Posted January 3, 20169 yr http://i4.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article7085447.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/War-Peace.jpg BBC One is starting 2016 BIG with it's 'new adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s timeless novel', War and Peace. 'Three young people experience life, love and loss against the epic backdrop of Russia’s wars with Napoleon.' It is written by Andrew Davies, directed by Tom Harper and stars Paul Dano, Lily James, James Norton, Rebecca Front, Jim Broadbent, Aneurin Barnard, Gillian Anderson and Stephen Rea. Tonight sees the first part of six episodes that will be broadcast each Sunday night. Episode 1: Russia, 1805. Napoleon Bonaparte's French army has invaded Austria, drawing Russia into the war against him. Everyone in aristocratic Russian society is rattled - except hot-headed Pierre Bezukhov, who admires the French emperor's politics. Pierre is an outcast in society, and the illegitimate son of one of Russia's wealthiest men. But now his father is close to death and his scheming relatives are vying for the old man's fortune - though they expect Pierre to be left with nothing. Pierre's dearest friend Prince Andrei Bolkonsky is excited for war with Napoleon. For him it offers a chance to find purpose in life by fighting on the front line. Unhappily married to a beautiful socialite, Lise, he plans to leave her behind at his fierce father's remote country estate and seek military glory for himself. The army under Andrei's wise mentor General Kutuzov expects a swift victory. But when the French unexpectedly prove their military might, Andrei is thrust into a dangerous battle. Pierre's other great friend is Natasha Rostova - a beautiful, lively young woman growing up fast and desperate to experience more of the world. When she sees love blossom between her brother Nikolai and his childhood sweetheart Sonya, she is inspired for the first time with romantic thoughts of her own. As the men ride off to war, Natasha and Sonya are left behind to wait and wonder if they will ever return.
January 3, 20169 yr Hmm, this was a little confusing. I didn't really manage to keep track of who the hell half of them ARE, let alone who they want/are being set up with etc. It looks like some real DRAMA might go down though, so that's enough to keep me on board.
January 3, 20169 yr Found the first episode a bit slow but I guess this was the set up episode for whatever's coming later. Still has promise though.
January 4, 20169 yr Author It's not exactly her first time on the BBC! She's also the main star in another big BBC Two hit called 'The Fall' alongside Jamie Dornan (50 Shades) and she also starred in a BBC adaptation of Great Expectations as Miss Havisham few years ago.
January 4, 20169 yr She's a fan of the Beeb then :lol: I'll have to hear her British accent!! Edited January 4, 20169 yr by Virginia's Walls
January 6, 20169 yr Hmm, this was a little confusing. I didn't really manage to keep track of who the hell half of them ARE, let alone who they want/are being set up with etc. It looks like some real DRAMA might go down though, so that's enough to keep me on board. The original BBC dramatisation (in 1972) was 20 45-minute episode, i.e. 15 hours. I assume some characters from that version have been axed, so the original will have been even more confusing. As for the 1000-plus page book, I might get round to reading it one day.
February 1, 20169 yr Anyone else still on board? Pretty gruesome scenes last night. Don't think I'll ever watch it again but not a bad show.
February 1, 20169 yr Why abandon it with only one more episode to go? I haven't seen last night's yet, but I've been enjoying it so far. There are Kindle versions of the book available free, so I might get round to reading it one of these days.
February 1, 20169 yr I'm hoping to watch it tonight, but episode 4 was a bit of a drag, so if it kicks things up a gear then that can only be good.
February 3, 20169 yr Oops, I meant not watch ever again after it finishes! Of course I'll watch the last episode!
February 3, 20169 yr Oops, I meant not watch ever again after it finishes! Of course I'll watch the last episode! That makes more sense!
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