PudgyPandaMan I have never understood people's fascination and love of tortured love stories? Like this one, "Thornbirds" and others like them? Yury is married to a beautiful and sweet woman. They have great history together. And yet he can't resist the temptation of Lara. I think its a pity that adultery gets glamorized by Hollywood and we all buy it as some great love story. It is just cheap lust that is repackaged as star-crossed lovers meant to be together.I for one don't buy it and see it for the garbage it is, no matter how beautiful the scenery, the landscapes, the soundtrack music etc. Wake up people!

emmalouise262 I don't understand why people say that the attraction between Yury and Lara in this version is not as obvious as in the original. The chemistry between them is undeniable, Keira is beautiful and tragic and portrays a real need to be saved which i think would completely appeal to Yury. Alexandra Maria Lara, while pretty, does not possess the same obvious beauty as Keira and i think she does a brilliant job of playing the needy, average housewife. Lara and Yury have a deep connection, which even as they travel along separate paths, still brings them together throughout their lives. The end scene where Yury sees Lara for the last time is incredible. The look in Hans Mathesons eyes as he watches her walk past the window is so poignant that i don't believe anyone watching it could fail to be moved. So magnificent was the acting between these two throughout i had to remind myself at times that they were only actors. Keira is strong and weak all at the same time, she is suitably seduced yet repulsed by victor and i think this is important as she does not just appear as a victim which adds a new dimension to their relationship and almost makes the story slightly more sordid and less pure. The one problem i had as a viewer with the original was that Julie Christie's performance made Lara appear as a innocent victim rather than a strong woman who survives through one of the most turbulent times of Russian history whilst constantly fighting against the manipulative Victor.

randb-4 Never having seen the original version of Dr Zhivago I can't really compare,but for me Keira Knightley just doesn't work in the role of Lara. This is a woman that a previously proper moral man would betray his wife for. That just doesn't ring true. Tonya was sweet,beautiful and loving, why would Yury risk that for this Lara? The chemistry just wasn't there. Am I also the only person that thinks that Keira isn't such a great actress? Lots of pouting and over pronunciation isn't a substitute for fine acting. Sam Neil was suitably menacing,though I didn't feel like he had such a hold over Lara. Kris Marshall, an actor that I really like wasn't convincing as the Pasha/strenlikov character. Hans as Zhivago was adequate, but so nice to look at that I can forgive him any acting shortcoming. My favourite performance was from Alexandra Maria Lara as the betrayed wife. I found myself swallowing hard and blinking back tears when she confronts Lara.All in all not a bad way to pass 4 hours of ironing-considering it was a free gift with the newspaper!

stoyan_bg89 This is my favorite movie. Believe me I have read the book and I am telling you that this version of the film is better than the book because it is more dynamic and has some additional very good scenes that contribute to the whole effect the movie has when watched. The leading actors are actually perfect. I am a huge fan of Hans Matheson and Keira knightly. I have watched most of Keira's movies and I can honestly say that this is her best. It is the most dramatic story I have ever heard of because the story develops in the background of the bolshevik revolution in Russia and tells about the controversial fates of two people who in spite of the fact that have families and kids fell in love with each other.Their love is thwarted by the social hardship of the time and by their responsibilities to family and country but lives through it all and survives.