About War and Peace Part IV: Pierre Bezukhov

Part four in the great cinematic tetralogy based on Leo Tolstoy’s epic novel, "War and Peace Part IV: Pierre Bezukhov" was released in 1966. The final installment brilliantly ties up the personal and political strands of the iconic story, following the character Pierre Bezukhov through his experiences of war, and his personal journey from confusion to a newfound sense of purpose.

Making / Production

The film is directed by Sergei Bondarchuk, who also played Pierre Bezukhov. Shot in the then Soviet Union, it involved the efforts of over a hundred thousand extras in the execution of the film’s grand and detailed battle scenes. The gigantic scale of the production and its intricate nature helped solidify the series as one of the grandest efforts in cinema history.

Actors

• Sergei Bondarchuk as Pierre Bezukhov: The director himself played the lead role of Pierre, conveying the character's intellectual curiosity and search for meaning with mesmerizing authenticity.
• Vyacheslav Tikhonov as Prince Andrei Bolkonsky: Tikhonov played a man of principle and honor, allowing audiences to see the cost of war through his eyes.
• Ludmila Savelyeva as Natasha Rostova: Savelyeva delivered a moving performance as the charming and passionate Natasha.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film took seven years to make, employing more than a hundred thousand extras, thirty thousand soldiers, and thousands of horses.
• Bondarchuk suffered two heart attacks during the filming of the lengthy and complex series.
• The movie is one of the most expensive movies ever made, adjusted for inflation.

Quotes

• "What is the force that makes us live? Love."
• "Sometimes it's not how it seems."
• "How happy I am to live, to suffer, to desire."

Music, Soundtrack

• The score for "War and Peace" was composed by Vyacheslav Ovchinnikov. His music complemented the epic nature of the film, ranging from tender to triumphant.
• The soundtrack includes Russian folk music and military marches, further enveloping viewers in the time period and setting.