delivering it.DVD Review: Mostly Faithful to the Novel
Summary: 5 Stars
Such a great story, and it is presented here more completely than in the movie from the 1960s. All actors are very good; Miss Knightley is a bit distracting.DVD Review: DVD's with the wrong format
Summary: 1 Stars
This DVD does not play in the US format and is therefor useless to me.
Description of Doctor Zhivago (TV Miniseries)
DOCTOR ZHIVAGOA man torn between two women amid the chaos and brutality of the Russian Revolution
One of the world's most famous love stories and half a century of Russian history come to life in this adaptation of Pasternak's masterpiece by celebrated screenwriter Andrew Davies (Bridget Jones's Diary, Pride and Prejudice). War and revolution bring poet and physician Yury Zhivago (Hans Matheson) together with the beautiful Lara (Keira Knightley), his muse and all-consuming passion. But both are haunted--Yury by guilt over his betrayal of Tonya, his beloved wife, and Lara by fear of Komarovsky (Sam Neill), the powerful man who means to have her any way he can.
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE 70 minutes of cast and crew interviews, photo gallery, filmographies, Boris Pasternak biography, English subtitles.
Complete UK broadcast edition
RECOMMENDED FOR MATURE AUDIENCES
The miniseries treatment is suited to Doctor Zhivago, the sprawling Boris Pasternak novel of a Russian physician-poet whose comfortable life is upended by the Revolution. And this near-four-hour British production lucidly demonstrates that Pasternak was one heck of a storyteller: the torment of Zhivago (Hans Matheson) as he must choose between his well-bred childhood sweetheart (Alexandra Maria Lara, real comer) and the tragically beautiful Lara (Keira Knightley, from Pirates of the Caribbean) remains compelling. The TV treatment can't match the epic sweep of David Lean's feature film, of course, with its cast of thousands and astonishing production design. Devotees of that 1965 version will undoubtedly yearn for Maurice Jarre's tinkly hit "Lara's Theme," too; here, Ludovico Einaudi's score is serviceable by comparison. Matheson never gets untracked in the title role, but the uncannily gorgeous Knightley and a supremely decadent Sam Neill (as her dreadful seducer) keep their characters vital. The limitations of the small screen duly noted, the frosty location shooting is handsome. Given the choice, see the Lean film on the big screen every time; but this is sturdy introduction to a classic story. --Robert Horton
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