Reviews

A movie based on an all -time great classic novel by Boris Pasternak.The story reflects Dr Zhivago's early optism about the revolution after he witnesses the massacre of innocent street men marching for bread and his later disillusionment with the Bolshevik Revolution where he feels one's individuality is trampled upon.The Characters of Victor Khmorosky and Pasha Sternikov throw significant light on the political situation of that time.

Omar Sharif enacts the character of Dr.Zhivago with brilliant intensity, showing great sensitivity .THe scenes where 'Lara's theme'is played and Lara is either with him or about to leave him and when he is writing his 'Lara'poems are amongst the most heart touching moments in the history of Films.Dr.Zhivago's eyes tell the story .Dr.Zhivago,is so much in love with his Country that he refuses to leave Russia ,even when Lara is leaving which is significant .Even the original book was not anti-communist however apolitical Dr .Zhivago remained.Scenes are wonderfully contrasted and shifted in the movie and the love story of Dr Zhivago and Lara is brilliantly merged with the political happenings of the time.The scenes where Dr Zhivago treats Victor Khmorosky after Lara shoots at him in a party,when Dr Zhivago meets Pasha Antipov in the train and when the Dr. meets his brother Evgraf are of great significance portraying the theme of the story.In the story Dr.Zhivago to a great extent portrays Boris Pasternak's disillusionment with the revolution. One of the all time great movies,with great direction and casting.Every actor does justice to the part he is playing.Omar Sharif gives one of the best acting displays ever in the history of Hollywood.

Harsh Thakor

One of the greatest films ever made in India.No film has ever evoked my heart to such an extent and it's philosophy is outstanding.THe musical theme is magnificent and the songs remarkable.The story of a clown making the world laugh while secretly brushing that tear from his eye is like re-writing the life of Charlie Chaplin in the Indian form.The symbol of the joker however is over repeated after the first part which partly created a monotony for viewers.

I can never forger the scene when he smiles with a tear in his eyes after removing his glasses telling Russian actress Marina in the Circus that he is not sad.It is an absolutely heart touching film unsurpassed in the annals of Indian film history.

By Harsh Thakor

TIt is a landmark film being the first ever 7o m.m film.made in India.Adapting a Western film theme to Indian Conditions is a remarkable achievement and the gun -weilding action scenes remind One of the Sergi Leone Spaghetti Westerns like 'A Few Dollars More".The Cinematography is classical.

What demarcates this film from an average one is the classical direction. The way scenes showing the Thakur's arms being amputated by Gabbar,the Thakur's grandson being shot by Gabbar and Ahmed ,the village boy being tortured to death are effectively cut reveal this aspect.The way Gabbbar Singh is introduced is classical where he is shown walking on the rocks revealing only his legs .However there are contradictory aspects in the film's script like a Thakur defending the lives of the village peasants(Traditionally Thakurs were landlords who terrorised the peasants)and 2 urban based gangsters wishing to settle down in a village.

Sholay falls marginally short of a classic like Mughal -E-Azam.It does not relate to Social reality as films like "Mother India'or Do Bhiga Zameen' nor has the philosophical depth of films like 'Pyaasa' or 'Mera Naam Joker'.

That does not deny that it is the best film of it's type ever made in India and it's impact on the Indian psyche has been unparalleled in the history of Indian Cinema.The acting of Amjad Khan and Sanjeev Kumar are displays of true genius.

There is also a moral aspect to the film unlike the Italian Spaggheti westerns of the 1960's.

By Harsh Thakor