War & Peace [VHS]
by John Davies
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Product details
Actor: Alan Dobie, Angela Down, Anthony Hopkins, Morag Hood, Sylvester MorandDirector: John Davies
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Unknown)
Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
Release Date: 2000-07-19
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Publisher: BBC Warner
Studio: BBC Warner
VHS Movie Reviews of War & Peace [VHS]
Movie Review: Ditto: BEST Version Since Fonda and Hepburn...
Summary: 4 Stars
I saw this version originally on Masterpiece Theatre in the 1970's. I am a HUGE
"Tony" Hopkins fan...I loved him in it then and have enjoyed watching his WORK since. A FINE actor! I LOVE British TV, also, particularly at this particular era.
There hasn't been any host like Sir Alistair Cooke for Masterpiece Theatre since or no sprawling, but GOOD epic series since, however. If you enjoy great books to film, this is a KEEPER! The shots of Napoleon's army's relentless march into Russia
are of GREAT effect particularly if you are familiar with history. I have seen every version of this story except the Russian film ( I hope to SOON). Yes, its a mini series forr television before American television decided to try them..."Rich Man Poor Man, Roots, etc" It's SUPERIOR. This is also a GREAT mood piece for those of is enduring this interesting winter. Have FUN!
Movie Review: War and Peace
Summary: 4 Stars
Saw this on PBS when it was new and have wanted to see it again ever since, but was a little disappointed. It seemed less great than I remembered it.Movie Review: Somewhat flawed, yes, but still a magnificent production (details)
Summary: 5 Stars
The Story: In 1805 and during the celebrated reign of Russia's "Alexander the Blessed", Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Austria to further expand his European empire. The Russians, stalwart allies of the Austrians at that time, stood firmly with their brethren against the infamous Emperor. However, Napoleon swiftly prevailed and, after a time, a treaty was ultimately signed at Tilsit. In 1812, the power-crazed Napoleon rose again to cross the Neiman River into the Russian homeland, again in an effort to expand his dominion. The end result of this tragic conflagration was that Napoleon's army of about 600,000 soldiers was reduced to roughly 60,000 men as the defamed Emperor raced from a charred and mostly deserted Moscow, (which he had taken), back across the frozen Russian landscape in his comfortable carriage (leaving his troops behind to fend for themselves under grueling conditions) for Paris. That encapsulates the military aspect of this tale.
But the more intricate story involves both the activities and the peccadilloes of primarily three Russian families of nobility: The Rostovs, the Bolkonskys, and the Bezukovs. The continual thorn of "The Antichrist," Napoleon, really just provides the wallpaper for this larger story of romance, riches, desolation, love, devastation, jealousy, hatred, retribution, nostalgia, joy, grief, naivety, stupidity, and so much more. Tolstoy has woven an incredibly intricate web that interconnects these noble families, the wars, and the common Russian people to a degree that would seem to most incomprehensible to achieve -- but Tolstoy perseveres with superb clarity and enormous insight into the human psyche. His characters are timeless and the reader of the book version of this magnificent story who has any social experience whatever will immediately connect with them all.
War and Peace is a fictional, lengthy novel, based upon historical fact.
The Mini-series: This is a 1972 BBC production starring Anthony Hopkins (early on in his notable acting career), consisting of five DVDs and lasting for almost 15 hours! The aspect ratio is 4 x 3 (not letterbox) which is consistent with the dimensions of the traditional television screen. It looks just fine on a widescreen TV as well. The package includes an informative 44-page booklet with behind-the-scenes information about the production along with biographies of the key actors.
The first thought that came to my mind about this mini-series is that it is so very complex that most folks will have difficulty in grappling with the entirety of the story unless they have previously read Tolstoy's book: War and Peace (Vintage Classics). It really doesn't matter much which translation that one reads (there are currently 12 English translations and the only divergent edition, in terms of what happens in the book, is this one: War and Peace: Original Version. I usually recommend the Briggs translation for first-timers to the work, although the mini-series is based upon the very similar Rosemary Edmonds translation: War and Peace Volume I. Translated by Rosemary Edmonds. Penguin Classics No L63.
