Doctor Zhivago (1965) Review - An Unforgettable Literary Adaptation

 Omar Sharif was born in Alexandria, Egypt in the year 1932, on April 10th. His birth name was Michel Demitri Shalhoub. He converted to Islam in order to marry actress Faten Hamama, in 1954.

I have only seen one film of Mr.Sharif till now: Doctor Zhivago. This is a Hollywood production as Mr. Sharif as worked in both American, and Egyptian theater.

Doctor Zhivago is based on the novel of the same name by Boris Pasternak. Released in 1965, it is the eighth-highest grossing film of all time, when adjusted for inflation. It made over $110 million worldwide on a budget of $11 million.

The film's main plot concerns the titular character Yuri Zhivago (Omar Sharif), and his hardships faced during the Russian Revolution. Director David Lean (also renowned for Lawrence of Arabia) shot almost all scenes with superb realism.

It is well to note that Omar Sharif was the lead actor, but many supporting actors did their job remarkably. Julie Christie had a lot of screen-time playing the heroine. Although, it was shocking that she was nominated neither for an Academy Award, nor a Golden Globe Award.

Omar Sharif won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor, but was surprisingly not nominated for an Oscar.

Mr. Sharif's career has spun over thirty years. He has starred in over fifty movies in both the Hollywood and Egyptian film-industry. He has appeared in many critically-acclaimed Arabic TV series. Also, he has played over 10 different nationalities with ultimate showmanship.

Omar Sharif retired in 2009. But made a comeback in 2013 with the French-Moroccan movie Rock the Casbah, playing a rich businessman. Mr. Sharif might be 82, yet it looks like he has a long way to go, until he immortalizes his legacy.