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.