This mini-series is a great introduction to War and Peace in the video format because it includes most of the nuts and bolts of Tolstoy's original story; however, in terms of artistic achievement this version cannot hold up to Bondarchuk's 1968 masterpiece film (dubbed in English, in letterbox, with available English and other subtitles): War and Peace (Special Edition). Director Bondarchuk's focus was more on Tolstoy's "magic" and less so on including each and every incident, albeit he corralled the most essential ones. I should also mention that the prospective buyer should not even consider acquiring the pathetic Hollywood film version starring Henry Fonda. It's one of the most lamentable book-to-film attempts I've ever seen: War and Peace.
Getting back to the BBC-Hopkins mini-series, the directors (Alan Dobie/John Davies) and other production folks unfortunately relented somewhat to their own egos and to that noxious little book-desecrator: "poetic license." In doing so, they told this magnificent tale much as a war historian might relate it, rather than seizing upon Tolstoy's meticulous, colorful, and powerful literary painting of the events. Make no mistake about it, this is an incredibly intricate and problematic story to render through the media of film. Allow me to now touch upon the mini-series' very few shortcomings and then I can subsequently summarize my considerable praise for this lengthy production in which the pros far outweigh the cons.
The casting was perhaps the most egregious aspect of this production. Ironically, Hopkins himself was a poor choice for the key character of Pierre Bezukhov. We detect, simply by looking at and listening to Hopkins in any environment, that he is incredibly intelligent, gifted, and articulate which is always going to leak through in any role that he plays - unfortunately, the character of Pierre is that of a portly, na?ve, and bumbling fool. Hopkins simply makes him come off as way too articulate and worldly, despite numerous vain attempts to make him appear less so.
A second casting calamity was that of actress Morag Hood who plays the equally important role of Natasha Rostov. To be blunt, Tolstoy created Natasha (in her youth of 13 years old and even later) to manifest every pedophile's fantasy. She is an incongruent blend of vivaciousness, stunning in appearance, uncontained in demeanor, puerile, and a bulwark of beaming sunshine, additionally exuding an untamed spirit unmatchable by any of her female peers.
Unfortunately, Hood's virtues are in contrast with this role and she could only be considered beautiful (I hate to toss this bomb but I will anyway) by English standards of the term... Hood's beauty is clearly internal, yet another feature which the egocentric Natasha does not at all share with her. Specifically, Hood's face is too emaciated in its structure and, while she's not actually buck-toothed, she demonstrates an overbite so prominent as to rival that of Hilary Clinton's chompers. This singular and regrettable actuality detracts from the centrality of the story to the degree that we as viewers cannot understand why all the young men plummet at her mere appearance (and in fact, Natasha's prospective lovers do not seem to wish to do so as their roles require!) Particularly in Natasha's teen appearances, the image of Hood's bounding and skipping around the various venues, sporting a young girl's pigtails, simply appears absurd.
Boris Drubetskoy (played by Neil Stacy) and Nicolai Rostov (played by Sylvester Morand) were each also far too mature in age to play their teen roles early in the tale, although they were faultless in adulthood in the latter episodes of the story.
The tendency of film-makers to gloss over the more magical parts of Tolstoy's Magnum opus illustrates their lack of comprehensive understanding of the story and perhaps their additional inability to convey it with a high level of competence. Two of the moments I'm thinking of in particular include "the mummers' sleigh ride" and "Petya's dream," (just prior to the attack on the retreating French convoy.) Both of these important scenes were sadly excluded from the mini-series.
My final criticism is one regarding an historical ignominy: the scene at old Count Rostov's renowned banquet where Pierre challenges Dolokhov to a duel. I found it quite distracting from an historical perspective that the banquet was, in this instance, conducted in honor of old General Kutuzov instead of his much-revered assistant, General Bagration, as it should have been. No competent technical advisor in his right mind would have permitted this faux pas of a change from the book to transpire as, at that particular time, Kutuzov was pretty universally scorned by all within his social realm, owing to his disastrous defeat by Napoleon in Austria and elsewhere, (even though he had probably saved the Russian Army through his personally courageous strategies.)
And that last comment provides me with the perfect entry to remark upon what fine acting Frank Middlemass conveyed through his role as General Kutuzov, (even though he was misused in that single instance.) Middlemass performed equally memorably in his role as the scandalous and drunken Marmelodov in the terrific mini-series of Dostoyevsky's Crime & Punishment - The Complete Miniseries.
