Look out for... 'Doctor Zhivago'

From New York Daily News September 14

By Chrissy Persico

Nearly 40 years after director David Lean brought Boris Pasternak's "Doctor Zhivago" to the screen, "Masterpiece Theatre" presents a new version of this epic tale of romance amid war and revolution.

Scottish actor Hans Matheson stars as Yury Zhivago (originally played by Omar Sharif), the surgeon-poet struggling between loyalty to his devoted wife and undying love for his beautiful muse.

Keira Knightley, recently seen scoring goals in "Bend It Like Beckham" and carousing with Johnny Depp in "Pirates of the Caribbean," takes on the role of Zhivago's lover and inspiration, Lara Antipova, immortalized by Julie Christie. A villainous Sam Neill plays Lara's stalker, Komarovsky.

The televised movie, written by Andrew Davies, promises material that never made it into Lean's film. Viewers can be sure thepassionate, snowy scene capturing Zhivago and Lara's first stolen moment is steamier than the standard PBS fare. "Doctor Zhivago" airs on PBS on Nov. 2 and 9.

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