War and Peace Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Rich people in old-timey Russia have feelings during a war they didn’t start, so they get sad and fall in love and stuff.

🍿 War and Peace: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Rostovs and Bezukhov: A World Before War

In 1805 Russia, the film introduces two prominent families: the Rostovs and Count Pierre Bezukhov. The Rostovs, particularly the spirited Natasha, embody youthful exuberance, while Pierre, an intellectual and the illegitimate son of a wealthy count, returns from Paris with admiration for Napoleon. His pacifist views clash with the military fervor of the time, setting the stage for his personal journey amidst the looming conflict.

Love and Loss: Pierre’s Entanglements and Andrei’s Duty

Pierre inherits a vast fortune after his father’s death, making him a target for the scheming Hélène Kuragina. He marries her, only to discover her infidelity. Meanwhile, Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, seeking glory, joins the army, leaving behind his pregnant wife, Lise. The contrasting paths of Pierre and Andrei highlight the different ways individuals grapple with societal expectations and personal desires in a time of upheaval.

War Approaches: Battle of Austerlitz and Romantic Entanglements

As Napoleon’s influence grows, Andrei participates in the Battle of Austerlitz, experiencing firsthand the horrors of war and being left for dead. Simultaneously, Natasha’s innocent flirtations and societal pressures lead to complications, foreshadowing the emotional turmoil that will accompany the impending invasion of Russia.

Betrayal and Forgiveness

While Andrei is away on military duty, Natasha is nearly seduced by Anatole Kuragin. However, her elopement plans are foiled by Sonya and Pierre. The aftermath leaves her reputation in tatters and her engagement with Andrei broken, emphasizing the consequences of societal pressures and personal choices.

Napoleon’s Invasion and the Burning of Moscow

In 1812, Napoleon invades Russia. As the French advance, Moscow is evacuated and set ablaze. Pierre, witnessing the carnage at the Battle of Borodino, is captured by the French. Meanwhile, Natasha and the Rostovs flee, grappling with loss and the changing landscape of their lives.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Natasha Rostova (Audrey Hepburn): A spirited and impulsive young noblewoman who matures through love and loss amidst the Napoleonic Wars.
• Pierre Bezukhov (Henry Fonda): An intellectual and idealistic but awkward man who inherits a fortune and seeks meaning in life during a time of war.
• Prince Andrei Bolkonsky (Mel Ferrer): An ambitious and stoic officer who becomes disillusioned with war and finds a brief connection with Natasha.
• Napoleon (Herbert Lom): The ambitious and ultimately defeated Emperor of France whose invasion of Russia shapes the lives of the main characters.
• Helene Kuragina (Anita Ekberg): A beautiful and manipulative woman who marries Pierre for his wealth but is unfaithful to him.
• Field Marshal Kutuzov (Oscar Homolka): The shrewd and patient Russian general who leads the defense against Napoleon’s invasion.
• Anatol Kuragin (Vittorio Gassman): A charming and unscrupulous seducer who almost elopes with Natasha, causing scandal.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Prince Andrei Bolkonsky: “There must be something you want to do.” – Said to Pierre, probing his friend’s lack of direction and purpose in life.
• Pierre Bezukhov: “I want to discover… everything! I want to discover why I know what’s right and still do what’s wrong. I want to discover what happiness is, and what value there is in suffering. I want to discover why men go to war, and what they really say deep in their hearts when they pray. I want to discover what men and women feel when they say they love.” – Pierre passionately expressing his desire for knowledge and understanding of life’s deepest questions.
• Closing credits epilogue: “The most difficult thing – but an essential one – is to love Life, to love it even while one suffers, because Life is all. Life is God, and to love Life means to love God.” – Closing quote from Tolstoy emphasizing the central theme of finding meaning and value in life, even amid suffering.
• Pierre Bezukhov: “Damn you, Napoleon! Damn you to Hell!” – Pierre curses Napoleon after witnessing the horrors of the Battle of Borodino, marking a turning point in his view of Napoleon and war.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $6,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $24,874

