Customer Reviews

War and Peace (Widescreen)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was 16 went I saw the original theatrical release of Paramount's 1956 version of War & Peace. I was enthralled... but then in those days I was enthralled with every wide-screen, stereo sound movie I saw. I even enjoyed Beneath The 12 Mile Reef !!! Since those heady days I have tried to watch this Hollywood version of Tolstoy's epic novel on TV and VHS, but was always panned-and-scaned into numbness. With the Dec. 3rd , 2002, release, after nearly a half-century of missing its left and right sides, this solid, and beautifully mounted film emerges once again in its wide screen glory.

Of course condensing a 1000 page novel into three hours eliminates many of Tolstoy's details, but the basic story remains very much in tact. What is stellar here is the cast. In 1956 Audrey Hepburn was peaking, both as an actress and a beauty. Henry Fonda played a sympathetic Pierre with considerable grace, and Mel Ferrer did admirably with the difficult role of the moody Andrei. Most impressive is Oscar (Mr. Eyebrows) Holmolka as General Katuzov, and Herbert Lom makes a believable brooding Napoleon. You even get Anita Ekberg! Then when you add John Mills, Vittorio Gassman and a number of other accomplished performers, this becomes a film well worth watching. It is also notable because it was the last major directing effort by silent film master, King Vidor.

But hang on! Also in December the eminently preferable, 1968 Sergi Bondarchuk Mosfilm six-hour version of War & Peace also comes out on DVD. Paramount put together a "cast of thousands," but Mosfilm appears to have assembled a "cast of millions" To portray the vast French and Russian forces, Bondarchuk did not need "digital clones" for he had the services of the entire Red Army. In 1956 I was very impressed with Vidor's Battle of Bordino sequence, but compared the action Bondarchuk puts on the screen during the defense of Moscow, it almost seems quaint.

Paramount's version is fine, but wait until Bondarchuk takes you on a ride across the battle field by hitching his camera to a cannonball.

Clark Santee

This is an appeal to Hollywood, if anyone's listening.
I first saw this film in 1956, when it first opened in the UK.

I've seen it several times since, but all I can get here across the pond, is a second hand video at an extortionate price of nearly £ 40.

Please can we have it on DVD? SOON!

Hasn't anyone ever heard of something called DIGITAL RESTORATION? Why must evryone keep waiting for sudios to release all these movies on proper 3- disc sets with a proper restoration. i mean, look what they did to My Fair LADY, it was so well restored that i couldn' tell the difference. even gone with the Wind hasn't had a proper DvD release yet.

War and Peace is a wonderful film and Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer are great in it. Its a must see performance. Truly good.

It has been almost 50 years since this film first appeared, allegedly based on Tolstoy's novel and stolidly directed by King Vidor. Since then, of course, there have been dozens of other epic films whose special effects were aided and enhanced by technologies then unavailable to Vidor and his crew. However, given the scope and depth of Tolstoy's examination of Russia in the 1805-1815 time period, even a film produced today could not possibly do full justice to his novel. My rating takes into full (and respectful) account when this film was made; also, I admit being charmed by Audrey Hepburn's style and grace in the role of Natasha. However, Vidor's direction seems to me uninspired, at times listless, and Henry Fonda (one of my favorite actors) is woefully miscast as Pierre. However, there are several magnificent, truly memorable scenes. The cast and crew are inevitably multi-national, adding at least some seasoning to a bland screenplay. Strong performances in a supporting role are provided by Vittorio Gassman (Anatole), Oscar Homolka (General Kutuzov), and Herbert Lom (Napoleon). Jack Cardiff and Aldo Tonti's cinematography is first-rate. "All things considered," the film is often entertaining despite a running time of 208 minutes. It is what it is...but not what it could have been. Hence my rating of Three and One-Half Stars to which I add half a Star in special appreciation of Audrey Hepburn's performance.

Apparently, when this would-be epic came out in the mid-fifties, the Russian authorities had to check Tolstoy's grave to see how many times he had turned over. This film is very much a Classics Illustrated-type version of the supposedly greatest novel ever written. It's one of those Hollywood-in-Europe international productions in which the cast speaks in a variety of accents, except for the ones who are (badly) dubbed. Italy never looks remotely like Russia and the whole thing creaks along slowly under the weight of its own self-importance.

