War and Peace

The Best Adaptation of Tolstoy’s Novel Widely considered to be the finest novel ever written, Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace is so long and contains so many characters and events that adapting it to film and at the same time retaining the essence of the numerous storylines must be a daunting task. Attempts to film it go back to the silent era with a 1915 Russian version. In 1956 Hollywood came out with a 3 ½ hour epic, directed by King Vidor and starring Henry Fonda, Audrey Hepburn, and Mel Ferrer. In 1968 the Soviet government financed an expensive and much-acclaimed epic of its own, and in 1972 the BBC put forth a 12 hour mini-series that starred Anthony Hopkins. But this 2007 European production, 8 hours in length, is the best of the lot, exciting, entertaining, and capturing the spirit of Tolstoy’s enormous drama by focusing on the three main characters—Pierre Bezukhov, Natasha Rostov, and Andrei Bolkonsky, their families, and the people in their various orbits, as they live their lives amidst the historical upheavals taking place in the world around them. Like the novel, the series is divided into four parts, and covers the years 1805—1812, when Napoleon Bonaparte was rampaging about Europe, overturning the old order and replacing it with one of his own creation. Like another conqueror 130 years later, Napoleon, unable to get his army across the English Channel, decided to turn his guns east, and War and Peace culminates with his invasion of Russia: We see the Battle of Borodino, the capture and burning of Moscow, the agonizing retreat of the French Army from the city and the Russian’s final victory over the French as they drive them back across the Niemen River. The characters are pushed and pulled by this historical tumult: Pierre begins as an admirer of Napoleon, then, as he witnesses the horrors of war, becomes determined to assassinate the man he once held in such high esteem. Andrei, unhappy with the life he is leading as a young aristocrat with a wife and a child on the way, sets out for war hoping to find glory on the battlefield, and, when wounded at the Battle of Austerlitz, comes home just in time to witness his wife dying in childbirth. Natasha, seeking love, becomes engaged to Andrei in the wake of his wife’s death, but in his absence is seduced by Pierre’s brother in law, the rakish Anatole Kuragin. German actor Alexander Beyer is excellent as Pierre, far better than Henry Fonda in the 1956 version. Fonda was too American and too old to convincingly portray a young Russian nobleman, but Beyer conveys Pierre perfectly as he progresses from an illegitimate son to a wealthy young heir, naïve and idealistic, marrying the gorgeous Helene Kuragin (who would not ever deign to notice him before he inherited his father’s fortune) and gradually beginning to realize he has been used and then made a fool of by his wife and her unscrupulous family. Natasha is played by French actress Clemence Poesy—a high-spirited teenage girl who loves life but is unaware of the pitfalls it has to offer. Italian actor Alessio Boni is Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, a brooding, unhappy man who blames himself for his wife’s death and hopes to find happiness with Natasha. But while he is away at the Polish border, strengthening Russia’s defenses against another attack by Napoleon, she falls under the spell of Anatole Kuragin and breaks her engagement with Andrei, and learns when it is too late that Kuragin’s intentions were less than honorable. These personal dramas are overtaken by historical events. When Napoleon invades Russia in 1812, the characters are in the path of his juggernaut. Andrei is wounded again, this time fatally, at the Battle of Borodino, but manages to live long enough to forgive Natasha and say goodbye to her. As Napoleon’s army approaches Moscow the Rostovs have to flee the city, and when they are safely away they see that Moscow is on fire. Pierre, who witnessed the battle, lies in wait in the burning city, hoping to kill Napoleon but is taken prisoner instead. When the French abandon Moscow he is forced to go along, suffering from starvation and cold, eventually freed from captivity by a force commanded by his old rival, Dolokhov, whom he suspected of being his wife’s lover. This is a fine version of War and Peace. My only complaint is that it isn’t longer; I would have enjoyed it if more had been done with Napoleon’s epic retreat from Moscow (here the 1956 version really stood out). German actor Ken Duken is especially good as the womanizing Anatole, and another German, Benjamin Sadler, is equally fine as the roguish Dolokhov. Britisher Malcolm McDowell does his expected best as the elder Prince Bolkonsky. No movie or mini-series could ever do justice to War and Peace; there is simply too much to it—novel, history, philosophy, all rolled into one massive volume. But for entertainment value and a faithful rendition of the basic story of War and Peace, this is one not to be missed.

