Lot # 16 - 1965 Visual Program – Doctor Zhivago (Lean & Ponti Masterpiece)

1965 Visual Program – Doctor Zhivago (Lean & Ponti Masterpiece)

This exceptionally rare visual magazine program was issued in conjunction with the original 1965 theatrical release of Doctor Zhivago, David Lean’s sweeping romantic epic adapted from Boris Pasternak’s Nobel Prize-winning novel. Printed in crisp monochrome, this Japanese-issued edition features a hauntingly evocative cover photo, capturing the stark passion and tumult of Yuri and Lara’s love story against the backdrop of revolution-torn Russia.

The program credits every key contributor to this legendary cinematic achievement: Directed by the incomparable David Lean, produced by Carlo Ponti, and scripted by Robert Bolt, whose lyrical adaptation anchors the film’s emotional gravity. The monumental cast includes Omar Sharif in his defining role as Yuri Zhivago, Julie Christie as the radiant Lara Antipova, Geraldine Chaplin as Tonya, Rod Steiger as the manipulative Komarovsky, Alec Guinness as Yevgraf, Tom Courtenay as the revolutionary Pasha/Strelnikov, Ralph Richardson as Alexander Gromeko, and Siobhán McKenna as Anna. Each actor is captured in striking photographic stills, reinforcing their place in cinematic history.

The magazine honors the artistry behind the lens: cinematography by Freddie Young, who won an Academy Award for his sweeping visual compositions; production design by John Box, with art direction from Terence Marsh and Gil Parrondo; editing by Norman Savage, and iconic costume design by Phyllis Dalton. The unforgettable musical score, composed by Maurice Jarre, includes the celebrated “Lara’s Theme,” enriching the film’s emotional resonance.

Additional acknowledgments include supervising editor Anne V. Coates, assistant director Roy Stevens, and makeup artists George Blackler and Ivor Powell. Casting was managed by Irene Lamb, with set decoration by Dario Simoni and sound recording led by Gordon McCallum.

This auction listing represents a full, intact copy of the official Japanese visual program — not a reprint or revival souvenir. It is a testament to the film’s global legacy and a prized artifact for collectors of post-war cinematic ephemera. Ideal for aficionados of David Lean’s directorial brilliance, classic film scholars, and enthusiasts of international promotional memorabilia.

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