The Three Sisters (1966)

In a small Russian town at the turn of the century, three sisters (Olga, Irina, and Masha) and their brother Andrei live but dream daily of their return to their former home in Moscow, ... See full summary »

Director:

Paul Bogart

Writers:

Anton Chekhov (play), Randall Jarrell

Stars:

Geraldine Page, Shelley Winters, Kim Stanley

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Geraldine Page	...	Olga
Shelley Winters	...	Natalya
Kim Stanley	...	Masha
Sandy Dennis	...	Irina
Kevin McCarthy	...	Vershinin
Gerald Hiken	...	Andrei
David Paulsen	...	Roday
Albert Paulsen	...	Kulygin
Luther Adler	...	Chebutykin
James Olson	...	Baron Tuzenbach
Robert Loggia	...	Solyony
John Harkins	...	Fedotik
Salem Ludwig	...	Ferapont
Tamara Daykarhanova	...	Anfisa
William Paul Burns	...	(as Bill Burns)

Storyline

In a small Russian town at the turn of the century, three sisters (Olga, Irina, and Masha) and their brother Andrei live but dream daily of their return to their former home in Moscow, where life is charming and stimulating meaningful. But for now they exist in a malaise of dissatisfaction. Soldiers from the local military post provide them some companionship and society, but nothing can suffice to replace Moscow in their hopes. Andrei marries a provincial girl, Natasha, and begins to settle into a life of much less meaning than he had hoped. Natasha begins to run the family her way. Masha, though married, yearns for the sophisticated life and begins a dalliance with Vershinin, an army officer with a sick and suicidal wife. Even Irina, the freshest, most optimistic of the sisters, begins to waver in her dreams until, finally, tragedy strikes.

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Plot Keywords:

russia | independent film | based on play

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Company Credits

Production Co:

Actors Studio, The, Commonwealth United Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

168 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Trivia

James Tolkan's movie debut.

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Connections

Version of Paura e amore (1988)

User Reviews

The actors are what makes it worthwhile.

This is a rarely seen videotaped presentation of the famed Actors' studio Broadway production of Anton Chekhov's classic play, THE THREE SISTERS. Sandy Dennis, Kim Stanley, and Geraldine Page are splendid in the title roles, three equally unhappy Russian sisters who all believe that their troubles will end if they ever return to their beloved Moscow. Shelley Winters is also terrific as their brother's nagging wife who does very little to brighten their dreary lives. Also in the marvellous cast is Kevin McCarthy and, in an early appearance, Robert Loggia. All-in-all, it's a faithful adaptation of the play, but powerhouse performances by the once-in-a-lifetime cast is what makes it so good. I actually prefer this one over the later 1970 version filmed by and starring Sir Laurence Olivier.