.gif)
War and Peace (1968 film)
Encyclopedia
War and Peace is a Soviet-produced film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy
's novel War and Peace
. Sergei Bondarchuk
directed the film, co-wrote the screenplay and also acted in the lead role of Pierre
. It was produced over a seven year period and released in four parts between 1965 and 1967.
in 1961, and filming commenced September 1962. Due to escalating costs, in 1965, it was decided to finish production on the first two parts and enter them into the Moscow International Film Festival
that year. Filming for the third and fourth parts began August 1965, with filming on part three finishing December 1966, while continuing on part four up until August 1967.
War and Peace was shot and released in 70 mm. The process was called Sovscope 70 in the USA and Europe, and was the Soviet version of Todd-AO
, a large camera/presentation format with 6-channel stereophonic sound. There are many hand held shots in the film, which are difficult to achieve with a 70 mm camera. However, a special lightweight camera was devised for this film (which can be seen on the bonus DVD of the Ruscico release). The camera resembles a Bolex
camera and its magazine takes up most of the camera body.
In relating Tolstoy's complex tale of Napoleon's invasion of Russia, Bondarchuk made some of the most graphic battle scenes ever seen, one of which runs nearly 45 minutes. According to the Guinness Book of Records, its cast of 120,000 people is a record. Many museums in the USSR contributed artifacts for the production design, making it one of the most elaborate films ever created. Some estimates put its production costs at around US$100 million, which would be equivalent to $700 million today taking inflation
into account, making War and Peace the most expensive film production. However, more conservative estimates put the cost at 8,165,200 rubles (US$9 million) and US$29 million.
The first two parts were entered into competition at the 1965 Moscow Film Festival, and went on general release in 1966. The third and fourth parts were released in 1967.
For the US release, the film was shortened by more than an hour and shown in two parts: in some cities, part one was shown for one week and part two the next. However, the US screenings retained the four part structure by dividing part one into two chapters entitled Natasha and Andrei and The Battle of Austerlitz. Part two was similarly divided into chapters entitled Natasha and Pierre and The Burning of Moscow. The run time of part one was three and a half hours, and part two was three hours; both of these include fifteen minute intermissions between the named chapters. The film was dubbed into English with a linking narration, both of which were decried by some reviewers.
in the truncated US cut, with dubbing and pan and scan
. It has been released on DVD
in its original length, language and aspect ratio by Ruscico, a Russian-Belgian company specializing in Russian cinema. The film is also available from Image Entertainment
in the US.
The Ruscico release was made possible by a restoration in 1988 by Mosfilm
studios. The original 70 mm film elements were unavailable at the time, stored somewhere in the Ukraine
, their condition unknown due to a feud over Bondarchuk's legacy between post-Soviet Russia
and Ukraine. As a result, the restored film was derived from an anamorphically
compressed 35 mm copy of the original negative.
. Film critic Roger Ebert
states:
Leo Tolstoy
Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy was a Russian writer who primarily wrote novels and short stories. Later in life, he also wrote plays and essays. His two most famous works, the novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina, are acknowledged as two of the greatest novels of all time and a pinnacle of realist...
's novel War and Peace
War and Peace
War and Peace is a novel by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, first published in 1869. The work is epic in scale and is regarded as one of the most important works of world literature...
. Sergei Bondarchuk
Sergei Bondarchuk
Sergei Fedorovich Bondarchuk was a Soviet film director, screenwriter, and actor.- Biography :Born in Belozerka, in the Kherson Governorate, Sergei Bondarchuk spent his childhood in the cities of Yeysk and Taganrog, graduating from the Taganrog School Number 4 in 1938. His first performance as an...
directed the film, co-wrote the screenplay and also acted in the lead role of Pierre
Pierre Bezukhov
Count Pyotr "Pierre" Kirillovich Bezukhov is a central fictional character in Leo Tolstoy's novel War and Peace. He is the favourite of several illegitimate sons of the wealthy nobleman Count Kirill Vladimirovich Bezukhov.-Description:...
. It was produced over a seven year period and released in four parts between 1965 and 1967.
