Chemical modification of a dextran film to improve its physical properties was carried out by addition of plasticizers and crosslinking agents. Moreover, low-temperature plasma treatment with acetylene gas was done. The dextran film showed high mechanical strength but was brittle and vulnerable to moisture. When plasticizer was added, it became very soft but with large reduction of mechanical strength. However, a flexible film with fairly high mechanical strength and water resistance was prepared when the film was crosslinked by adding crosslinking agent with or after the addition of plasticizer. Treatment with an acetylene plasma changed the dextran film surface from hydrophilic to hydrophobic with little influence on the bulk properties of the film.