WHV Press Release: Doctor Zhivago 45th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray)

"At once generous yet austere, huge but never out of human scale, gently unfolded yet full of power, it is a work of serious genuine art."

--Richard Schickel, LIFE

DOCTOR ZHIVAGO
45TH ANNIVERSARY EDITIONS

 DEBUT MAY 4 ON BLU-RAY^TM & DVD

Warner Home Video Celebrates David Lean’s Historic Epic

 Anniversary Editions Feature New Bonus Content and Exclusive to the Blu-ray Book a CD Soundtrack Sampler

Burbank, Calif., January 11, 2010 – On May 4, Warner Home Video (WHV) debuts another magnificent state-of-the-art restoration on Blu-ray disc, this one to mark the 45th anniversary of Doctor Zhivago -- David Lean’s romantic epic film, adapted from Boris Pasternak’s Pulitzer Prize novel, which captured ten Academy Award^® nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, and five wins. Released with brand new bonus content, there will be two versions -- a premium Blu-ray Book ($35.99 SRP) and a 45th Anniversary Edition ($24.98 SRP).

“We’re very excited about this meticulous new restoration from Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging and, in particular, how incredible Doctor Zhivago will look on Blu-ray,” said George Feltenstein, WHV’s Senior Vice President, Theatrical Catalog Marketing. “The qualities that have kept the film so vital and popular all these years – the sweeping love story, the gorgeous vistas and unforgettable imagery -- are all dramatically enhanced through the unprecedented technical capabilities of Blu-ray. The result is not only breathtakingly beautiful to look at but also provides a magnificent aural experience with Zhivago’s highly-lauded sound mix presented with unprecedented clarity and dimension.”

Both versions boast a new documentary on the enduring legacy of the film while the Blu-ray Book will contain 44 pages of insightful essays, cast photos, historical film facts and a CD with eight selections from the Oscar^®-winning soundtrack that featured “Lara’s Theme” -- one of the best-selling soundtrack recordings of all time.   

Doctor Zhivago will also be available day and date on Video on Demand from cable and satellite providers. The films will be offered for electronic download from online retailers including iTunes, Microsoft Xbox LIVE, Zune video marketplace and Amazon Video on Demand.

Omar Sharif (Lawrence of Arabia, Funny Girl) and Julie Christie (NY I Love You, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) star in Doctor Zhivago, which was the last of the three great historical sagas directed by David Lean, the grand master of the genre. (His others were The Bridge on the River Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia, which won him Best Director Oscars^®). Filled with passion, drama, personal and political strife, the film also stars Geraldine Chaplin, Rod Steiger, Alec Guinness, Ralph Richardson and Tom Courtenay.

Oscars^®Dr. Zhivago won were for Best Screenplay (Robert Bolt), Best Cinematography (Freddie Young), Best Music Score (Maurice Jarre), Best Art Direction - Set Decoration (John Box, Terence Marsh, Dario Simoni) and Best Costume Design (Phyllis Dalton). The film was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Editing, Best Sound, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor (Courtenay).

New Special Features:

·         Doctor Zhivago: A Celebration Part 1 & 2 (all-new production)

Additional Special Features:

·           Commentary by Omar Sharif, Rod Steiger and Lady Sandra Lean
              (wife of David Lean) Part 1 & 2

·           Introduction by Omar Sharif         

·           Doctor Zhivago: The Making of a Russian Epic

·           11 Vintage Featurettes                             

 ·        Trailer

·          Blu-ray Exclusive: 8-Song CD Soundtrack Sampler of the Oscar®-winning score 

About the Film

The 1965 film captures the essence of Boris Pasternak’s Russian novel of remarkable passion and sweeping grandeur, presenting an intimate and deeply emotional story against the enormous backdrop of the Russian Bolshevik Revolution.  Over the years, critics have noted that while famous for its portrayal of one of the most cataclysmic periods of the 20^th century, the ultimate power of Doctor Zhivago emanates from Lean’s

rendering of the fragile, yet indomitable human spirit -- and its capacity for love. Accompanied by Maurice Jarre’s hauntingly memorable score and Freddie Young’s rich photography, the film achieves a lavish level of production values rarely surpassed to this day. 

Omar Sharif stars in the title role of Doctor Zhivago, portraying the surgeon-poet over a half-century period.  Zhivago, who is married to Tonya (Geraldine Chaplin), an aristocratic girl with whom he raises a family, is also in love with Lara (Julie Christie), a nurse whose life has been destroyed by tragedy.  Repeatedly brought together and separated from each woman by war and revolution, Zhivago is torn apart by conflict.  He loves Tonya deeply but his poetic soul belongs to Lara.  Much like his beloved country, Zhivago’s spirit becomes battered by the devastation of war as he struggles to maintain his individualism in the face of overwhelming odds.

DOCTOR ZHIVAGO 45^th ANNIVERSARY EDITIONS

Street Date: May 4, 2010

Order Date: March 30, 2010

DOCTOR ZHIVAGO 45^th ANNIVERSARY EDITION BLU-RAY BOOK

Blu-ray™ Hi-Def Catalog #: 1000110156

$35.99 SRP

DOCTOR ZHIVAGO 45^thANNIVERSARY EDITION

DVD Catalog #: 1000110508

$24.98 SRP

Feature Running Time: 197 Minutes; Rated PG-13

16x9 Widescreen, Color

Audio: English

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Note: All enhanced content listed above is subject to change.