Based on Anton Chekhov's play of the same name, retired Professor Serebryakov (Vladimir Zeldin) returns to his deceased wife's estate -- with his new wife, Yelena (Irina Miroshnichenko), in tow. Prior to his return, Serebryakov received a stipend from his brother-in-law, Uncle Vanya (Innokenty Smoktunovsky), who lives on a meager salary and now resents the professor. When Serebryakov arrives with Yelena, she becomes an object of obsession for Uncle Vanya.