Doctor Zhivago, the Oscar-winning British classic, is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Directed by Sir David Lean, known for Lawrence of Arabia and Bridge on the River Kwai, the film is an adaptation of Boris Pasternak’s novel set during the Russian Revolution. Released in 1965, it has since become one of the most enduring films in British cinema history.
The story follows Yuri Zhivago, played by Omar Sharif, a doctor and poet whose life is shaped by the political turmoil of early 20th-century Russia. His complicated love story with Lara Antipova (Julie Christie) unfolds amidst sweeping historical events, offering a personal lens through which the chaos of war and revolution is experienced.
Geraldine Chaplin, Rod Steiger, Alec Guinness, and Ralph Richardson round out the star-studded cast.
Filmed on location in Spain, Finland, and Canada to recreate the vast landscapes of Russia, Doctor Zhivago is renowned for its epic scale and meticulous attention to detail.
Lean’s direction, Freddie Young’s cinematography, and Maurice Jarre’s unforgettable score, including the iconic “Lara’s Theme,” helped the film secure five Academy Awards and cement its place in cinematic history.
Despite a mixed critical reception at its premiere, the film was a box office hit, becoming the second-highest-grossing film of all time at one point. It remains popular decades later, frequently listed among the greatest British films ever made. The British Film Institute ranks it 27th on its list of the top 100 British films.
Doctor Zhivago is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.