Sophia Loren was considered to play the part and I think the chemistry between her and Omar would have been great. One can watch More than a Miracle where they are both great and see what it would have looked like. Omar played the part beautifully but I think Julie Christie as beautiful as she is was not the greatest choice.
shareSophia Loren was considered to play the part
To say nothing of the fact that she looked only a little more Russian than Diana Ross.
Besides, I doubt Loren ever looked like a virgin, even when she was one.
Sophia Loren was considered to play the part
Sophia Loren wasn't actually "considered" for the part. Her husband, Carlo Ponti, obtained the rights to the film hoping that she would be cast in the role. But she was too old by the time the film was ready for pre-production. David Lean said to Ponti, "She can have the role as soon as you pursuade me she will be believable as a 17-year-old virgin." Loren was 30 at the time, and could not possibly have passed for a girl so much younger. Even when she was younger, she had a very mature and worldly look which would not have suited the character of the young Lara.
No.
For instance, how credible would Sophia have been delivering Lara's outraged denial to Victor's insult, "You, my dear are a slut!"
Outraged virtue was not in Sophia's make up.