One of the main characters enters into an affair with a much older man who also happens to be in a relationship with the character's mother.

Zhivago tends to a female patient who lies in bed with her back exposed.

There is a scene in which rape is implied, but not shown.

Late in the film, Lara and Zhivago are shown in bed together after they have had sex for the first time. We see blankets moving as Zhivago and Lara move in bed.

In a restaurant and in one of Zhivago's father-in-law's houses, nude statues of women are shown.

A group of peaceful protesters are attacked by soldiers bearing swords. A group of people are killed and several are wounded. No actual violence is shown on screen.

Komarovsky rapes Lara at one point, and she follows him to the restaurant at which he is dining and shoots him in front of the crowd that is celebrating Zhivago and Tonya's engagement. However, she only wounds him.

There are several scenes showing soldiers fighting and getting killed during World War I and the Russian Civil War.

The rape scene, though not visually graphic, can be disturbing, as it depicts the start of a psychological sexual control Komarovsky instills over Lara through a great deal of the movie.

Several uses of "bastard".

Several characters drink and smoke throughout.

The opening funeral scene is very morbid and macabre with intense music including a full close up shot of the pale looking corpse in an open lace upholstered coffin. This scene might be upsetting to some people but it all depends on the person.

The Russian Revolution scenes are quite intense, but no harsh violence is shown. Much later on, after having been a prisoner, Zhivago escapes and makes a long journey on foot through the snow and freezing weather back to his home. During this journey, he hallucinates.

The girl becomes quite agitated as she relates how Komarovsky abandoned her as a child.