War and Peace, hit or miss ?

[twentysix by twentyfive]

I didn't watch it, so any comment from me would be entirely irrelevant.

What did Miss Goodbody think of it?

 

[Fnaar]

What did Miss Goodbody think of it?

She's fond of a Gay Hussar....

 

[rich p]

Now that we've seen the full series...
It just got better and better. The whole cast were magnificent but Paul Dano as Pierre was exceptional. Shame they crammed it all into 6 episodes so no possibility of a second series. Loved the learned correspondence in the Radio Times about bosoms.

I dozed off for the last 20 minutes; who won?

 

[Fab Foodie]

I too thought it got better & better as it went on. Episode one seemed rather stilted and pedestrian to me, weighed down by the need to introduce so many characters and get in the necessary scene-setting exposition, but once it got into its stride there was no stopping it. Terrific acting, great direction, and wonderful cinematography that really made the most of some stunning locations - internal and outdoors. Sunday night tv doesn't get much better.

I'm with you. I really enjoyed it.

I'd never would have read the book and am certain that there's a lot of detail missed to cram it all into 6 episodes. Several friends thought it wooden-acted and drawn-out, if you're living a diet of action movies I can see that. But I thought it conveyed something about the history and social politics of the time,I like the characters and how circumstances changed them. I thought it was beautifully shot and well played-out. For once it was something that was worth looking forward to on a Sunday Night. I'd never heard of Paul Dano before and thought him very good. Ade Edmondson was also an inspired choice.
The other thing is it inspired me to find out a bit more about Tolstoy and Russian History ....

So 5/5 for me - A hit!

 

[Fab Foodie]

It's more to do with Cossacks I think.

I'm sure I wore one of those when I was a Choirister .....

 

[Fab Foodie]

I dozed off for the last 20 minutes; who won?

Tchaikovsky - he got the rights to the music and sold millions ....

 

[Paulus]

I enjoyed it. agreed with other posts that the first episode was a bit slow but it did get better and better as the story unfolded.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Turgid. Did 30 min's of first episode and called it a day.

 

[swee'pea99]

Turgid. Did 30 min's of first episode and called it a day.

Have to say, I try to be tolerant when it comes to first episodes. Even the best series often take time to find their feet, what with all the basic introductions they need to do. Unless Ep 1's a real stinker I tend to give them the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Snizzlepops]

A lot of people I know watched it, but I never saw the first episode and never got a chance to catch up. I have already been told today by one friend to get on the bandwagon and give it a chance!

 

[midlife]

Turgid. Did 30 min's of first episode and called it a day.

You did well to last 30 minutes ...........

shaun

 

[summerdays]

I tried the first episode and didn't warm to it... but I carried on recording it, maybe it would be worth giving it a second go!

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Shame they crammed it all into 6 episodes so no possibility of a second series.

Mrs M watched it and said it had a happy ending, so there is plenty scope for another series; they could either finish it to reflect the non-happy ending or just make more stuff up. I doubt the majority of those watching will have been literary types and would soak up any old crap as long as there were buckles being swashed and bosoms being thrust.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Mrs M watched it and said it had a happy ending, so there is plenty scope for another series; they could either finish it to reflect the non-happy ending or just make more stuff up. I doubt the majority of those watching will have been literary types and would soak up any old crap as long as there were buckles being swashed and bosoms being thrust.

To be fair it was light on swashbuckle and thrusting bosoms which in some ways was part of the enjoyment. I think it at least had some pretension to being a bit literary though possibly long on visuals when more words could have been employed.

 

[Levo-Lon]

New X files on ch5 tonight..