The 1972 miniseries adaptation of War and Peace by The BBC. It was released in 20 episodes from 30 September 1972 to 8 February 1973.
The series, like the novel before it, begins in 1805 Russia. It stars Anthony Hopkins as Pierre Bezukhov, who unexpectedly inherits his father's fortune and becomes one of Russia's richest men; Alan Dobie as his best friend Andrei Bolkonsky, a nobleman who pontificates about his purpose in life; and Morag Hood as Natasha Rostova, the naive and romantic youngest daughter of Count Rostov. As Napoleon moves towards Russia, the lives of these three people and their circles intersect more and more.
The BBC would release another miniseries adaptation of the book in 2016.
Tropes:
- Adaptational Late Appearance: Andrei, who is introduced in the first chapter of the book, has his appearance delayed until Episode 2.
- Bait-and-Switch: The final episode comes to 1820 with Nikolai coming home. He sees Sonya looking after the children. It seems the two finally got together. However, a flashback reveals who Nikolai truly married. Return to the present, a pregnant Marya appears to her husband.
- Call-Back: The series' focus on the Franco-Russian War began at the Palace Ballroom in Vilna (when Alexander I received word of the French Army crossing the border). It ends at the same Ballroom (as Alexander I relieves General Kutuzov of Generalship of the Russian Army once the French have left the border).
- Calling the Old Man Out: Actually, the Old Woman. Natasha does this to her mother twice. One, for selfishly refusing to use their wagons to carry the wounded soldiers at the sacrifice of their furniture and possessions. Two, for keeping secret the fact that Andrei is among the wounded with them (so it will not cause a reconciliation that will hinder Nikolai's financially lucrative courtship with Marya).
- Cassandra Truth: French Minister Joseph Fouche tries to persuade Napoleon not to invade Russia. In vain. Winter hits Napoleon's forces and they beat a hasty retreat.
- Gilligan Cut: Slightly delayed. Pierre swears by his word to Andrei that he will not attend Anatole's wild party. Cut to Anatole's party. Guess who soon arrives?
- Killed Offscreen: Hélène and Anatole's deaths are mentioned but not seen.
- The Klutz: Pierre has several moments of clumsiness. Countess Rostov amusingly notes that whenever Pierre visits, he will knock into a table in the hall.
- Match Cut: Alexander I is having a ball in a Vilna Palace when he gets word that Napoleon has crossed the Russian Border. An overhead shot of the bright Ballroom- full of dancing partygoers- dissolves into an empty, darkened room a day later, visited by Napoleon.
- Nostalgia Filter: In the final episode, Old Countess Rostov laments about the good old days before Napoleon changed/ruined everything.
- Oh, Crap!: Anatole's reaction when Pierre confronts him over his affair with Natasha.
- Peaceful in Death: The dead at Borodino- Russian and French- all have a calm expression.
- Voiceover Letter: Focused on Pierre. Most memorably as the war-traumatized Pierre attempts to read a letter from Hélène. Her words repeat several times due to Pierre's inability to concentrate.
- What Have We Ear?: Rostov servant Mitenka gives Petya a sweet by pulling it from his ear.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Sonya does this to Natasha. She was forced to sacrifice her engagement with Nikolai so he can marry Marya Bolkonksky, which would not have happened if Natasha had married Andrei Bolkonsky instead of ruining things by her affair with Anatole.