Other key actors deserve a slate of Kudos for their respective appearances in the War and Peace mini-series: David Swift as Napoleon; Anthony Jacobs as old Prince Bolkonsky; Donald Douglas as Tsar Alexander I; Colin Baker as Anatole Kuragin; Rupert Davies as old Count Rostov; Faith Brook as Countess Rostova; Angela Down as Maria Bolkonskya, and; Candita Fawsitt as Julia Karagina, (a comparatively brief but very important role.) The terrific work of all these talented folks added so very much to the overall ambiance and palatability of the film.
In total, 20 episodes make up this sprawling color epic and, while it drags just a little here and there, I think that overall it represents a remarkable achievement in film. There was a lot of location shooting of the film in Yugoslavia which yielded spectacular scenery. The outdoor scenes were shot on actual film while the indoor shots were rendered to videotape. Noting those minor flaws which I mentioned previously, I can say without reservation that they are completely overcome by the inclusive comprehensive excellence of this superb mini-series.
Highly recommended!
Movie Review: Best and most accurate film of Tolstoy's classic
Summary: 5 Stars
After having viewed all four film versions of War and Peace, this is the one that is the most thorough, well acted and accurate version of the Tolstoy classic. When this series first aired in the 1970s, it inspired me to read the novel twice and with its nearly 15 hours length, it really provides the character development, historic depiction and range of scenes not found in any other version. I have found it great to watch in episodes in conjunction with reading the novel. In addition, the acting from Anthony Hopkins, Morag Hood and others is superb!
One of the great aspects of this BBC production is the degree to which the wide range of characters and scenes from the novel are depicted. In the 1968 Sergei Bondarchuk version, for example, Nikolai Rostov is almost totally ignored, so the story of his romance with Sonya, rescue and later marriage to Maria is noticeably missing. In addition, the acting in the 1972 BBC version is so strong, it more than makes up for not having the elaborate battle productions of the Bondarchuk version, (although that version's Battle of Borodino is probably the most sweeping battle scene of the Napoleonic Wars ever filmed, with extensive cast and re-enactments). The 1956 Hollywood version is perhaps the least compelling film depiction of the novel, in production values, being dated and in leaving so much out.
The fourth film version I've seen of War and Peace is the 2007 Italian TV series production with audio completely in English and directed by Robert Dornhelm. That may be my second choice to the BBC version. It would very much appeal to modern audiences in terms of its visual appeal, high quality production values and drama. Many of the scenes were filmed in Russia and Lithuania with an international cast. This version also depicts many key characters (e.g., Nikolai). However, this version seems to add a range of scenes that were never in the novel with a focus on Helene and Anatole's scheming to deceive Natasha. For example, it creates a scene in which Andrei in Poland instigates Anatole's marriage to a Polish peasant, which is the reason he couldn't have married Natasha when he seduced her. Also, it depicts Nikolai and Natasha going to Helene and Pierre prior to his duel with Dolohov to discourage Pierre from fighting, and Nikolai supports Pierre and serves as his second in the duel. In contrast, Nikolai was actually DOLOHOV's second in the novel. However, to someone who has not read the novel, these added or modified scenes add considerably to the drama, making the Italian version a very compelling and satisfying version to view. I found myself rereading the novel to find out which scenes were changed or new scenes added but also appreciating that these changes positively added to the drama. In addition, the bewitching Violante Placido provides the best portrayal of a wicked Helene and Malcolm McDowell is superb as Andrei's father. Unfortunately, this Italian version appears to no longer be available for sale. Mine was a Russian version all-region DVD, but this is not a problem to view in English, since the dialogue is very well done in English and does not appear to be dubbed. Hopefully, this Italian production will be re-introduced in the future for American audiences, especially because the dialogue is all in English, and because this 6 and a half hour, fast-paced version may appeal to modern audiences who may not have read the novel.
Yet, of the four film versions of War and Peace, it is the 1972 BBC version that I find to be the best, in terms of acting quality and depth of depicting the Tolstoy classic. From a historic context, the BBC version provides more historic context on Napoleon's invasion with scenes with him (nicely portrayed by David Swift) strategizing with his generals and advisors. Like the Bondarchuk version, Kutuzov is also portrayed well (by Frank Middlemass in the BBC version). The BBC version also fully develops characters such as Pierre's transformation with a wide range of scenes (e.g., freemasonry, marriage and family life with Natasha following the war) that are not shown in the other versions. This is the only version to actually conclude the novel as Tolstoy did with the epilogue showing Pierre and Natasha and Nikolai and Maria happily raising their families some eight years after the war. Likewise, a range of supporting characters (e.g., Boris Drubetskoy) are only shown in this splendid production thanks to the depth of the 20 episodes. Character develop and historic perspective is best portrayed through these episodes. Since they occur in episodes and are accompanied by the richly illustrated viewer guide with background on the original production, it is a very pleasant experience to view the BBC series in episodes as television series like Masterpiece Theater years ago provided extended TV series for richer development of novels. This is important given the sweeping extent of Tolstoy's novel.
