Best movie of this year hands down!

A different way of telling a story

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Blistering performances.

Doctor Zhivago is a television movie that stars Hans Matheson,Keira Knightley,Sam Neill and Kris Marshall.The teleplay by Andrew Davies is based on the 1957 novel of the same title by Boris Pasternak.It was directed by Giacomo Campiotti. Doctor Zhivago is the story of the young and beautiful Lara,who is involved with three men: a revolutionary, a mogul, and a doctor. Their lives become intertwined with the drama of Russian revolution when Doctor Zhivago is still married when he meets Lara. Their love story is unfolding against the backdrop of revolution which affects the doctor's career, his family, and his romance with Lara.Doctor Zhivago television movie is a better adaptation of Pasternak's novel as compared to the 1965 film.Also,it was electrifying in its presentation of the ardor of guilt, betrayal, and love.And most of all,it has a first-rate script and vital direction.And most of all,special mention should be given to Keira Knightley for her performance as Lara.

This version is a lot more faithful to Pasternak's book than David Lean's version. It is great. It doesn't have to compete with the David lean version. It stands up very well on its own. Ludovico Einaudi's score is every bit as good as Maurice Jarre's. I also think that Keira Knightley is better as Lara than Julie Christie was. I also think she's better than Andrea Corr would have been and I'm a dyed in the wool Corrs fan. It was sensible casting young actors who are the age the characters are meant to be at the outset of the story and then ageing them via makeup. One is a bit incredulous when one sees David Lean's version and Pasha says Lara is 17. Julie Christie looks the age she was when the film was made, namely mid-20s. Each actor puts a different interpretation on his or her character from the 1965 version. Bill Paterson makes Monsieur Gromyko less pompous than Ralph Richardson did. He's also quite charming where he pretends a knotted handkerchief is a rat for the children at the beginning. Sam Neill makes Monsieur Komarovsky more menacing and sinister than Rod Steiger did. He also doesn't have the paternalistic streak that Rod Steiger had. Mr Neill has also given older guys carte blanche to wax lyrical about Keira Knightley. He's done scenes with her and he's about 40 years older than her. Kris Marshall doesn't portray Pasha Antipov as Tom Courtenay's angry young man. He's shown to be quite a fun guy when he swings about ringing church bells which are standing in frames in the street to amuse Lara and her classmates. But he still becomes just as psychotic and unfeeling as Tom Courtenay's interpretation. But, as in the 1965 version, Zhivago is portrayed as a throroughly decent guy who starts off very well in life and his life ends sadly. This version also shows some grim aspects of the revolution such as mutilation, children being murdered and cannibalism, which of course was referred to by Alec Guinness in the 1965 version. This is a very good adaptation which I would recommend to fans of the 1965 version and even more so to fans of the book.

everything in this movie is outstanding and exceptional. The play of Hans Matheson and Keira Knightley is much more than good,it is simply perfect. And tell me ... isn't Keira the best actress,she's only 16/17 in this movie and she plays like she was born for this role,and Hans Matheson,i haven't heard of him till yesterday,but now,i'll be looking for his movies because as you saw,he is not just mediocre actor,he is something more ... and he deserves attention. I haven't watched the original Doctor Zhivago and haven't read the book of Boris Pasternak but after i watched the movie,i have no desire to read and watch the originals because this "Doctor Zhivago" has run into my brain so deeply that it can hardly come out of there ...

I completely disagree with the other review on here about this film. This is a remarkable film- it is simply one of the best films I have ever seen. I haven't however, seen the original and when re-makes are done they are inevitably compared to the original. However, even when I do get round to watching the original I know it cannot detract from the brilliance of this version! The performances are absolutely superb all round especially from the two leads (including Kiera Knightly who excels herself in this film I'm not usually too much of a fan of her acting). A truly amazing performance comes from Kris Marshall who plays Strelnikof/ Pasha Antipof- I am in love with this man!! I am now forever a fan. The film is thought-provoking, harrowing and heart-warming in equal measure. Watch this film!