Country Life

The film is adapted from Uncle Vanya by Chekhov. It is set in rural Australia in the nineteen twenties. Jack Dickens and his niece Sally run the family farm. What the farm earns is sent to London. The money goes to Alexander, his brother in law. The man lives there as a literary critic. The family takes him for a brilliant figure. One day Alexander comes back to the farm. His young wife Deborah is with him. Before long it is clear that he is arrogant and a failure. What is more, he wants to sell the farm. This is what Jack gets for the years he has put in. Max Askey, the local doctor, is part of the account as well. He holds pacifist views and cares about the land. The film also takes up the separation of Australia from England. Greta Scacchi and Sam Neill appear in the hundred and eighteen minute film, an Australian production Michael Blakemore finished in 1994.