War and Peace (BBC)

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

BBC's new adaptation of War and Peace starts this Sunday (Jan 3rd). Starring James Norton (Happy Valley), Lily James (Downton), Paul Dano, Jim Broadbent, Gillian Anderson, Stephen Rea and a whole heap of other people.

They filmed it entirely on location in Eastern Europe and it looks amazing. It spans about a decade, maybe more, of a spell history where Russia was constantly at war or about to go to war, and focuses on a few main characters and their struggles to just live in such a turbulent time.

I heard they were making this about a year or so ago and thought it sounded incredible. I read the book last year and was actually quite disappointed with the ending and found myself absolutely despising one of the main characters so my excitement for this adaptation has been dampened slightly. Still, it looks amazing, visually, if nothing else.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-BCmUeHE5c

Harry Palmr

Stephen McRea, Gillian Anderson? I'm in

JP Liz V1

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Stephen McRea, Gillian Anderson? I'm in

James Norton I'm in

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

I've just realised it's probably going to clash with the new Rebellion thing on RTÉ which also starts on Sunday night. Suppose that's what the catch up services are for.

JohnFalstaff

As always with the BBC it looks sumptuous, but I would have reservations about Andrew Davies' take on this screen version. In a recent interview he talks about how he added in incestuous sex scenes between Hélène and Anatole Kuragin that Tolstoy 'forgot'.

Now whether this was something he felt the screen adaptation needed, or whether it was at the behest of BBC execs, it does seem concocted to give Tolstoy's work a particular Game of Thrones flavour in order to attract viewers.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

JohnFalstaff wrote: »

As always with the BBC it looks sumptuous, but I would have reservations about Andrew Davies' take on this screen version. In a recent interview he talks about how he added in incestuous sex scenes between Hélène and Anatole Kuragin that Tolstoy 'forgot'.

Now whether this was something he felt the screen adaptation needed, or whether it was at the behest of BBC execs, it does seem concocted to give Tolstoy's work a particular Game of Thrones flavour in order to attract viewers.

I don't know. I thought it was heavily hinted at in the book, they've just decided to confirm it on TV. Neither character plays a huge role, him more so, but really it's of little consequence one way or the other.

JohnFalstaff

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I don't know. I thought it was heavily hinted at in the book, they've just decided to confirm it on TV. Neither character plays a huge role, him more so, but really it's of little consequence one way or the other.

That's sort of my point, they seem to be going out of their way to highlight this relationship, but maybe it is just to generate interest.

Either way I will still be interested in viewing the adaptation.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

JohnFalstaff wrote: »

That's sort of my point, they seem to be going out of their way to highlight this relationship, but maybe it is just to generate interest.

Either way I will still be interested in viewing the adaptation.

I found myself hoping if they were changing/adding things they'd change the ending too. Doubt it though.

brian_t

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Phwoar and Peace (BBC)

Fyp

JohnFalstaff wrote: »

That's sort of my point, they seem to be going out of their way to highlight this relationship, but maybe it is just to generate interest.

Technocentral

It's illegal to not cast Jim Broadbent in a historical drama.

Vic_08

JohnFalstaff wrote: »

As always with the BBC it looks sumptuous, but I would have reservations about Andrew Davies' take on this screen version. In a recent interview he talks about how he added in incestuous sex scenes between Hélène and Anatole Kuragin that Tolstoy 'forgot'.

Now whether this was something he felt the screen adaptation needed, or whether it was at the behest of BBC execs, it does seem concocted to give Tolstoy's work a particular Game of Thrones flavour in order to attract viewers.

I don't think it is fair to accuse them of copying GoT, Davies has been sexing up historical adaptations for a very long time now. Not saying that is particularly a bad thing, he is a very talented writer and his adaptations are always better than the average, sometimes better than the source material. However by far the best thing he ever produced was his self-penned 80's series A Very Peculiar Practice, absolute classic.

Heroditas

Technocentral wrote: »

It's illegal to not cast Jim Broadbent in a historical drama.

Don't worry. He's in one episode apparently!

The Rape of Lucretia

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I heard they were making this about a year or so ago and thought it sounded incredible.

BBC must still have high hopes for it, putting it out head to head with Rebellion. Bold move competing with a much closer to home the Russia serious drama exploring a major anniversary in British history.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

BBC must still have high hopes for it, putting it out head to head with Rebellion. Bold move competing with a much closer to home the Russia serious drama exploring a major anniversary in British history.

I assume you're being sarcastic there. Nobody in the UK gets RTÉ.

brian_t

If this series tweaks your interest in things Russian then you might be interested in Lucy Worsleys new series on Tsarist Russia.

Empire of the Tsars: Romanov Russia with Lucy Worsley starts on BBC 4 at 9pm on Wednesday 6th January

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

brian_t wrote: »

If this series tweaks your interest in things Russian then you might be interested in Lucy Worsleys new series on Tsarist Russia.

Empire of the Tsars: Romanov Russia with Lucy Worsley starts on BBC 4 at 9pm on Wednesday 6th January

Oooh. I love her programs.

Harry Palmr

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

BBC must still have high hopes for it, putting it out head to head with Rebellion. Bold move competing with a much closer to home the Russia serious drama exploring a major anniversary in British history.

Wha?

The Rape of Lucretia

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Wha?

Sorry, "than Russia".

lertsnim

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

BBC must still have high hopes for it, putting it out head to head with Rebellion. Bold move competing with a much closer to home the Russia serious drama exploring a major anniversary in British history.

I don't think the BBC really cares who is watching what here.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

lertsnim wrote: »

I don't think the BBC really cares who is watching what here.

They don't. It's why we got to watch The Fall a week or so before it aired on BBC and Mrs. Brown's Boys airs here first too. They pay no attention to Ireland.

razorblunt

I really dislike Paul Dano and his pursing of his lips he constantly does.
Unfortunately its a dislike that means I'll probably skip it.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

razorblunt wrote: »

I really dislike Paul Dano and his pursing of his lips he constantly does.
Unfortunately its a dislike that means I'll probably skip it.

I hated the character he plays when I read the book so that bodes well for me.

Harry Palmr

Poor Pierre! The sap!

I knew the battles scenes would be largely CGI muck but alas that doesn't make them any easier to watch.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Everyone I hated in the book were just as annoying on TV.
To be fair it's a difficult thing to adapt, there's something like 200 characters in the book and most of that first episode was trying to introduce them all.
Still... Pierre is such a gormless tool. Hate him most of all.

The Black Oil

Missed it. Is it being repeated?

eldude

I missed the 1st episode too , and it doesn't seem to be on catch up TV or youtube !!!anyone know where I can get it ???

lertsnim

eldude wrote: »

I missed the 1st episode too , and it doesn't seem to be on catch up TV or youtube !!!anyone know where I can get it ???

It's on the BBC iPlayer.

eldude

lertsnim wrote: »

It's on the BBC iPlayer.

Thanks lertsnim but BBC iPlayer isn't available in the Republic

Addle

Am loving this.
The romance of the last episode was great to watch.

I can't find it repeated anywhere unfortunately.

D9Male

It is very good TV. I think the actress playing Natasha is excellent. The set and the costumes are brilliant.

I read the book nearly 20 years ago, and was worried they would make a boll0cks of it. Mostly they have nailed it. Albeit Anatole doesn't covince.

trishasaffron

Heaving bosom drama......War & Peace by Jane Austen!!! Not a patch on the book or the Bondarchuk version.