Production
Pre-production started at MosfilmMosfilm
Mosfilm is a film studio, which is often described as the largest and oldest in Russia and in Europe. Its output includes most of the more widely-acclaimed Soviet films, ranging from works by Tarkovsky and Eisenstein , to Red Westerns, to the Akira Kurosawa co-production and the epic Война и Мир...
in 1961, and filming commenced September 1962. Due to escalating costs, in 1965, it was decided to finish production on the first two parts and enter them into the Moscow International Film Festival
Moscow International Film Festival
Moscow International Film Festival , is the film festival first held in Moscow in 1959. From its inception to 1995 it was held every second year in July, alternating with the Karlovy Vary festival. The festival has been held annually since 1995....
that year. Filming for the third and fourth parts began August 1965, with filming on part three finishing December 1966, while continuing on part four up until August 1967.
War and Peace was shot and released in 70 mm. The process was called Sovscope 70 in the USA and Europe, and was the Soviet version of Todd-AO
Todd-AO
Todd-AO is a post-production company founded in 1953, providing sound-related services to the motion picture and television industries. The company operates three facilities in the Los Angeles area.-History:...
, a large camera/presentation format with 6-channel stereophonic sound. There are many hand held shots in the film, which are difficult to achieve with a 70 mm camera. However, a special lightweight camera was devised for this film (which can be seen on the bonus DVD of the Ruscico release). The camera resembles a Bolex
Bolex
Bolex is a Swiss company that manufactures motion picture cameras and lenses, the most notable products of which are in the 16 mm and Super 16 mm formats. The Bolex company was initially founded by Jacques Bogopolsky in 1927. Bolex is derived from his name. He had previously designed cameras for...
camera and its magazine takes up most of the camera body.
In relating Tolstoy's complex tale of Napoleon's invasion of Russia, Bondarchuk made some of the most graphic battle scenes ever seen, one of which runs nearly 45 minutes. According to the Guinness Book of Records, its cast of 120,000 people is a record. Many museums in the USSR contributed artifacts for the production design, making it one of the most elaborate films ever created. Some estimates put its production costs at around US$100 million, which would be equivalent to $700 million today taking inflation
Inflation
In economics, inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services. Consequently, inflation also reflects an erosion in the purchasing power of money – a...
into account, making War and Peace the most expensive film production. However, more conservative estimates put the cost at 8,165,200 rubles (US$9 million) and US$29 million.
Theatrical and television exhibition
In the Soviet Union, the film was released in four parts, with a combined running time of over seven hours:- Part 1 – Andrei Bolkonsky
- Part 2 – Natasha Rostova
- Part 3 – 1812
- Part 4 – Pierre Bezukhov
The first two parts were entered into competition at the 1965 Moscow Film Festival, and went on general release in 1966. The third and fourth parts were released in 1967.
For the US release, the film was shortened by more than an hour and shown in two parts: in some cities, part one was shown for one week and part two the next. However, the US screenings retained the four part structure by dividing part one into two chapters entitled Natasha and Andrei and The Battle of Austerlitz. Part two was similarly divided into chapters entitled Natasha and Pierre and The Burning of Moscow. The run time of part one was three and a half hours, and part two was three hours; both of these include fifteen minute intermissions between the named chapters. The film was dubbed into English with a linking narration, both of which were decried by some reviewers.
Video releases
War and Peace was released initially on VHSVHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
in the truncated US cut, with dubbing and pan and scan
Pan and scan
Pan and scan is a method of adjusting widescreen film images so that they can be shown within the proportions of a standard definition 4:3 aspect ratio television screen, often cropping off the sides of the original widescreen image to focus on the composition's most important aspects...
. It has been released on DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
in its original length, language and aspect ratio by Ruscico, a Russian-Belgian company specializing in Russian cinema. The film is also available from Image Entertainment
Image Entertainment
Image Entertainment, Inc. is an independent licensee, producer and distributor of home entertainment programming and film & television productions in North America, with approximately 3,000 exclusive DVD titles and approximately 250 exclusive CD titles in domestic release, and approximately 450...
in the US.
