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I am a short story writer hoping to gain inspiration from the greatest films of all-time. I am also seeking motivation to watch these films, many of which I’ve put off seeing for years. I like to think I have achieved both of these goals, at least to a degree. I’m not a movie critic, though I do let an opinion slip out on occasion. I’m just trying to write where my motivation takes me. I’ll continue with it as long as the desire remains strong. The book I am using for my main guidance is "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die." I have the 5th edition, but there are newer editions out there.

Friday, January 20, 2012

DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (1965)



Classics Revisited Book Group (Posting 7)

Doctor Zhivago directed by David Lean
or
Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak

I had never seen Lean’s famous film or read Pasternak’s famous novel before my book group, so I had my work cut out for me that month. After reading and viewing, I find myself a little partial to the book, as I don’t think the film version compares with some of Lean’s other great films. There actually is a more recent television mini-series of Doctor Zhivago that gives the viewer more on the relationship between Zhivago and the love interest Lara. Of course, I would never say a television production could be superior to a David Lean film for fear of being smote by the cinematic gods.

Book or movie? I do think it’s okay to pick Pasternak’s novel here, using much of the same criteria I just used in choosing Gone With the Wind (novel) over Gone With the Wind (movie).



Posted by at 9:38 AM
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1 comments:

  1. I didn't particularly care for either one, and I found it interesting that so many people think of this as one of the great love stories. The book was a political essay disguised as a love story. The ending of both was horrible and depressing. Still, I'm glad to have read it.

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