💥 War and Peace Reviews

Personal Review

I found ‘War and Peace’ to be a beautiful, sweeping epic. Audrey Hepburn is radiant as Natasha, and she captured the character’s innocence and passion perfectly. I was particularly moved by the scenes of the French retreat from Russia; the harshness of the winter was palpable. The film felt long, but the story and characters were compelling enough to keep me engaged, and in the end, I’m glad I experienced it. It’s a classic for a reason!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas”
  • “Those interested in adaptations of classic literature”
  • “Viewers who appreciate epic storytelling”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “War violence”
  • “Death”
  • “Infidelity”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “King Vidor’s version of Leo Tolstoy’s WAR AND PEACE has finally been released in the U.S. by Paramount and is a welcome addition to my DVD collection. The film is truly spectactular (even when compared to the 6-hour Russian version of 1968), but it works for me because of the human story. AUDREY HEPBURN as Natasha is perfection itself. She grows from the delightful innocence of childhood to the wisdom (and beauty) of adulthood.
• IMDb: “This film is one spectacular visual moment after another, but unfortunately with really terrible sound. The reason for the bad sound is that the film was produced at Cinecitta studios in Rome and at that time, all films there were shot without live sound. Everything was dubbed later: dialogue, music and all ambient sounds. Anyway, War and Peace is a most worthwhile film experience for Vidor and Cardiff’s Technicolor Vistavision visuals, for the screenplay which is often quite beautifully written, and for many fine performances from some exceedingly charismatic film actors, especially the astonishing Audrey Hepburn.
• IMDb: “Although often naive, even crude, the films of King Vidor 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…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…

Audience Reactions

Audrey Hepburn’s performance is considered a highlight, perfectly embodying Natasha’s spirit.: The visuals, costumes, and large-scale battle scenes are frequently praised for their spectacle.

Overall Consensus: A visually impressive but somewhat simplified adaptation of Tolstoy’s epic, with Hepburn’s performance being a standout.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Audrey Hepburn was 27 years old when she played Natasha, who is supposed to be 13 at the start of the film.”
• “The film was shot in Italy at Cinecittà Studios, which was a common practice for large-scale historical epics at the time to reduce production costs.”
• “Eight writers worked on the script, attempting to distill Tolstoy’s massive novel into a manageable screenplay.”

🖥️ How to Watch War and Peace?

War and Peace (1956) is available for purchase on platforms such as Amazon. Check listings to stream from services like Prime Video and Apple TV.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed War and Peace, you might like these similar films:

• Waterloo (1970): Direct comparison: focuses specifically on Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo, depicting large-scale battles and political intrigue of the Napoleonic era.
• Doctor Zhivago (1965): Thematic Similar: Another sweeping romantic drama set against the backdrop of war and revolution in Russia, exploring themes of love, loss, and societal upheaval.
• The Leopard (1963): Thematic Similar: An Italian historical drama that follows an aristocratic family during the Risorgimento. Although a different era, it also tackles the theme of the end of an era for an aristocratic family, similar to the book War and Peace.
• Pride & Prejudice (2005): Thematic Similar: For viewers interested in the characters’ love stories, Pride and Prejudice explores the complications and restrictions of romance within a very specific societal class.

🛒 War and Peace Related Products

• War and Peace (The Maude Translation) Paperback: Experience Tolstoy’s masterpiece in a highly regarded translation known for its accuracy and readability, making this complex novel accessible to all.
• War and Peace [Blu-ray]: Own the beautifully restored Blu-ray of this epic film, allowing you to experience the visual splendor in high definition with enhanced picture and sound quality.
• War and Peace Movie Poster: A vintage-style movie poster of ‘War and Peace’ featuring Audrey Hepburn, printed on high-quality, archival paper, perfect for framing and display.
• Russian Imperial Era Collectible Figurine Set: A set of hand-painted figurines depicting characters and historical figures from the era of ‘War and Peace,’ crafted with intricate detail and historical accuracy.

🎧 Soundtrack

War and Peace features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “War and Peace Suite” – performed by Nino Rota
• “Grande Valse Brillante” – performed by Frédéric Chopin

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

War and Peace and Everything Else (Feat. Lindsay Ellis and Princess Weekes) | It’s Lit

Ever feel intimidated by ‘War and Peace’? Lindsay Ellis and Princess Weekes break it down in this super engaging video. I never thought I’d say this about Tolstoy, but it’s actually a fun watch!

War and Peace | Character Map

Trying to keep track of all the characters in ‘War and Peace’? This character map is a lifesaver! Honestly, I wish I’d found this before I started reading – it would have saved me so much confusion.

Before you Read War and Peace – Leo Tolstoy Book Summary, Analysis, Review (Russian Novel)

Thinking about tackling ‘War and Peace’? This video gives you all the need-to-know context *before* you even open the book. Super helpful, and I appreciate how they break down the historical background.

Napoelon discusses Moscow with Davout & Bertier

Want to see Napoleon planning his next move? Check out this intense scene from the ‘War and Peace’ TV series. It’s a great peek into the characters and the historical events!

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