The Ruscico release was made possible by a restoration in 1988 by Mosfilm
Mosfilm
Mosfilm is a film studio, which is often described as the largest and oldest in Russia and in Europe. Its output includes most of the more widely-acclaimed Soviet films, ranging from works by Tarkovsky and Eisenstein , to Red Westerns, to the Akira Kurosawa co-production and the epic Война и Мир...
studios. The original 70 mm film elements were unavailable at the time, stored somewhere in the Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, their condition unknown due to a feud over Bondarchuk's legacy between post-Soviet Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and Ukraine. As a result, the restored film was derived from an anamorphically
Anamorphic format
Anamorphic format is a term that can be used either for: the cinematography technique of capturing a widescreen picture on standard 35 mm film, or other visual recording media, with a non-widescreen native aspect ratio; or a photographic projection format in which the original image requires an...
compressed 35 mm copy of the original negative.
Awards
- 1969 – Academy AwardAcademy AwardsAn Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
– Best Foreign Language FilmAcademy Award for Best Foreign Language FilmThe Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film is one of the Academy Awards of Merit, popularly known as the Oscars, handed out annually by the U.S.-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
(won), Best Art DirectionAcademy Award for Best Art DirectionThe Academy Awards are the oldest awards ceremony for achievements in motion pictures. The Academy Award for Best Art Direction recognizes achievement in art direction on a film. The films below are listed with their production year, so the Oscar 2000 for best art direction went to a film from 1999...
(Mikhail BogdanovMikhail Bogdanov (production designer)Mikhail Aleksandrovich Bogdanov was a Soviet production designer. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction for his work in the epic film War and Peace .-External links:*...
, Gennadi Myasnikov, Georgi KoshelevGeorgi KoshelevGeorgi Koshelev was a Soviet production designer and set decorator. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction for his work in the epic film War and Peace .-External links:...
, V. UvarovV. UvarovV. Uvarov was a Soviet set decorator. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction for his work in the epic film War and Peace .-External links:...
, nominated) - 1969 – Golden Globe – Best Foreign-Language Foreign Film
- 1969 – National Board of Review Award – Best Foreign Language Film
- 1968 – New York Film Critics Circle AwardsNew York Film Critics Circle AwardsNew York Film Critics' Circle Awards are given annually to honor excellence in cinema worldwide by an organization of film reviewers from New York City-based publications. It is considered one of the most important precursors to the Academy Awards....
– Best Foreign Language Film
Critical reception
The film holds 100% rating from critics on Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
. Film critic Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert is an American film critic and screenwriter. He is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.Ebert is known for his film review column and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The...
states:
“Considering its cost and the vast effort that went into its making, such a film can be made only once in our time. The wonder, indeed, is that it was made at all. ”
See also
- List of longest films
- War and PeaceWar and Peace (1956 film)War and Peace is the first English-language film version of the novel War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. It is an American/Italian version, directed by King Vidor and produced by Dino De Laurentiis and Carlo Ponti. The music score was by Nino Rota and the cinematography by Jack Cardiff...
– 1956 film directed by King VidorKing VidorKing Wallis Vidor was an American film director, film producer, and screenwriter whose career spanned nearly seven decades... - War and PeaceWar and Peace (TV series)War and Peace is a television dramatization of the Leo Tolstoy novel of War and Peace. This 20 episode series began on September 28, 1972.The BBC dramatisation of Tolstoy's epic story of love and loss set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars...
– 1972 BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
television adaptation starring Anthony HopkinsAnthony HopkinsSir Philip Anthony Hopkins, KBE , best known as Anthony Hopkins, is a Welsh actor of film, stage and television...
and Alan DobieAlan DobieAlan Russell Dobie , is a British actor.Dobie was born in Wombwell, Yorkshire, England, to George Russell and Sarah Kate Dobie. His father was a mining engineer and his mother's family were farmers. He was married to actress Rachel Roberts from 1955-61 then married Maureen Scott in 1963... - War and PeaceWar and Peace (Prokofiev)War and Peace is an opera in two parts , sometimes arranged as five acts, by Sergei Prokofiev to a Russian libretto by the composer and Mira Mendelson, based on the novel War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy...
– an opera composed by Sergei ProkofievSergei ProkofievSergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev was a Russian composer, pianist and conductor who mastered numerous musical genres and is regarded as one of the major composers of the 20th century... - List of submissions to the 41st Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
- List of Russian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film