War & Peace 

Napoleon's tumultuous relations with Russia including his disastrous 1812 invasion, serve as the backdrop for the tangled personal lives of five aristocratic Russian families.

Stars:

Anthony Hopkins, Morag Hood, Alan Dobie

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Anthony Hopkins	...	Pierre Bezukhov 17 episodes, 1972-1973
Morag Hood	...	Natasha Rostova 14 episodes, 1972-1973
Alan Dobie	...	Prince Andrei Bolkonsky 14 episodes, 1972-1973
Rupert Davies	...	Count Rostov 14 episodes, 1972-1973
Joanna David	...	Sonya 13 episodes, 1972-1973
Faith Brook	...	Countess Rostova 12 episodes, 1972-1973
Angela Down	...	Princess Maria Bolkonskya 10 episodes, 1972-1973
Sylvester Morand	...	Nikolai Rostov 10 episodes, 1972-1973
David Swift	...	Napoleon 9 episodes, 1972-1973
Fiona Gaunt	...	Hélène Kuragina 9 episodes, 1972
Frank Middlemass	...	Mikhail Kutuzov 8 episodes, 1972-1973
Anthony Jacobs	...	Prince Bolkonsky 7 episodes, 1972
Neil Stacy	...	Boris Drubetskoy 7 episodes, 1972-1973

Storyline

Napoleon's tumultuous relations with Russia including his disastrous 1812 invasion, serve as the backdrop for the tangled personal lives of five aristocratic Russian families.

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Plot Keywords:

soldier | napolon bonaparte character | conquest | napoleonic war | russian soldier | 

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 November 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Guerra e pace

Filming Locations:

Bela Crkva, Serbia

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), C.F.S. Kosutnjak

Technical Specs

Runtime:

890 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Davies worked two years on this show.

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Connections

Version of La guerre et la paix (2000)

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Soundtracks

God Save the Tsar!
By Alexei Lvov
Performed by The Band of H.M. Welsh Guards
[theme]

User Reviews

I heartily second the opinions regarding the superbness of this epic series

I don't have much to say in addition to the adulations given by, especially, those who watched this amazing series at a young age. I was 23 when it first broadcast on public television, a co production of the BBC and Time-Life. I disagree with the verbose UK reviewer above, who felt the episodes boring until about halfway. I was intrigued with episodes 1 and 2, and utterly engrossed by 3, waiting impatiently for the following week to bring the next episode. My only problematic observation from the 1st episode was that it seemed a little stagy, as if I were watching a stage play. Small criticism. Watching it again 37-odd years later ( have finished the 2nd DVD as I write this) I was again engrossed, with the advantage of not having to wait a week for the next episode! The only proper and accurate adaptation to the great novel.

Considering this a television production, I was again impressed (and surprised) by the ambition and quality of the battle scenes. It was refreshing not see an exaggerated CGI army battling another CGI army. My favorite actors were Alan Dobie and a young Anthony Hopkins. Every time I see Hopkins in a movie, I immediately remember his outstanding performance as Pierre. The one scene I always remember is Alan Dobie ad Prince Andre, lying in the battlefield after being wounded while leading a futile charge at Austerlitz, lying on the ground, staring up at the sky and remarking about it, that all is vanity, illusion.

Finally, how can one forget Fiona Gaunt as Helene? Wow, those low-cut empire-style gowns. I kept fearing (if that is the word) that she wouldn't be able to "contain" herself. (Sorry for the moment of male levity).

My all-time favorite British TV production, even slightly ahead of the wonderful Upstairs, Downstairs.

P.S. Thanks to the viewer who pointed out that it was not shown on Masterpiece Theater. I always remembered that it was, and was regretting that Alistair Cooke's introductions and final comments were missing from the DVD. Now I know that they were not! But how I wish they were!