Doctor Zhivago

Trivia

• This movie was torn apart by critics when first released. Newsweek, in particular, made comments about "hack-job sets" and "pallid photography". Director Sir David Lean was so deeply affected by these criticisms (despite the popularity of the movie with the general public) that he swore he would never make another movie. Thanks in part to MGM's extreme marketing campaign and strong word of mouth, this movie became an spectacular success at the box-office and the second highest grossing movie of 1965, behind The Sound of Music (1965). It received ten Academy Award nominations (including Best Picture and Director), before eventually taking home five awards. This gave Sir David Lean the utmost confidence to continue making movies. His next movie, however, Ryan's Daughter (1970), received a poisonous reception from critics and, in stark contrast to this movie, bombed at the box-office. This finally prompted Lean to retire from filmmaking for over fourteen years, until the release of A Passage to India (1984), his last movie before his death in 1991.

Goofs

• The book on the table in front of Tonya changes position and its cover rises a bit when Yevgraf sits down.

Quotes

• • Lara: Wouldn't it have been lovely if we'd met before?
  • Zhivago: Before we did? Yes.
  • Lara: We'd have got married, had a house and children. If we'd had children, Yuri, would you like a boy or girl?
  • Zhivago: I think we may go mad if we think about all that.
  • Lara: I shall always think about it.