Uncle Vanya

I disagree with previous comments. This a perfect production of UNCLE VANYA, one of the world's great dramas. We should be thankful that the stage production was recorded so that all of us can continue to enjoy and be moved by these brilliant performances. Michael Redgrave and Joan Plowright are particularly moving, but Olivier as Astrov and the lovely Rosemary Harris and the legendary Fay Compton are also memorable. Yes, it is not presented in an artificially cinematic style. With this play and this production that doesn't matter. In fact, the nature of the play demands that the camera focus on the faces and body language of the actors. It's their emotions, their reactions to each other that matter. With the camera so close to them, we can see them lying to each other and to themselves. Heartbreaking, brilliant, and unforgettable. A masterful rendition of a masterpiece.

DRN5's rather curious and one sided comments about the Olivier directed production of 'Uncle Vanya' needs to be put in the context of what the professional critics of the day expressed. That is not to say I did not enjoy 'Vanya on 42nd Street' - I did very much, but the Olivier production added another dimension portraying as it does, Chekhov's desire to say to people 'Have a look at yourselves and see how dreary your lives are'. 'This is ensemble acting in the Master Class' New York Times 'Miss Harris' argument, reconciliation and mutual confession with Joan Plowright are the best acted women's scenes I have ever watched. One after another, the British critics poured forth their praise...' American Newsweek Chekhov's Uncle Vanya, directed by Laurence Olivier, is the admitted master achievement in British twentieth-century theatre...for authority and finish - above all for centrality of purpose - this has no competitor' London Sunday Times Olivier's Vanya...is one of the greatest productions of an era... the most satisfying and integrated...' London Observer 'Take this road to find greatness...with a cast that could not be bettered on the English-speaking part of the earth' London Daily Express 'Majestic Uncle Vanya....the acting of a magnificent company. This production of a great play is a rare achievement. London Evening Standard 'This company and this production will be remembered for a long time...that leaves you awed, grateful and humble in the face of such perfection. London Punch

A PAL standard DVD of this film will be released late in 2003 in the UK.

Obvious, it represents more than a beautiful adaptation. It is a fair, honest and wise exploration of Cekhov univers, in precise terms, with high care for details and the expected inspired atmosphere. And it is not a surprise, the cast offering the guarantee of a beautitul to great adaptation, Astrov of Laurence Olivier, like Vanya proposed by Michael Redgrave reminding the spirit of play in each its nuance.

The story of wasted lives and clashes between visions are familiar.

But this adaptation has, obvious, the desire and gift to offer more than a new represented play. A sort of reflection, about himself, of viewer and this intention is wonderful used scene by scene.

So, Cekhov in pure traits.

Chekhov's fascination with the inability to act makes him a spiritual ancestor of Samuel Beckett. I find the acting very satisfying, and what an all-star cast! Michael Redgrave is greatly moving in the title role, caught in the trap of upper-class ennui. And the women, particularly Rosemary Harris as Yelena are marvelous, each stuck in inescapable comfort. The modest scenery increases the oppressive claustrophobia of the atmosphere.

One definitely should see this production and immediately follow with Vanya on 42nd St.

A commercial DVD of this excellent production is available from a Canadian company called Learmedia.

There were quite a number of reasons for watching this filmed version of 'Uncle Vanya'. One big reason being the play itself, which is one of Chekhov's best with it being a masterpiece of complex characterisation and bleak and intensely poignant mood. Another major reason being the cast, Laurence Olivier and Joan Plowright were seasoned Chekhov interpreters and Michael Redgrave was also a fine actor (very fond of his Terrence Rattigan adaptations).

1963's 'Uncle Vanya' is an invaluable document of how Chekhov was performed back then. Of all the filmed adaptations of Chekhov's plays seen, this is definitely up there as among the best and one of the few outstanding adaptations that in my mind nails Chekhov and what he's about. So much better than Olivier's later Chekhov adaptation 1970's 'Three Sisters', which was incredibly well acted but too stage bound. Whereas this was incredibly well acted while managing to not feel too stagy despite it being a filmed production.

Maybe the production could have brought out more of Vanya's cynicism.

Otherwise, this 'Uncle Vanya' is wonderful and this immensely difficult to adapt play is adapted and performed in a way as if it came easy to those involved. It is beautifully and moodily photographed, in a way that doesn't come over as too static. The setting also has atmosphere and is appropriately oppressive. The audio is suitably haunting without being melodramatic. Chekhov's dialogue is amazing, his prose was met with a lot of scorn and criticism in his day but while wordy it has never been a problem with me. The emotion is absolutely there without being overwrought and is full of meat and not too much fat.

Likewise with the character writing, they are not what one calls "likeable" but they are realistically flawed and psychologically fascinating. The stage direction is intelligent and moving, especially in the later stages. Personally did not find it too stylised or too polite, and thought the bleakness of the play was captured very well. While also not being overly serious. The performances all round do convey the key themes of loneliness and desperation very well and they nail their character traits and psychology. The smaller moments in the character interaction particularly come off well.

Of the performances, Michael Redgrave's subtle and very powerful Vanya and Joan Plowright's sweetly affecting Sonya are particularly notable. Rosemary Harris' Yelena isn't as understated but is still a riveting and searing portrayal, while Olivier succeeds in making Astrov a complex character of many emotions. The intensity of the character interaction is always obvious and the ending is moving.

All in all, wonderful. 9/10.