Customer Reviews

War & Peace

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm quite in agreement with the reviewer who wrote that this is the best version of Tolstoy's classic--which I have, in fact, read. This is distinct from the "Fonda/Hepburn" version for that very reason: the mid-'50's version is known as the "Fonda/Hepburn" version. There were no Stars in this BBC production, just excellent actors. Mind you, anyone who watched a lot of Masterpiece theatre was able to follow Angela Down [Princess Marya Nokolaievna Bolkonskaya] into a subsequent series, "The Glittering Prizes;" or Frank Middlemass who portrayed General Kutuzov into "Poldark" as Uncle Charles. It was only later that Anthony Hopkins went Hollywood, and became recognized; although his portrayal of gay butcher Richard the Lion Hearted in "The Lion in Winter" was superb in '68.
This is the best, most faithful to the book, version of War and Peace available.

I saw this film only once, 25 years ago when it was serialized on PBS, and I have been waiting to see it again ever since. I have seen every other film version of War and Peace, but none can compare to this one. Anthony Hopkins is superb as Pierre.

Having seen all three versions, (Hepburn, Russian and this) and having read the book and biographies of Tolstoi, I am most impressed with this version. The actors may not be exact replicas in appearance but in spirit they capture the characters quite well. The dialog is well chosen and faithful in the most important areas. My only criticism would be (and this is true of all versions) that Tolstoi's explanation of Helene's and Anatole's cruelty being due to their complete lack of sensitivity of what they're doing, is not so obvious as in the book. Anatole is seen riding around Moscow and waves gaily to Pierre the day after his failed attempt to elope with Natasha which indicates how little he thinks of what he has done. Perhaps it is not extremely important but I thought it made alot understandable.

In all other respects, this is a wonderful film, one I would and have watched again and again. You feel as if you know all the characters and you find yourself caring deeply about them. Even having seen it repeatedly I find myself equally moved with each viewing (ok, not as much as the first time when it was new but I was 12) I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. This is a film I had waited 25 years to see again and having lent it to a friend look forward to its return so I can watch again. In my esteem it ranks as one of the top 10 beautiful films!

I first viewed the 1972 BBC dramatization of Tolstoy's War and Peace when it was broadcast around 1982 on Masterpiece Theater as 14 one-hour episodes. Captivated by the panoply of gowns, uniforms and palatial interiors and enchanted by the capricious dynamics between the many characters, I had no interest in or understanding of the "war" aspect of the story. Indeed, the myriad explanations of military strategy were tedious to me at the time. I had attempted to read Tolstoy's novel many times but found the Russian names difficult to grasp and differentiate. The best result of my viewing of this film series was that it inspired me to finally have the courage to read the book. The film provided proper pronunciation of the names and gave me faces to connect to the names; this made the reading much more pleasurable.

To my knowledge, PBS never rebroadcast this War and Peace, as so many other excellent and memorable programs have not been aired a second or third time, no matter how worthy. So I am grateful to the deities of video for blessing us with VHS/DVD. Viewing this series again, I am surprised by the things I didn't notice or appreciate on my first and second viewings. How did I overlook or ignore all the philosophical asides delivered by Pierre and Andrei? It was as if I were seeing this program for the first time and had never read the book - which I am now inspired to give a second reading.

Anthony Hopkins is superb as the mumbling, stumbling Pierre who is constantly searching for something to which he may devote his simmering passion - despite the deceit and crassness he encounters in his society.

Like Natasha (the nubile heroine), I could not help falling in love with Pierre's friend the brooding, dutiful and pensive Andrei, masterfully portrayed by Alan Dobie.

The beautiful gowns, uniforms and gentlemen's wear were created by Charles Knode, the costume designer who won the Academy Award for his creations in Blade Runner.

The story covers fifteen years with the War of 1812 in between, so the setup may seem slow and wearisome. The point is to follow how people grow (or not) through their experiences with each other and the circumstances in which they are thrown. Like the rest of us, these characters have "issues" - even before Napoleon imposed himself on them. However, as nearly all the characters become enmeshed in its effects, war accelerates "process".

To watch this movie now (2004) is eerie. War and peace. We certainly have war. Where is peace? Tolstoy, who died in 1910, first published his novel in 1865-1869. It is ironic that in the film, as he ponders the comet of 1812, Pierre wonders what the world will be like when the comet returns in a hundred years. The viewer has the benefit of knowing what neither Pierre nor Tolstoy could know, that the status quo of Russia in 1812 or 1820 suffers brutal and irreversible devastation.

In the film Napoleon's reason for invading Russia is so he can impose his universal code over all of Europe, referred to in the book as the Continental System, so that instead of scores of states and principalities, each with their own laws and courts, all of Europe would be governed under one set of laws, with one court system and one currency. Napoleon has nearly got his wish. What would he think of the EU - of which Russia is not a member?

I've seen the three main versions of War and Peace and all three have their strengths and weaknesses. The primary strength of this version is that it follows the book very well. When I read the book, I was strongly attracted to Princess Maria, but she is barely portrayed in the other two films. In this version we are able to see her develop and understand the relationship between her and Natasha's brother. The detail is not lost, because this version takes it's time and shows everything.

The primary weakness of this version is that battle scenes are not as spectacular as the other two versions, and the modern updating of dialogue (with inferences that I doubt the original author did not completely intend, i.e. the children's joke about the doll and the baby at the beginning of the first part). But not withstanding these weaknesses, I recommend this version.

War and Peace is by far my favorite book, and this version of it is, in my opinion, the best film ever made. When I read the book, I see these characters. The character portrayal comes as close to matching the book as any film ever has, but Tolstoy's philosophy is beautifully expressed. This is an unequalled treasure.

This War and Peace was just wonderful. I saw it many years ago when it was serialized on PBS and just loved it. Because it was thirteen episodes it was able to cover much from the book. It really fleshed out the characters especially the major ones. Unlike the movie version with Audrey Hepburn, Henry Fonda and Mel Ferrer, other important characters have major roles in this production which is critical to the story. The acting was just stupendous. That was the first I saw Anthony Hopkins and just knew he would be a major star. He was perfect as Pierre. I really loved this production.

I last saw this version 34 years ago (if my arithmetic is right), when I was in college. I remember it with awe. With 20 episodes in which to stretch out character development, there is room to fit much of the novel here. I was lucky enough to get an early copy of this and am about 30% of the way through again. At 54 I still love this version. It is an "old" TV production of the novel, but the acting, the acting...
If you can stand 1970's BBC production values, and a lack of computer graphics, wizards, and aliens, by all means take the plunge and watch this version.
I plan to watch it again before another 34 years have passed :)

When originally aired on American T.V. in the early 70's (and subsequently re-aired many times) this mini-series was edited for American audiences. There were 19 episodes, now there are 20. (The first episode "Name Day" is the add on.) Also, each episode was a few minutes shorter to make way for Sebastion Cabots' narration at the beginning and end of each episode. (Which is absent in this longer version.) I'm torn between both versions. For purists, the longer version is more complete, however the edited version was done for more dramatic effect. ( I suppose they figured they would have to juice it up to keep the colonists attention.) Along with this longer version we get an excellent 44 page booklet that has all you need to closely follow and understand the course of events. I certainly can't complain about the longer original British version ( I'm very satisfied with my purchase ) however, I'll just hang on to my taped american version for old times sake.

I saw this version when it originally aired and I think is one of the best dramas ever shown in any media. The production is very true to the book and I like it better than the Russian version, which was produced about the same time, and the 1956 Hollywood version. I have look forward to its release to DVD for many years.

In my opinion this is Anthony Hopkins best work.