Watch War and Peace

War and Peace, released in 1965, is an epic film adaptation of one of the greatest novels of all time by Leo Tolstoy. Directed by the famous Soviet director Sergei Bondarchuk, who also appears in the film as the leading role of Pierre Bezukhov, War and Peace was the most expensive film produced in the Soviet Union at that time with a budget of over $700 million.

The movie follows the intricate lives of several aristocratic families during the Napoleonic War in the early 19th century. The plot mainly revolves around the families of the Bolkonskys, the Rostovs and the Bezukhovs, and their interwoven love affairs, intrigues, and struggles during the tumultuous period of the war. As the story unfolds, we see how the characters are affected by the war and how their personal lives intertwine with the broader events of the time.

Lyudmila Saveleva brilliantly portrays Natasha Rostova, the young daughter of Count Rostov, who falls in love with Andrey Bolkonsky, a reserved and passionate young man played by Vyacheslav Tikhonov. Natasha's love for Andrey becomes the catalyst for many dramatic events in the movie, and their relationship remains one of the most poignant and intense in the story.

The character of Pierre Bezukhov, played by the director himself Sergei Bondarchuk, is arguably the most complex and intriguing one in the film. An illegitimate son of a wealthy nobleman, Pierre is initially depicted as a bumbling and awkward social misfit. However, he eventually becomes a more assertive character who strives to understand the deeper meaning of life and love amidst the chaos of the war.

The battle scenes in War and Peace are expertly staged and breathtakingly realistic. The massive battle sequences depict thousands of soldiers and horses as they converge on the battlefield. The most amazing scene in the movie is undoubtedly the Battle of Borodino, which features over 12,000 soldiers and is considered to be one of the greatest battle sequences in movie history.

The movie also boasts an outstanding musical score, composed by the famous Russian composer Vyacheslav Ovchinnikov. The music adds a powerful emotional dimension to the film, creating an atmosphere of grandeur and tragedy. The haunting melody of the main theme song is instantly recognizable and has become one of the most iconic elements of the movie.

Overall, War and Peace is a true masterpiece of cinema that captures the grandeur and tragedy of one of the greatest novels ever written. With its stunning visuals, complex characters and depiction of the devastating effects of war on society, it remains a timeless classic that continues to captivate audiences to this day.

War and Peace is a 1967 history movie with a runtime of 8 hours and 4 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.3.