Director: David Lean
Rated: PG
Runtime: 200 minutes

Cast: Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, Rod Steiger, Geraldine Chaplin, Tom Courtenay, Alec Guiness

Based on the Nobel Prize-winning novel by Boris Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago covers the years prior to, during, and after the Russian Revolution, as seen through the eyes of poet/physician Yuri Zhivago (Sharif). In the tradition of Russian novels, a multitude of characters and subplots intertwine within the film’s 197 minutes (plus intermission).

Zhivago is married to Tonya (Chaplin), but carries on an affair with Lara (Julie Christie), who has been raped by ruthless politician Komarovsky (Steiger). Meanwhile, Zhivago’s half-brother Yevgraf (Guinness) and the mysterious, revenge-seeking Strelnikoff (Courteney) represent the “good” and “bad” elements of the Bolshevik revolution.

The film earned five Academy Awards in all, including statues for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Score and Best Screenplay.