Cheap Doctor Zhivago (TV Miniseries) (DVD) (Hans Matheson, Keira Knightley, Sam Neill) (Giacomo Campiotti) Price

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Customer Reviews of Doctor Zhivago (TV Miniseries)

A Remarkable Remake
This exceptional remake of Doctor Zhiavgo was filmed for the BBC (British television) and presented in the US on PBS KCET channel 28's "Exxonmobil Masterpiece Theatre". This is a very well done adaptation of the original. I was quite impressed, thinking that a classic masterpiece like David Lean's 1965 version starring Julie Christie and Omar Shariff could not be matched. I think this film is worth watching and is a worthy re-make. Although the 1965 version will always be superior, this is not a disposible film. Keira Knightley (British actress from such films as Pirates Of The Caribbean and most recently the romantic comedy Love Actually) stars as the elusive and elegant Lara, Doctor Zhivago's love interest. Keira Knightley's pale looks and vulnerable but passionate nature is true to Lara's character but I much prefer the healthier-looking and more vibrant Julie Christie in the role of Lara. Julie Christie is Lara and will always be. Keira is only second best. The same applies for Hans Matheson, who is directly under the great shadow of Omar Shariff's superior performance. Zhivago is played by the very young and handsome Hans Matheson, Sam Neill portrays the wicked Komarovsky. Following Boris Pasternak's novel set against the Russian Revolution of 1918, the lives of Doctor Zhivago, Lara and Tonya are forever changed. In Imperial Russia, the decadent wealthy are oppressing the poor. Such powerful people as Komarovsky engage in numerous love affairs with poor and needy young women (like Lara). Sam Neil is exceptionally corrupt in this version. He was the lawyer responsible for Zhivago's father's death and completely obcesses over claiming Lara only for himself. He is abusive to her, he rapes her and is completely controlling. Hans Matheson's Zhivago is fresh and a stray from Omar Shariff's performance. Omar Shariff was Middle Eastern and much older and it's quite refreshing to see a youthful and passionate Hans Matheson in the role of the idealistic poet doctor.

The film focuses mostly on the internal and external conflict. Externally, the world of Imperial Russia is falling apart. The Revolution has turned things around and Communism has dominated the Soviet Union after a bloody and terrifying war. The battle scenes are along the lines of "Saving Private Ryan", with that much violence, shock and graphic reality. Man's inhumanity to man is clearly presented. In addition, the film features some real silent film footage from the actual Russian Revolution at the turn of the century. The internal conflict is that of a love triangle- Doctor Zhivago is torn between two women he deeply loves, his wife and childhood sweetheart Tonya with whom he has a son Sasha and his mistress the passionate Lara. At the same time, we are able to get more of Tonya's feelings than we did in the 1965 version (Geraldine Chaplin played Tonya in that version and we did'nt get as much character for her as we do in this version). Tonya is betrayed and hurt. Zhivago is guilty he has committed adultery and cheated on his wife. Lara, on the other hand, although she is evidentially in love with Zhivago, feels obligated to fulfill her own duty to her own adolescent sweetheart whom she has married and had a son with. These marital, societal, public personas come into real conflict in the light of their private, extramarital affairs.

This is a well done two part "miniseries" and highly recommendable if you've read Boris Pasternak's epic and poetic novel as well as if you have seen the original 1965 David Lean version. The only disappointment of this production is the music. Although there are some portions of music that are pleasing - like authentic Russian balalaika instruments and folk music during Zhivago and Tonya's wedding and in the Moscow ballrooms where Komarovsky seduces Lara, the rest of the music is too generic, subtle and lacking the vitality of drama and the gorgeous romanticism of the original score by Maurice Jarre in 1965. Of course, I'm upset they did'nt even remake "Lara's Theme" the definitive romantic love theme of cinematic history right along with the Tara Theme in Gone With The Wind. They could have at least composed music that sounds more like Maurice Jarre's original or they could have contracted the now elderly Jarre to re-write music for this new adaptation. Kudos nonetheless for a supremely engrossing film that should win Best TV miniseries in the next Emmys. If not, British television ought to reward the makers of this film, as well as Hans Matheson and Keira Knightley for well- delivered performances.

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Well worth Owning
Very impressive remake. Bravo Mr. Campiotti and production crew! I was more than skeptical about his new version of Doctor Zhivago, a remake of David Lean's Classic? But then why not! And thank goodness! Hans Matheson and Keira Knightly add new demensions to the characters of Zhivago and Lara. I liked Lara much better this time around than in Lean's film and have a much better understanding of her motivation, who she is, and why Zhivago would venture into a love affair with her. Poor Tonya! In many ways I prefer this small screen version to Lean's great epic. My only complaint...and not much of that...is the score's musical cues...which remind this is a tv production. I had to keep reminding myself this version was written and shot for the tv screen as opposed to a theater. But there are some lovely musical themes. The interviews in special features with the director, writer, producer, and actors is well worth viewing. I am going to make a concentrated effort as result to read the book. What is extraodinary about this story is Zhivago's ability to find beauty in life, and love, in a particualry ugly time in history,a time of great suffering. To have awareness you are alive in your own liftetime, that life is both remarkable and wonderful! Zhivago's sensitivity comes across but was always aloof in David Lean's version. Sam Neill is a great Kamarvosky. What a delicious role! The sex scenes are filmed with taste and are in no way sensationalized. I give this version 5 stars. It was a difficult task bringing this concept to reality having Lean's version hanging over the production.

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Completelly true romance
I recorded Dr. Zivago when it came out on KCET...and this movie is completely romantic for the people who truely look at the hearth of love... I really recomand this movie for the people who believe that their is always a chance in life to be together with your true love... even if society and time separate you...