This film is part of Free
From Chekhov with Love
Anton Chekhov sends letters to his loved ones in this starry, prestige television play headlined by John Gielgud.
Overview
Aired as part of the Star Performance series on the ITV network, From Chekhov with Love boasted an impressive cast and crew, not least Jonathan Miller who adapted the play for television. It opens by breaking the fourth wall: in his dressing room John Gielgud recounts Chekhov’s life and work, lamenting his death at the age of 44 (Gielgud was 63 at the time of broadcast). Then the drama unfolds through letters between Chekhov and his friends and family including Maxim Gorky (Nigel Davenport), his brother Alex (Maurice Denham), sister Masha (Dorothy Tutin) and wife Olga (Peggy Ashcroft).
Best of all is Wendy Hiller as Lydia Avilova, the ardent admirer who may or may not have had a romantic involvement with Chekhov; the letters as recited to camera by Hiller are enigmatic but palpably flirtatious.
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