For those born in the USSR, the canonical adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace is, of course, the heroic epic of Sergei Bondarchuk. Even many young Russians familiar with this work of the master, identify the heroes of the classic with on-screen images created by the greatest stars of Soviet cinema. It is not surprising that the mini-series War and Peace (2016), produced by BBC Cymru Wales, whose actors can be considered debutants for the most part, was met with a storm of criticism in our country. Nevertheless, a new television project based on Russian classics aroused great interest in Britain, and after its release on the screens, sales of the book’s books of the novel increased sharply.
general information
The launch of a television series commissioned by Danny Cohen and Ben Stevenson was announced in February 2013. Together with BBC Cymru Wales, The Weinstein Company, Lookout Point and BBC Worldwide worked on its production.
The executive producers of the television project were F. Penhale, J. Ormond, E. Davis, S. Vaughn and H. Weinstein. The mini-series consists of six episodes lasting 60 minutes for BBC One and eight eight-minute episodes for demonstration abroad.
Filming
The creators of the television project sought to maximally realistically recreate on the screen the atmosphere of Russian life at the beginning of the 19th century (whether they succeeded is another question). If possible, they decided to make a film outside the pavilions. For this, the actors and the crew came to Russia and had the opportunity to see firsthand the places where the events described in the novel took place.
Some scenes of the television series “War and Peace” were filmed in St. Petersburg on Palace Square and in the Assumption Cathedral, in the park and halls of the Great Gatchinsky, Yusupovsky and Catherine’s palaces. However, most of the work of the actors took place against the background of the interiors of the Rundale Castle. This is the former residence building of the Dukes of Courland, which is located in Latvia. It was built at the beginning of the century before last, Rastrelli, who created the Winter and Peterhof palaces, therefore, it has many features characteristic of St. Petersburg architecture.
Paul Dano
The role of Pierre Bezukhov in the series “War and Peace” (2016), whose actors were for the most part almost unknown to Russians, went to this American film producer and theater and film actor. By the start of filming, his work was awarded the US Actors Guild Award, and he was nominated for the prestigious Golden Globe and BAFTA awards.
Paul Dano began to play in the theater at an early age, and his film debut took place at the age of 17. In 2007, he was recognized as one of the best guitarists according to Rolling Stone magazine.
As the American actor himself admitted, before filming, he did not read War and Peace, but was familiar with the work of Leo Tolstoy in Anna Karenina. In an interview, Paul Dano admits that he fell in love with his hero, in which he is attracted by the desire to find the answer to the question “Why am I here?”.
Lily james
The new Natasha Rostova has a charming appearance and a whacky character. The actress, who is 10 years older than her heroine, began her career in the theater, and then starred in several TV shows. In 2015, she successfully played the role of Cinderella, winning the hearts of a children's audience around the world. In 2015-16, the girl received the US Screen Actors Guild Award for her work in the series Downton Abbey.
Lily James, whose name is most often mentioned when the actors of War and Peace are listed (2016), just fell in love with Natasha and protects her heroine from anyone who accuses her of frivolity and frivolity.
James norton
This on-screen embodiment of Prince Andrei Bolkonsky in War and Peace (2016 film), whose actors warmly recall the time spent in Russia, is the most controversial. James Norton does not look like Andrei Bolkonsky. This is a charismatic young man with typical Anglo-Saxon features. The actor considers his character to be seeking his destiny and not knowing how to love. When Natasha takes possession of his heart, he begins to change, but the story has a tragic ending. The most memorable for himself, James Norton called the waltz scene with Rostova, which was shot in the Catherine Palace with the participation of 200 extras-Russians.
Ashling Loftus
The actress, who played Sonya Rostov, made her debut at a very young age. Already at 18 she received the main prize of the Berlin Film Festival, and Screen International magazine called her “the star of tomorrow”. Her Sonya is reasonable, but dreams of happiness, although she understands that it is impossible for a girl who does not have a penny for her soul.
Jack lauden
For many actors of War and Peace (2016), the film helped to get acquainted with Russian culture and the work of Leo Tolstoy. These include Jack Lauden. At the age of 12, the actor had already performed on the stage of the Royal Theater in Glasgow, but it was the series “War and Peace” that brought him world fame.
The image of Nikolai Rostov in his performance turned out to be quite frivolous. Moreover, the actor himself most of all remembered the scenes with dancing. According to him, the brother of Lauden is a famous soloist of the Royal Ballet of Sweden, and during the filming of the genes made themselves felt.
Tuppence Middleton
At the time of filming in War and Peace, the actress had already starred in more than a dozen paintings. Helen Kuragina in her performance is cynical and cruel. She does not shun anything, and for her there are no moral barriers.
Callum turner
Anatole Kuragin in the mini-series “War and Peace” (2016), the photos of the actors of which appeared immediately on the covers of most British glossy magazines immediately after the premiere, is shown in the image of a classic scoundrel, to match his sister. Moreover, many viewers considered the choice of an actor for the role of a cruel seducer unsuccessful. Indeed, unlike the characters of other adaptations of War and Peace, in the 2016 version, Anatole is inferior in attractiveness to Andrei, so it is unclear how charming Natasha can prefer the red-faced and lop-eared hero Turner to the more handsome and courageous Andrei.
Jim Broadbent
Talking about the actors and roles in War and Peace (2016), one cannot fail to mention this Oscar winner, whose career began 40 years ago. Broadbent's full list of roles is hard to list. Among them are many works in films that have received the highest awards in the field of cinema and recognition of the audience.
In the film adaptation of War and Peace, he played the role of the old Prince Bolkonsky, who is a home tyrant and at the same time ardently loves his son and daughter. Moreover, any manifestations of tenderness are given to him with great difficulty, and he tries to hide his feelings behind the mask of a cruel egoist.
Gillian anderson
Gillian Anderson is perhaps the most famous actor in the film War and Peace (2016). Both the roles and the awards she received allow us to consider the performer the main role in the cult series of the 90s "The X-Files" as a real star. In War and Peace, Anderson played the role of the main gossip and procurer of St. Petersburg Anna Pavlovna Scherer. Although in the novel this high-profile lady was assigned only a secondary role, in his new film adaptation she became one of the main characters.
According to Anderson, she heard only negative reviews about Tolstoy’s work. True, most of them primarily concerned the impressive size of the epic. When Gillian read all 4 volumes of War and Peace, she was pleasantly surprised, as the book seemed incredibly exciting and interesting to her.
Now you know the actors of War and Peace (2016, USA, UK). The merits and demerits of the film can be argued. However, one thing is certain - he drew the attention of the British to Russian culture and made the latest editions of Tolstoy’s novel the most sought-after offer in bookstores in London and other cities in England.