I really enjoyed Omar Sharif and Julie Christie in the original movie adaptation of Doctor Zhivago, and I’ve thought about reading the book.

I was hoping that the mini-series version would add more detail than what was possible in the original feature length film. Unfortunately, it did not seem like they made much use of the extra time, and in fact, it seemed like there was more of the story in the original version. The extra time in the mini series seems to be spent with long camera shots and slow transitions.

I like Yuri’s character: optimist, romantic, poet, dreamer. Kiera Knightley does an excellent job playing Lara. It’s unfortunate that the film’s wasn’t able to do a better job showing the characters age. Lara is supposed start the film at 16 and end somewhere about 30. Yuri seems to just grow more facial hair as he ages.

The thing I missed the most about this version of the film was the soundtrack. I can’t think of Dr. Zhivago without thinking about the soundtrack from the original motion picture. The music is a central theme in the original, and in the remake, it seems merely like an afterthought.

Well… with reservations. i don’t like the story at all, but i did like this movie version better than the old one. But all around Yury is just rotten for cheating on his wife. Sam Niell’s character was even worse, though. One part of the film (bumping against the door) was especially nauseating. Anyways, if you have to see it, might as well see this version.