Sergei Bondarchuk's adaptation of 'War and Peace' is one of the best, and while it is flawed it is nonetheless a towering achievement that still leaves one in awe over fifty years later. Only the 1972 mini-series for me is better, though all the adaptations are more than watchable (the disappointing 2007 adaptation only just though). It is a film and adaptation that shouldn't be missed regardless of whether you speak or have knowledge of Russian or not, despite studying singing in it at music college my Russian is still fairly basic.
Found the first part to be excellent with a couple of things that could have been better (pacing), with some of the most gut-wrenching war sequences on film. Part 2 was not as powerful in that respect, but it does contain one of the most visually stunning and gorgeously romantic and staged ball scenes on film and is more interesting from a character standpoint. The adaptation continues to get even better with this third, and penultimate and shortest, part, which continues to be a visual marvel, the portrayal of war and chaos being even more impactful, everything feeling more settled and the characterisation richer.
Again more sharp bite would have been welcome, but that is a nit-pick. Elsewhere, 'War and Peace Part 3: The Year 1812' is excellent.
'War and Peace Part 3: The Year 1812' is stunning once again. The scenery and period detail is spectacular and gives a sense of time and place far better than any other version of 'War and Peace' and the cinematography is inventive and enough to take the breath away. Those overhead shots! The scope and spectacle is also enormous and that is apparent in the dominating battle, that did hit me hard on an emotional level with lots of blood and guts (figuratively).
Enhanced by a truly chilling music score, not only music that was emotionally powerful and beautiful to listen to but also gave a sense that the story was set in Russia in the way that few of the other versions, only 2016's, managed to achieve. The script is thoughtful and the story is compelling and with a lot of recognisable elements in detail and spirit.
Characters don't come over as caricatures, even Napoleon, and Bondarchuk's direction in the battle is some of the most remarkable of the entire adaptation. The acting is at times histrionic but is fine on the whole, don't think there is a more chilling Napoleon on film than Vladislav Strzhelchik.
In conclusion, excellent. 9/10
