In the midst of the Hundred Years' War, the young King Henry V of England embarks on the conquest of France in 1415.
Madame Ranevskaya is a spoiled aging aristocratic lady, who returns from a trip to Paris to face the loss of her magnificent Cherry Orchard estate after a default on the mortgage. In denial, she continues living in the past, deluding herself and her family, while the beautiful cherry trees are being axed down by the re-possessor Lopakhin, her former serf, who has his own agenda.
The most prominent citizens of a small Russian town mistake a wandering stranger for the much-feared "government inspector" whose visit they are fearfully awaiting. The stranger takes full advantage of their error.