Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Audrey Hepburn | ... | Natasha Rostova | |
Henry Fonda | ... | Pierre Bezukhov | |
Mel Ferrer | ... | Prince Andrei Bolkonsky | |
Vittorio Gassman | ... | Anatol Kuragin | |
Herbert Lom | ... | Napoleon | |
Oskar Homolka | ... | Field Marshal Kutuzov (as Oscar Homolka) | |
Anita Ekberg | ... | Helene Kuragina | |
Helmut Dantine | ... | Dolokhov | |
Tullio Carminati | ... | Prince Vasili Kuragin | |
Barry Jones | ... | Prince Mikhail Andreevich Rostov | |
Milly Vitale | ... | Lisa Bolkonskaya | |
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Lea Seidl | ... | Countess Rostov |
Anna Maria Ferrero | ... | Maria Bolkonskaya | |
Wilfrid Lawson | ... | Prince Bolkonsky (as Wilfred Lawson) | |
May Britt | ... | Sonia Rostova |
By 1812, Napoleon's (Herbert Lom's) forces controlled much of Europe. Russia, one of the few countries still unconquered, prepares to face Napoleon's troops together with Austria. Amongst the Russian soldiers, are Count Nikolai Rostov (Jeremy Brett) and Prince Andrei Bolkonsky (Mel Ferrer). Count Pierre Bezukhov (Henry Fonda), a friend of Andrei's, and self-styled intellectual, who is not interested in fighting. Pierre's life changes when his father dies, leaving him a vast inheritance. He is attracted to Natasha Rostov (Audrey Hepburn), Nikolai's sister, but she is too young, so he gives in to baser desires and marries the shallow, manipulative Princess Helene (Anita Ekberg). The marriage ends when Pierre discovers his wife's true nature. Andrei is captured and later released by the French, and returns home only to watch his wife die in childbirth. A few months later, Pierre and Andrei meet again. Andrei sees Natasha and falls in love, but his father will only permit the marriage if ... Written by alfiehitchie
Beautiful movie to look at (Cinematography Oscar nom was well earned). Fine epic movie score. Good direction and editing. Some of the best costume work ever put on film. No one even today could do a finer job of costuming.
Mel Ferrer is nowhere near the same league as Omar Sharif was in "Zhivago". Sharif was great, Ferrer just average. Ferrer is a major drawback. In contrast, Fonda displays tremendous acting ability (not having read the book I can concentrate on his performance rather than whether he looks the part). Hepburn is perfection and she delivers a great acting performance.
Yes it is a 1950's style movie, which of course has some dated aspects. However, in the case of costume, cinematography and some of the acting you couldn't see better in a film of any era. This is an impressive effort all-around.