Three Sisters (1970)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Directors:

Laurence Olivier
John Sichel

Writers:

Moura Budberg (writer)
Anton Chekhov (play)

Release Date:

2 March 1973 (Finland)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Olga, Masha, and Irina Prozoroff lead lonely and purposeless lives following the death of their father who has commanded the local army post...

Plot Keywords:

Soldier | Dissatisfaction | Feeling Old | Russia | Whistling

Cast

Jeanne Watts	...	Olga
Joan Plowright	...	Masha
Louise Purnell	...	Irina
Derek Jacobi	...	Andrei
Sheila Reid	...	Natasha
Kenneth MacKintosh	...	Kulighin
Daphne Heard	...	Anfissa the nana
Harry Lomax	...	Ferrapont the watchman
Judy Wilson	...	Serving maid
Mary Griffiths	...	Housemaid
Ronald Pickup	...	Baron Tusenbach
Laurence Olivier	...	Dr. Ivan Chebutikin
Frank Wylie	...	Maj. Vassili Vassilich Solloni
Alan Bates	...	Col. Vershinin
Richard Kay	...	Lt. Fedotik

Runtime:

165 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:U | Finland:S | USA:G

Company:

Alan Clore Films

Trivia:

Alan Bates replaced Robert Stephens who was forced to withdraw through illness.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 'Tess': From Novel to Screen (2004) (V)

One of the Finest Stage Adaptations in Film History

This is a beautiful, glorious filming of Chekhov's brilliant play. Unfortunately, because it cannot be found on video, I had to catch it late-night on TV in order to see it. This really deserves a video release.

The acting is superb, especially by Joan Plowright, Jeanne Watts, and Louise Purnell, who flesh out the conflicting characteristics perfectly. Olivier himself puts in a fine performance as the alcoholic officer, and two of Britan's finest actors, Alan Bates and Derek Jacobi, offer wonderful support. The photography by Geoffrey Unsworth is magnificent, and the simplistic production design makes you feel like you're actually in a theater watching a production. As always, Olivier does more with the theater than any other director could. Find it if you can- they show it on the ENCORE once in a while.