There can be few films more topical to celebrate than Doctor Zhivago, which a while ago passed its 55th anniversary. Based on the epic novel by Boris Pasternak the film won five Oscars in 1966. Starting during the First World War it displays from the start the Russian Revolution but at its heart the effect on ordinary Russians, albeit the main element of the film centred on a love story and human connections. Due to the underlying critique that the country had replaced one repressive regime with another perhaps more brutal, the novel was prevented from publication for many years but it grew to international acclaim when Pasternak managed to smuggle it out of Russia, eventually drawing such acclaim that Pasternak was awarded the Nobel Prize but was pressured not to go to receive it. The novel was only published in Russia when authorised by Gorbachev as part of glasnost. Directed by Sir David Lean with Omar Sharif in the lead role (who won a Golden Globe) and also featuring Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin, Sir Ralph Richardson, Sir Tom Courtenay and Rod Steiger, the film won Oscars for Best Adapted Screenplay Robert Bolt (also won GG), Best Cinematography Freddie Young, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Costume Design Phyllis Dalton, Best Music Score Maurice Jarre (also won GG). Filming took two years and 800 craftsmen in three countries and because the Soviet Union refused permission to film there, it was filmed in Spain and a set built for Moscow in a suburb of Madrid, with 4000 daffodils bought from Netherlands and planted on outskirts of Soria, Spain to reflect the estate where the Zhivagos lived with the father-in-law at Varykino, plus the rail station Yuryatin. The train ride to the Urals was filmed in Finland and Canada with the co-operation of Finnish State Railways and Canadian Pacific; also with filming between December 1964 to October 1965 at Alberta, Canada; Kiihtelyvaara & Helsinki & Lieksa & Joensuu & Punkaharju & Saimaa & Punkasalmi in Finland; Granada, Andalucia & Barajas & Canillas, Madrid & Salamanca, Spain. It is perhaps a timely book and film to pick up again in the light of world events. We hope you agree and accept our challenge – if the numbers or ratings do not suit, then please make contact.
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