If you don't have 6 hours to spare for the greatly superior Russian version, this will do as a sort of 'Readers Digest' version, and actually cracks along at a fair pace. Obviously you lose lots of subtleties, but.. it's OK.
Having just read the book, I was expecting worse than this. I love Vidor, but knowing it was a Ponti-De Laurentis post synch production and that Fonda was playing a man half his age who is constantly refered to as fat or "so fat" in the book I was prepared for the worst. Vidor actually nails a couple of moments and some of the casting is inspired. Hepburn is absolutely Natasha.And Fonda is good enough to make you forget that he is fully miscast.
Mel Ferrer as
Bolkonsky on the other hand is regrettable, not only is he one of the worst actors to have ever graced the screen, he makes one of Tolstoy's most complex and interesting character absolutely vile.
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TheMajor
'Voyna i mir' is much better than this.few visible scars
If you don't have 6 hours to spare for the greatly superior Russian version, this will do as a sort of 'Readers Digest' version, and actually cracks along at a fair pace. Obviously you lose lots of subtleties, but.. it's OK.snag
.....sorry, i love 'grande' film-making, but this one's a real 'snoozer' !!!!Srowley75
Jack Cardiff's cinematography is the real star.allisoncm
Maybe she just wanted to start a family.Kasparius
Having just read the book, I was expecting worse than this. I love Vidor, but knowing it was a Ponti-De Laurentis post synch production and that Fonda was playing a man half his age who is constantly refered to as fat or "so fat" in the book I was prepared for the worst. Vidor actually nails a couple of moments and some of the casting is inspired. Hepburn is absolutely Natasha.And Fonda is good enough to make you forget that he is fully miscast.Mel Ferrer as
Bolkonsky on the other hand is regrettable, not only is he one of the worst actors to have ever graced the screen, he makes one of Tolstoy's most complex and interesting character absolutely vile.
I can't believe Audrey fell for this douchebag.