Visually, the film has a few good moments and, visually, Audrey Hepburn seems an inspired choice to play Natasha. But Henry Fonda as Pierre is mis-casting on a scale of John Wayne as Genghis Khan. Mel Ferrer, never an overly expressive actor, confuses sleep-walking with aristocratic haughtiness. And Anita Ekberg was obviously included as a joke. Only Herbert Lom as Napoleon and Oscar Homolka as Kutuzov emerge from the film with any credibility.

The film was made at a time when film makers were trying to lure audiences away from television, so they kept making bigger and bigger movies. Films such as The Ten Commandments and Around The World In 80 Days. So it is slightly surprising that War And Peace actually looks somewhat better on the small screen. But there are so many other, better films to spend that amount of time with. If you want War And Peace - the real War And Peace - see the 1960's Russian version. Now there's a classic!

Although often naïve, even crude, the films of King Vidor (1913-1959) were frequently distinguished by their sheer energy and forceful visual style.. As his career progressed, his films became increasingly grand in terms of narrative scope and visual bravura..

Tolstoy and Vidor tell the epic story through a handful of major characters..

As Napoleon Bonaparte prepares to invade Russia.. Pierre Bezukhov (Henry Fonda), an aristocrat so liberal in his views.. visits his friend Count Rostov (Barry Jones) and his radiant, young daughter Natasha (Audrey Hepburn).. They all witness 'those handsome Russian men marching away to fight.. to be killed..'

When his father dies.. Pierre falls under the spell of the attractive Helene (Anita Ekberg) and finds himself unable to resist her passionate response.. He marries her even though everybody knows that she's fooling around on him with Dolokhov (Helmut Dantine)..

His closest friend, Prince Andrei Bolkonsky (Mel Ferrer), achieves success as a soldier under General Kutuzov (Oscar Homolka) but returns wounded, a condition made the worse by the death of his wife in childbirth..

With his own marriage ended by the adultery of his woman.. Pierre introduces the grieving Andrei to Natasha.. and the pair fall in love.. But before they can marry.. Andrei goes to fight the invading French and the pacifistic Pierre goes along as an observer...

The motion picture ( deals with war and its effect on people..) contains many marvelous pictorial moments: colorfully uniformed regiments marching through the excellent streets of Moscow.. snowy landscapes.. a magnificent Ballroom sequence.. and most of all, Napoleon's forces at the epic battle of Borodino.. the march on Moscow.. and the tragic retreat of Napoleon's army through the Russian winter..

Most of the military side of the story takes place in the second half, and it seems slow to arrive.. but the battle of Borodino is fairly well handled.. It is focused (through Pierre's eyes..) with long shots of the invading and retreating French troops..

Audrey Hepburn (whose boyish figure provided a refreshing antidote to the film..) is lovely as Natasha.. Her flaming innocence and blossoming sensuality set her sweet heart ablaze.. This charming spirit (with so much enthusiasm and romanticism..) is full of life and true love.. Hepburn matures from an impulsive, kind-hearted teen-ager.. to an understanding woman who uses her courage and impetuousness to love.. to care and to serve..

Henry Fonda is pure, brave, and noble.. He projects with sincerity the confusion of an honest man caught up in an angry twist of history.. He witnesses the horrific events of war.. experiencing days of misery as a prisoner of war.. His remarkable adventures lead him to understand at least part of the mysteries of life.. humanity.. love and loyalty.. Pierre is strikingly different from others.. with a deep love and esteem for his country and his sweetheart..

Mel Ferrer is Andrei, the sensitive prince who doesn't come around until he meets the sweet Natasha.. Andrei is intelligent but arrogant.. He ignores the feelings of his wife and fails to carry out his responsibility as a husband..

Vittorio Gassman is Anatole, the legendary seducer.. darkly handsome, sensuous, magnetic, who lives in a world of debauchery.. a man dangerous to love, impossible to resist..

