Doctor Zhivago
US (1965): Drama/War/Romance
MGM insisted that the "Doctor" in Doctor Zhivago be spelled out rather than abbreviated to "Dr." in all advertising, a tip-off that the studio wanted the film to be considered an intellectual "thinking man's" epic like Lawrence of Arabia rather than a mere entertainment like The Sound of Music. Based on the Nobel Prize-winning novel by Boris Pasternak, Zhivago covers the years prior to, during and after the Russian Revolution, as seen through the eyes of poet/physician Yuri Zhivago (Omar Sharif). In the fine tradition of Russian novels, a multitude of characters and subplots intertwine within the film's 197 minutes, plus intermission. Zhivago is married to Tonya (Geraldine Chaplin), but carries on an affair with Lara (Julie Christie), who has been raped by ruthless politician Komarovsky (Rod Steiger). Meanwhile, Zhivago's half-brother Yevgraf (Alec Guinness) and the mysterious, revenge-seeking Strelnikoff (Tom Courteney) represent the "good" and "bad" elements of the Bolshevik revolution. Though director David Lean handles the massive riot, execution, battle and escape scenes with his usual spectacular panache, the film scored its biggest points with the audience in terms of the Yuri/Lara romance. Who can forget those colorful symbolic shots of spring flowers, orgasmically blossoming as the lovers rendezvous in Yuri's remote rural cabin -- set to the tune of Maurice Jarre's balalaika-dominated theme music? Zhivago won 5 Oscars®:, but the Best Picture Award went to that "mere entertainment" The Sound of Music. (Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide)
10 nominations, 5 Awards
· Writing (Best Screenplay based on material from another medium) 1965: Robert Bolt
· Art Direction/Set Decoration (Color) 1965: John Box & Terry Marsh - Art Direction, Dario Simoni - Set Decoration
· Cinematography (Color) 1965: Freddie Young
· Costume Design (Color) 1965: Phyllis Dalton
· Music Scoring Awards (Music Score substantially original) 1965: Maurice Jarre
· Best Picture 1965: Carlo Ponti - Producer (Ponti, MGM)
· Supporting Actor 1965: Tom Courtenay
· Directing 1965: David Lean
· Film Editing 1965: Norman Savage
· Sound 1965: A.W. Watkins, Franklin E. Milton (MGM Studio Sound Department)