Uncle Vanya (1963)

Director:

Stuart Burge

Writers:

Anton Chekhov (play), Constance Garnett (translation)

Stars:

Michael Redgrave, Max Adrian, Lewis Casson

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Credited cast:
Michael Redgrave	...	Uncle Vanya
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Max Adrian	...	Prof. Alexander Serebryakov
Lewis Casson	...	Telyegin
Fay Compton	...	Marya, the mother
Rosemary Harris	...	Yelena
Robert Lang	...	Yefim
Laurence Olivier	...	Dr. Astrov
Joan Plowright	...	Sonya
Sybil Thorndike	...	Marina, the nurse

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

based on play | independent film | character name in title

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 November 1963 (UK)

Also Known As:

Vanja-eno

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arthur Cantor Films, BHE Films, British Home Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the U.S., the film premiered on television, not in theatres. This made it eligible for Emmy Awards rather than Oscars.

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Connections

Version of Vanya on 42nd Street (1994)

User Reviews

Greatest Vanya Ever

George Steiner wrote of Chekhov that his plays were "a musical score for speaking voice". This Vanya is just that. The performances here of Laurence Olivier, Michael Redgrave, Rosemary Harris, Joan Plowright, Max Adrian and Sybil Thorndike are operatic in range and emotion. The translation of Constance Garnett is no less important to success - perfect in its rhythm and concision.

This recording survives as a wonder of the 1960s Golden Age in British theatre. Yes, John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson and Richard Burton are not in the cast but never mind; this production was immortal, one of the supreme nights in the theatre in our lifetimes.