Herbert Lom is Napoleon, the 'greatest man of Europe' who (sees his men walking hardly under fatiguing conditions through the snowy fields of Russia..) had a tough decision to make..

Oskar Homolka is General Kutuzov who forms a reasoned judgment against an enemy who has a larger, more efficient force.. (It is unclear whether he did this out of weakness or whether it was part of a brilliant strategy with the purpose of drawing Napoleon's army way beyond their means of supply for the winter, which Bonaparte had not prepared for..)

Anita Ekberg is Helene, the charming and reckless libertine who goes to a world of cheats and insults her husband's ego making his life depressed and miserable..

Helmut Dantine is Dolokhov, the officer (challenged for a duel..) who puts on view the better side of his character much later..

Tulio Carminati is Prince Vasili Kuragine, a man of the world who familiarizes himself with people who are influential and tries to obtain favor from them..

Barry Jones is Count Rostov, a loving family man and an excellent friend.. He is indulgent towards his family and provides them comforts and luxuries of life..

Milly Vitale is Lise, Andrei's loving wife.. who implores her husband to stay back..

Lea Seidl is Countess Rostov, a simple housewife and a loving mother.. proud of her children..

Wilfrid Lawson is Prince Bolkonsky, a despot aristocrat who imposes his authority on his son without caring for his feelings..

May Britt is Sonya, the tender young girl who is devoted to the Rostov family and loves Nicholas..

Jeremy Brett is Nicholas Rostov, a handsome young man who is (waiting to enlist in the army..) attracted to Sonya, his cousin..

Sean Barrett is the young Petya who joins the army to attack the fleeing French forces out of Russian soil and shatters the life of his beloved parents..

John Mills is Platon, the cheerful Russian peasant whose philosophies comfort Pierre..

Vidor's 'War and Peace' is (faithful to the larger historical events.. entertaining as a period melodrama..) ambitious.. thoughtful.. and massive in scale..

War and Peace is about the Napoleonic invasion of Russia in 1812. This edition, verses the Russian (1967, Soviet Union era) edition, is of course shallower. However, for half the time investment it does give one a good taste of the subject. The longer, 1967 edition has more to say, yet it also ends with a sort of propaganda message of "compassion towards one's defeated enemy" that does not align with history (it was made during the Soviet Union days). This 1956 edition ends more like it did in real life. Both editions are worthwhile.

Great Cast with a great story is not always the best combo, but this DVD is a keeper. Audrey Hepburn as Natasha does the best with her multi expressions & cute dialogue during the many courtships throughout the film. Henry Fonda as Pierre comes in a close 2nd, but at 1st he seems out of place, too passive. Later this lack of emotion or evolvement shines forth as he goes though many hardships as a prisoner of Napoleon. Mel Ferrer as Prince Andrei, then Audrey Hepburn's real husband, has the same problem as Henry Fonda, he drifts in & out of character. I believe the problem with the main male actors is that they played it too straight. The woman who played Prince Andrei's 1st wife did the worst, she over acted like a silent movie star. The supporting cast does a great job, specially the actor playing Nepoleon. This is exactly what I think Nepoleon looked & acted like in the early 19th century. The phyical height & size for the French emperor are perfect, & the letting of free opinion to be express, yet at the same time having the over powering will to bring Europe to his knees. Desite the flaws, this version of "War & Peace" will give you a short stroll, with a "to the point" idea of a western classic with great photography & sound. I try not to watch it too many times because I don't want to wear it out.

It's been quite a while since I saw this movie but I'll never forget it. I think Audrey Hepburn was Superb and I always think of her as Natasha. She was perfect in portraying youth and innocence and her impetuous personality showed through well.I can't think of any other actor to compare with her.

I found it difficult to really like Prince Andrei-he seemed so standoffish but he was faithful in his love. In my mind, Pierre, my favorite male character, was really the hero. He was noble in a different way than Prince Andrei.

This was a wonderful movie and great for any viewer who likes historical romances. Although I do not like war movies,the movie was wonderful in giving a brief view of life in the Russian empire. It depicted the brutality of war also and the suffering of the prisoners.

This is definitely a classic and worth seeing more than once.