Doctor Zhivago (1965)

VHS COVER/SIDE

Length of film:  200 Minutes

Rated: PG-13 Genre: Drama, Romance, War

Director: David Lean

Starring: Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin, Rod Stegier, Alec Guinness

IMDB Rank: 8/10

Part 1 Time: 120 Minutes Part 2 Time: 80 Minutes

Where does the first part end? Commander Strelnikov’s (Pasha) train speeds quickly past as Yuri and others watch from outside of their train.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “That’s Commander Strelnikov.” Russian woman speaking to the group as a train speeds past.

First line of dialogue on the second part:  “Daddy, what’s that noise?” Shasha speaks with his father Yuri inside the train.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, Yuri has escaped Moscow with Tonya and his son Shasha unharmed. But they are traveling through a hostile civil war area. Will they all make it safely to Tonya’s families estate unharmed?

Which part is better? Part two is significantly better since it reignites the affair between Yuri and Lana causing the birth of Tonya (daughter of Yuri and Lana). Part two ties up many loose ends, including the outcome of both Yuri and Lana as well as the possible connection between Tonya and General Yevgraf.

Academy Awards: Best Writing- Based on Material from Another Medium, Best Cinematography-Colour, Best Art Direction-Set Direction Colour, Best Costume Design-Colour, Best Musical Score- Substantially Original, Best Picture (Nominated), Best Supporting Actor (Nominated- Tom Courtenay), Best Director (Nominated), Best Sound (Nominated), Best Film Editing (Nominated).