Condensed classic of epic proportions and sensual sensory splendors! This Italian T.V. mini series is studded with an international cast of brilliant players and enough extras to fill the Cinecitta Rome set five times over. One of the fascinating things about this marvelously accessible version of the story is that it (for us in the USA) is in English. Don't let the Russian Box fool you. An extra added bonus it that the film was shot in Russia so you get the added pleasure of seeing some incredible architecture of the period and the stunning Russian countryside (And a little of Lithuania.) There is in the huge cast some real stand out performances. Brenda Blethyn is wonderful as always, and as Prince Andre's father Malcolm McDowell is chilling and arresting in his approach to the part. In the lead female role we have the lovely Cemence Posey, who is near perfect in a role so associated in the West with Audrey Hepburn. There have been complaints that she is a blond in a traditionally dark haired part, but that seems trivial to me in comparison to her performance. In the romantic lead of Prince Andre is the wonderful Italian star, Alessio Boni. He brings to the role a deliciously tragic gravitas that is so important to the story. He is a brilliant actor who needs more exposure on this side of the world. Just check out his work in "The Best Of Youth" and "Don't Tell". Also the incredibly beautiful Violante Placido plays the wicked Helene with relish and great style. Not since Polly Walker in HBO's Rome has there been such a delicious wicked woman on the screen. She was a delight to watch and I found myself missing her when she was not on screen. Benjamin Sadler (Who was so brilliant in "Augustus" see my amazon review of that film) is on hand to lend his considerable snakey charm and great presence to the role of Dolokov. (Why is this actor not a huge star yet?) Yes there are many other worthy performances to see and savor in this lush and enthralling film, too many to go any further with here. Rather, take the chance and get this film and let the magic of Tolstoy's timeless story take you into a world that is gone with the wind. Yes it is not as huge and epic as the 1968 Russian classic but it is none the less even at times more wonderful!The DVD is splendid with clear beautiful image and great sound. As I said the film is in Enlish with an international cast. It is obvious they are all speaking in English and if any are dubbed that is Not obvious. Very well done in the sound department. And the score by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek is lush and soaring. Most particularly stunning at the end of act two as Natasha descends the grand staircase with the viper Anitole Kuragin (Ken Dunken) on her heals.

A story of intrigue drama romance and betrayal It keeps your attention

I always love to see my favorite novels on the screen, and this interpretation is honest, well done, though not perfect.I thought the combinination of Marya Dmetrievna and Anna Mikhailovna into one strong female character was well done, and superbly portrayed. However, dropping Boris Drubetskoy from the story altogether and making Natasha have an instant "love at first sight" for Prince Andrei was disappointing, and frankly, made for a ridiculous beginning. The film improved from there, though.The acting was superb. Really. I will watch this again and again not for the script, but for the performances. The overemphasized romantic scenes are too drawn-out, but not so much that it is uncomfortable. I just wish some of the other plot points had been brought out a little more.There is one short scene that is inappropriate for children (Helene staying behind with the French in Moscow) and plenty of non-gory yet mostly realistic war scenes. Just fyi for parents.All in all, a good effort that I am glad to own.

Loved this series, the costumes, the acting, the set designs. Wow. I watched it again already.

Arrivato presto e in perfette condizioni.Molto meno caro dell' edizione in italiano.

La pelicula is muy buena; el producto esta muy bien

This is an elaborate French and Italian production shot in many parts of Europe and includes a multi-national cast. It was slow in parts but still a better attempt at depicting Tolstoy's novel.

Cette co-production internationale de plus de 7 H (4 épisodes) est un pur moment de plaisir.L'interprétation magistrale de Clémence Poésy, en Natacha Rostova, donne un souffle nouveau à la fresque de Léon Tolstoï, légèrement revisitée pour la rendre plus accessible et moins sombre.Un coup de chapeau aux costumes et aux décors reconstituant magnifiquement la Russie du début du 19ème siècle.Beaucoup d'émotion mais aussi un souffle épique et un hymne à la résistance russe contre la barbarie.Le choix des acteurs a été excellent et la réalisation quasi-parfaite (certains ralentis m'ont cependant paru superflus).A ne rater sous aucun prétexte surtout à moins de 10€ !