Private Life Is Dead In Russia

The scene I post here is among my favourites from David Lean's "Doctor Zhivago" (1965) based on the novel of Boris Pasternak published in 1957. A confrontation between the poet and medical doctor Zhivago, and the hardcore revolutionary Strelnikov (his name means "the shooter"). The two men used to admire each other, Zhivago admired the former Pavel Antipov's bravery and that on the other hand Zhivago's poetry. Now the poet hates what has become of Antipov, whereas he thinks Zhivago is hopelessly idealistic compared to the historical realities. Indeed, Zhivago often lives in his own world, that is how he got there in the first place, by following the beauties of nature, not knowing where he was going. Thus he finds happiness in simple things. Strelnikov, the revolutionary, wants to change the world, sacrifices his own capability for appreciating such simple beauties, for ideas he does not really believe in. I think he would rather live the life of the poet. He is as ruthless to others as to himself, he maintains that for a greater goal one has to sacrifice one's sentiments. But meeting the poet arises his doubts. I think the reason why Zhivago survives this meeting is because the Commander sees his true qualities, ones that were there in himself long ago. Ones that are now in grave contrast with his merciless present self. It has been argued that one point where the book and the film differ is the person of Pavel Antipov. True, the next, and final confrontation of the two for example is missing from the film, but I think this scene captures a lot of their relation. The whole film is a nice experience, a mixture of epic, lyric and dramatic elements made complete by the score of Maurice Jarre.