In pictures: Zhivago v Deronda

BBC News Online charts the rocky road travelled by rival costume dramas Dr Zhivago and Daniel Deronda as they make their debuts on BBC One and ITV1 this weekend.

Celebrated scriptwriter and period specialist Andrew Davies was commissioned to adapt the classic novels for rival networks.

Filming began on ITV1's Dr Zhivago in March 2002 and was shot mainly in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

It features rising stars Kiera Knightley and Hans Matheson as doomed lovers Lara Guishar and Yury Zhivago.

ITV promises that Davies' adaptation is truer to Boris Pasternak's novel than David Lean's classic film.

In May 2002, filming started on the BBC's Daniel Deronda, based on George Eliot's final novel.

Shot on location in Somerset, London, Edinburgh, Surrey and Malta, it stars Hugh Dancy as the young, idealist Deronda.

The story follows Deronda's quest to discover his true identity and is described by Davies as a "passionate, intense" tale.

As the autumn approached, ITV fixed a slot for Zhivago over three consecutive Sundays, starting on 24 November.

In September, reports claimed the BBC was planning a ratings battle by scheduling Deronda against Zhivago.

ITV complained to the BBC about the rumoured battle, urging it to reconsider for the sake of drama loving viewers.

The BBC remained tight-lipped about its plans - but said Sunday night would be a typical slot.

After two months of wrangling, the BBC declared peace by giving Deronda would go out on Saturday - avoiding Zhivago (above)