This film is part of Free

Title of error

See Help

From Chekhov with Love

Anton Chekhov sends letters to his loved ones in this starry, prestige television play headlined by John Gielgud.

1968 82 mins

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.

Director

Bill Turner

Featuring

Peggy Ashcroft , Nigel Davenport , Maurice Denham , John Gielgud and Wendy Hiller

Country

United Kingdom

Language

No Dialogue with English subtitles

Watch for free

New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine

Short documentary 2025 4 mins

Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.

Watch for free

Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A

Inside Film 2025 30 mins

The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.