Doctor Zhivago DVD Review

"DOCTOR ZHIVAGO" reviews

DVD

DOCTOR ZHIVAGO

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2005-10-26 11:18:14

Provider

DVD Review

As with David Lean's big screen adaptation, this mini-series is based on Boris Pasternak's revered novel concerning the Russian Revolution era poet/physician, Yuri Zhivago played by Hans Matheson.

Lasting almost four hours, this is a lavish Granada TV production by screenwriter Andrew Davies that focusses intensely and engrossingly on Zhivago agonising over whether to choose his childhood sweetheart, gracefully played by Alexandra Maria Lara, or the tragically beautiful Lara who's perfectly portrayed by Keira Knightley. Sam Neill gives a memorable performance as Lara's unscrupulous lover, Komarovsky, from whom she attempts to escape.

While many will still feel that the 1965 film is the ultimate visualisation of the story, This beautifully shot TV retelling is small screen entertainment at its dramatic best.

Copyright © 2005.