Lastly, it is great to see Anthony Hopkins in one of his earlier masterpieces portraying Pierre. Morag Hood and Joanna David as Natasha and Sonya are good as well. The other actors, such as Sylvester Morand (Nikolai) and Alan Dobie (Andrei) are also good. Given the strong acting, depth of portraying the novel and its characters, and accuracy to Tolstoy's storyline, I would suggest if you had to pick one version, the 1972 BBC DVD version (note - many scenes were deleted in the VHS version) would be my first choice. Although if you love the novel and have reread it like I have, the 2007 Italian version and the 1968 Bondarchuk version are definitely worth a look too.
Movie Review: A wonderful War and Peace
Summary: 4 Stars
I love this version; I saw it on my local PBS channel over thirty years ago, after reading the book for the first time. It is a marvelous adaptation. Many of the previous reviews discuss the great job Anthony Hopkins did as Pierre (and I agree, he is terrific), but I must confess that I fell hopelessly in love with Alan Dobie's Prince Andrei when I was twelve, and I've carried a torch for him ever since. Seriously, what is great about this version is that it allows the characters to develop and grow over time. Most of it is through the dialogue: for example, Pierre and Andrei's friendly argument over the liberation of the serfs doesn't move the plot along in any usual sense, but it does allow us to see the differences in their philosophy and great affection they have for each other.
However, it is not flawless. It is dated and the special effects are fairly primitive(the Masonic ritual scene in particular is positively cringe-making), and I'm afraid I have to disagree with the scores of Morag Hood fans who seem to be out there. She is far too old to be a convincing young Natasha: she's supposed to be 17/18 when she meets Andrei, and she looks about 31. She is positively annoying when she's playing Natasha at 13. She comes into her own when Andrei is dying, and she is very good in the Epilogue--not too surprising, as she is playing someone closer to her own age.
But having said that, it is a smashing production, and I highly recommend it.
Summary of War & Peace [VHS]
Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace towers over most novels. It isn't merely the length that impresses--over 1,200 pages--but the number of characters. This BBC/Time-Life serial spans the Napoleonic Wars (1805-20) and incorporates 52 principals and 110 supporting players (a 44-page booklet proves indispensable with identification). Chief among them is Pierre (a bespectacled Anthony Hopkins), an illegitimate idler who becomes Count Bezuhov upon his father's death. Pierre admires Napoleon (David Swift), and chooses not to fight. Cousins Nikolai Rostov (Sylvester Morand) and Andrei Bolkonsky (Alan Dobie) harbor no such reservations.The Yugoslavia-filmed battle sequences convince with their cavalcade of extras, but the drawing-room scenes serve as the heart of the series. (The soft exteriors were shot on film; the crisp interiors on video.) In these sequences, the other Rostovs, Bolkonskys, and Bezuhovs--notably Nikolai's impetuous sister, Natasha (Morag Hood)--emerge as complex individuals. Occasional inner monologues distinguish them further. There's some overacting from a few cast members, like the splenetic Anthony Jacobs (Prince Bolkonsky), but Dobie, Angela Down (Andrei's sister, Maria), and especially BAFTA winner Hopkins, give three of the more nuanced performances. Dramatized by Jack Pulman (I, Claudius) and directed by TV veteran John Davies (Germinal), this 20-part series follows a black-and-white silent, a Hollywood production (with Henry Fonda and Audrey Hepburn), and an Oscar-winning Russian epic. The British edition, however, stands as the most complete adaptation. As Pulman stated at the time, "Part of the novel's effect is achieved by its sheer weight of detail, the piling up of incident upon incident." After 15 increasingly compelling hours of marriages, affairs, births, duels, and deaths, it's hard not to feel a kinship with these fatefully entwined families. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
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