War and Peace

I was really upset about the way the first part of the title was handled in the screenplay due to the budget. Practically all key battles took place off-screen. However, I liked how the romantic drama was executed. Paul Dano gave a brilliant performance in my view. The only problem was that he didn’t feel like an authentic Russian character. Anyway, I liked the series as a whole, but the creators could have put more effort into the details. (29.01.2019)

I approached the first episode with some apprehension, unsure if the casting would feel authentically "Russian." But I was thoroughly satisfied. The actors' appearances didn't bother me at all, and Paul Dano's look was spot-on. I could totally see the typical Russian aristocracy of that era. I enjoyed the storyline and never felt bored, so I'm hoping this enjoyment lasts until the end. (27.01.2019)

There’s a lot more peace than war, but the scheming, manipulation, and deceit keep it far from boring. Plus, the casting of Tuppence Middleton as Helene was a great move; she nails that role. I did miss a more vivid depiction of the Battle of Austerlitz compared to Tolstoy's original, but oh well. (28.01.2019)

I'm still happy with the casting. However, the show doesn’t quite capture the Russian atmosphere. Russians have always been a bit more temperamental than the British, and the creators didn’t quite nail that vibe. Still, I’m enjoying the adaptation overall. (28.01.2019)

The difference between the Russian and British perspectives is really evident here. The wolf hunt was portrayed like a typical British foxhunt. When I think about how the same event was depicted in the movie Peculiarities of the National Hunt (through the eyes of the Finnish character Haapasalo), it's like night and day. (28.01.2019)

The creators have been doing a great job with the romantic storylines, and under different circumstances, I’d give them four stars for their efforts. However, Episode 5 was supposed to feature the Battle of Borodino. It didn't, and that's the problem. I could overlook the foggy depiction of Austerlitz, but giving such a brief treatment to one of the most important battles in Russian history really disappointed me. (29.01.2019)

In my previous review, I complained about the near-absence of the Battle of Borodino, and now, in the final episode, I was a bit let down by the depiction of the Moscow fire. Sure, the blaze lit up the horizon nicely and the billowing smoke blocked out the sun, but on the streets of Moscow, it was a different story. There were just small patches of fire here and there, occasionally someone carrying a child out of a burning house, but overall, it felt pretty tame. At least the winter retreat was well-executed and kept me interested. (29.01.2019)