Uncle Vanya

– Andrei Konchalovsky’s Uncle Vanya surely has the greatest claim as the best screen adaptation of a..

Type:
Movie
Rating:
7.40 / 10
Duration:
One Hour and 44 Minutes
Release Year:
1971
Original Name:
Дядя Ваня
Uncle Vanya (1971) - Also known as Дядя Ваня

Andrei Konchalovsky’s Uncle Vanya surely has the greatest claim as the best screen adaptation of a Chekhov play. Featuring brooding and articulate performances, especially from Sergei Bondarchuk as Doctor Astrov and gorgeous cinematography that shifts from sepia to autumnal colours, the film has an elegaic and bittersweet atmosphere. The setting is a crumbling country estate which supports the chic urban lifestyle of the elderly Professor Serebryakov who visits with his young and glamorous new wife, Elena.

Producing Country:
Filming Locations:
Genre:
Release Date:

01 Oct 1970

Language:

Russian

Director:

Andrey Konchalovskiy

Writer:

Anton Chekhov (play), Andrey Konchalovskiy (screenplay)

Main Actors:

Irina Anisimova-Wulf, Sergey Bondarchuk, Irina Kupchenko, Yekaterina Mazurova

Plot:

A retired professor has returned to his estate to live with his beautiful young wife, Yelena. The estate originally belonged to his first wife, now deceased; her mother and brother still live there and manage the farm. For many years the brother (Uncle Vanya) has sent the farm's proceeds to the professor, while receiving only a small salary himself. Sonya, the professor's daughter, who is about the same age as his new wife, also lives on the estate. The professor is pompous, vain, and irritable. He calls the doctor (Astrov) to treat his gout, only to send him away without seeing him. Astrov is an experienced physician who performs his job conscientiously, but has lost all idealism and spends much of his time drinking. The presence of Yelena introduces a bit of sexual tension into the household. Astrov and Uncle Vanya both fall in love with Yelena; she spurns them both. Meanwhile, Sonya is in love with Astrov, who fails even to notice her. Finally, when the professor announces he wants to sell the estate, Vanya, whose admiration for the man died with his sister, tries to kill him.

Awards:

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Ratings:
Internet Movie Database:
7.4/10