Three Sisters

This is not the version starring Laurence Olivier, Joan Plowright, and Derek Jacobi, it is the one as written in the description, with Anthony Hopkins and Eileen Aitkens.

Audio poor; acting good to excellent. But with Chekhov, clear dialogue is essential.

Never finished watching will watch through another time possibly.

very poor imagery and sound.

The other two reviews of this DVD seeem to me to have missed the point somewhat. Yes, on a purely technical level The Three Sisters print is certainly inferior. What must be remembered is that it is an archival print of a low-budget film that succeeds through its wonderful performances and vibrant authenticity. The film captures some wonderful performances by some wonderful actors, and was very obviously devised primarily as a means of preserving the original theatrical production whilst intelligently incorporating elements of cinema. Where else are you going to see Alan Bates, Derek Jacobi, Joan Plowright AND Laurence Olivier in the one cast?! Fascinating and magnificent.

Lost me from the git-go! Maybe I just wasn't in the mood?

As another review notes, it's great acting but the sound is horrible. I had to watch it in subtitles, which, for about 15 minutes towards the end, were behind the speeches, which made it extremely challenging to follow.

I felt it was not the best movie version of a stage play, not my cup of tea.

This is one of my favourite plays, a wonderful portrayal of a deeply troubled society that also speaks to the human condition in the most general sense, and in so many ways. This NT version, filmed close on half a century ago, is, remarkably the only one currently available. The acting is superlative, but I am in two minds about the production. It is extremely static, so much so that it must have been a directorial decision to take almost all momentum out of the play. The danger is that it runs the risk of becoming at times a parody of Chekhov's well-known traits rather than a production of the play. Still, these sensational performances rescue it as does the sheer poetry of Chekhov's writing, nobly translated by Budberg. Watching it in the centenary year of the events that killed Chekhov's world and plunged Russia into darkness clothes the play in extra poignancy.

Anyone thinking Chekhov is not their thing think again! This is simply riveting from start to finish.All in the cast perform magnificently with a special mention for Sheila Reid (she should be known for far more than Benidorm!) as the dreadful sister in law.This ensemble cast is at the peak of their talents. But it is Joan Plowright's brooding Masha which eclipses them all. She plays Masha's frustrated melancholy to perfection and in her scenes with Alan Bates as the Colonel she exudes passion from every pore. Those who don't understand why Olivier left Vivian Leigh for her should look no further. Plowright is simply divine, exceedingly sensual and her eyes have to be the most expressive a person could possess.This is a master class in acting that should not be missed!

Even though this is old the production and actors are excellent - watched this first when in my teens and now years later. It is a shame that these sort of plays are not taught anymore in schools. They were never regarded as too difficult for us when doing Os and As.

This film version of the National Theatre's 1970 production of Chekov's play works neither as theatre nor as film. Olivier's direction may have been satisfactory in the theatre but on film it is lumpen. His few attempts at making it filmic are clumsy and wrong headed. Some good performances, though.

Chekhov is not easy viewing, with lots of static discussion of not very much, in this case for nearly three hours. The actors are excellent and express the fleeting and sometimes strong emotions well. Watch for a young Derek Jacobi.Not at all a Hollywood blockbuster, this one requires some attention, patience, and observation to get anything out of it. The three sisters don't get on as well as they might and interract in various ways with their neighbours.