The Three Sisters (1966 film)

The Three Sisters is a 1966 British film adaptation of Anton Chekhov's play Three Sisters. Directed by Laurence Olivier and John Sichel, it features a cast that includes members of the Royal National Theatre company. The film recreates the stage production that Olivier directed at the National Theatre, aiming to preserve the theatrical experience for a wider audience.

The film stars Joan Plowright as Masha, Laurence Olivier as Doctor Chebutykin, and also features actors such as Alan Bates and Derek Jacobi in supporting roles. The plot centers on the Prozorov sisters – Olga, Masha, and Irina – living in a provincial Russian town, yearning for a return to their former life in Moscow and grappling with unfulfilled desires and societal constraints. The film explores themes of disillusionment, social stagnation, and the fading dreams of the Russian aristocracy. The script stays largely faithful to Chekhov's original play, focusing on character development and the nuanced relationships between the siblings and those around them.