War and Peace

greyduster I thought Pierre came across as a bit of a buffoon, but I thought that was the point?

I quite liked Ade Edmonson, Rebecca Front and Jim Broadbent (apparently Greta Scacchi is in it too, somewhere). Those are competent established actors. The younger ones look too much alike to me, and I think Lily James looks too old to play her character (she's only supposed to be 13).

We watched it last night and i hated it (DH got bored and drifted off) - mostly because of the ghastly portayal of Pierre Bezukhov. He blundered about like looking like a cross between a young Harry Potter and Billy Bunter, via Mole in Wind in the Willows! In fact, none of the characters was remotely likeable. The battle scenes were good, if a little graphic. I'll keep watching, hoping it will get better. It has spurred me on to read the book!

How can they do it all in six episodes?

Read the book a long time ago and loved it. especially loved the 1970's tv serial with Hopkins ( first time I had seen him, and thought what a fantastic actor.) This actor ( don't know the name) plays Pierre as a dolt!

Thanks for the tip-off appygran. I will look for it. Am I right in thinking that the earlier series was longer?

The 1972 version is available on dvd, I have just ordered it from Amazon. Thought it might be interesting to compare the two versions.

I enjoyed it but would like to see the 1972 version for comparison. It was the first time I'd seen Anthony Hopkins who played Pierre. He was outstanding as he has always been ever since. I was desperate to see the last episode before DS2's due date. If he'd been early, I might have missed it. Luckily he arrived on his expected day. I saw it in B&W as we didn't have a colour TV at the time. I didn't see that as a deprivation.

I have read it twice, once in the 70's at the same time as it was on TV, that was fun and again about 10 years ago. I'm sure it helps as you know the characters and who to like. Also who to worry about, there are some good cliff hangers and story lines set up in this first episode.
I also skipped a lot of the battles/war parts too garnet. They are very long.
It's a very intense production probably as it's only 6 episodes I think. Looking forward to the rest.

I'd love to see the 1972 version again too. I was too young for it at the time.

I agree with those upthread who find it too "bright". I'm wondering if it's meant for the American market.

I think I'm going to have to read the book, because at the moment I can't seem to care about the characters, or what happens to them. Only Pierre stands out for me.

I'd like to see more shots of St Petersburg too, as it's stunning.

I wanted to give it a try, but was outvoted. I`ve a feeling that seeing it acted out might make it easier to understand than reading the book. I started to read it at the tender age of 14, many years ago, but gave up after a couple of chapters. As it`s the only book I`ve ever given up on, I decided to give it another go, and bought a copy about 2 or 3 years ago. It took me 4 weeks, and was very hard going, but at least I finished it that time.

I've realised that one problem I have with it is that the main characters all seem to young; which I know is my problem for being so old. I thought the costumes all seemed very bright, but maybe they were at that time.

Grumppa a very valid point.

I watched and really enjoyed it. It is a very good story if a bit long.

I have read W&P. It's a long read but take it in sensible chunks. IMO it's a lot more interesting than anything written by JR Tolkien which I just cannot "get".

W&P seems to have a totally injustified reputation of being a difficult book.
It's just like any historical novel but a bit longer.

It's very much about the trials and tribulations caused by war and the love lives of the participants with a few moral dilemmas thrown in for good measure.

Blow me, tried again and the phone rang as I got to the bit where I'd fallen asleep before [phone never rings usually]. I'll stick with it but am seriously underwhelmed thus far. Natashas [I think it's Natasha] teeth are annoying me as well.

I agree with vegasmags I would much prefer to see the 1972 version. The wonderful Angela Down was in it as well.

Fell asleep watching it just now so going to try again. Have to say what I did see wasn't very inspiring; the characters lacked any charisma and the music was awful.

I watched it and quite enjoyed it, but compared it unfavourably with the 1972 version starring Anthony Hopkins and Alan Dobie. The current version is to be screened in only 6 episodes - not many to capture the essence of an epic length novel. The earlier version ran to 20 episodes and captivated me so much that I then read the novel in only 3 days. I really wonder why the BBC just didn't show the Dobie/Hopkins version again to a new and younger audience.

I haven't seen the first episode yet but am looking forward to it. From what i've seen i can't imagine whoever it is playing Bezukhov carrying it off - he just doesn't look right. Henry Fonda played him in the '56 film, and even he seemed miscast. Anthony Hopkins in the seventies tele version came closest i think. I confess i'm a sucker for all those Napoleonic uniforms!! I'm ashamed to say i haven't read the book!

I saw the film in 1956, with Audrey Hepburn, Mel Ferrer and Henry Fonder, to name just three! (well, it was a long time ago!!) and I loved it. Think I'm going to enjoy this version, as I love history and all historical.

I loved it. I have read the book three times the first two skipping the "war" bits but after hearing it on the radio last year read it again in full. I was worried that this production would spoil it but so far it's been very true to the book. Appygran I can't say which is the best translation but do give the book a go as it is wonderful.

Tegan - what a brilliant idea to watch first episodes twice - I will definitely try that.

Watched it, but it didn't hold my attention. Not sure why.

I thought it was rather good. The battle scenes were gory, but really showed how awful face to face battle is, especially when you just have a sword and the other side have guns!

x

Looked forward to it but will probably not bother again. It is very beautifully produced but everyone is just so blatantly unpleasant or plain drippy (I know that is Tolstoy for you) but for me to be tempted into a Drama, I do have to feel some sort of connection with the characters and from last nights showing I do not see that happening.

As for all the tosh about James Norton being the 'Russian Darcy'...that's a huge non starter for me. He might be a good looking young actor but Mr Darcy was, deep down, a decent man with a strong moral compass and sense of duty......this character is a very unpleasant type so all the good looks in the world will not help.

I forgot to watch it; thank goodness my catchup seems to be [touch wood] working at the moment. I now tend to watch first episodes of things twice; in that way I get a [slightly] better understanding of who's who.

Sad to say I fell asleep after20 minutes but DH enjoyed it though he did have difficulty sorting out who was who.I think they must have taken considerable liberties with the text to get it all into six episodes.Think I will resort to Gransnet in the future !