Three Sisters (1970)

In the quiet murmurings of a small Russian town at the dawn of the 20th century, three sisters - Olga, Irina, and Masha - find themselves trapped in the cobwebs of a mundane existence. Their hearts beat for their enchanting past in Moscow, a city that held promises of an exciting, significant life. But their present is a stark contrast, a canvas painted with disillusionment and desolation. Olga, the eldest, attempts to seek solace in her teaching profession but secretly yearns for the warmth of a family and a home. Masha, stuck in a stifling marriage with a timid schoolmaster, finds herself helplessly drawn to the captivating Colonel Vershinin, a married army man whose wife is mentally unwell. The youngest, Irina, works in the local telegraph office, her dreams of a vibrant life slowly fading into the monochrome reality of her surroundings. Their brother, Andrei, marries Natasha, a raw and intrusive provincial girl. As Natasha gradually takes over their home, the sisters' sanctuary is invaded, their dreams stifled further. Andrei's life, once filled with high aspirations, now sinks into the quicksand of mediocrity. The sisters' longing for their former life in Moscow is a flickering beacon in their dreary existence. The local military post offers some semblance of companionship and social interaction, but it's a pale shadow of the life they desire. Faced with the grim reality of their circumstances, even the spirited Irina begins to question her dreams. However, as tragedy strikes, the Prozoroff sisters, despite their shattered dreams and the crushing weight of their lives, find a renewed purpose. They resolve to seek hope and meaning, even as the army post, their last link to their past, is withdrawn from their town. Their journey is a poignant testament to resilience and the relentless pursuit of dreams, even in the face of life's harshest realities.

Three Sisters is a drama movie featuring Jeanne Watts.

Three Sisters is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy Three Sisters on Kino Now.