War & Peace (1968) | Lyudmila Savelyeva, Vyacheslav Tikhonov | Monumental, Oustanding Film     DVDs:     War & Peace (1968)   War & Peace (1968) Lyudmila Savelyeva, Vyacheslav Tikhonov Continental Distributing, 2007 average customer review:based on 64 reviews view larger image  for more information click here        highly recommended This 3 DVD six-and-a-half-hour set features the 1968 film and brings all the passion and turbulence of Leo Tolstoy s epic masterpiece dramatically to the screen.The book was written in the nineteenth century and gives a graphic insight into Russian society at the time and is still considered to be one of the greatest novels ever written.This classic film directed by Sergei Bondarachuk is considered to be the most faithful to the original novel and with a combination of amazing large scale battle scenes and intimate character portrayals this film is many peoples favorite interpretation of Tolstoy s classic novel.The story follows the fortunes of the aristocratic Bolkonsky and Rostov families as Napoleon s armies sweep through Europe culminating in the French invasion of Russia in 1812. The evil effects of war are a significant theme and war forms the backdrop as it influences the lives of these families and their many associates.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA UPC: 823880021855 Manufacturer No: HURDV2185  for more information click here War and Peace-a unique cinematic experiment and experience! It has often been said that this film is "problematic", hard to experience, and even difficult to digest. But I have wondered how familiar are some of these critics with the experience of World Cinema. Limiting one's cinematic experience and standards to Hollywood's formulas will certainly not help in appreciating this unique experiment and monumental film adaptation of one of the most complex literary works ever written. Bondarchuk's War and Peace is not important for the amount of money invested in its creation, or for the casts of thousands employed in the re-creation of its complex drama.These concerns are cinematic TRIVIA for those limited to reduce the nature of things to numbers. In my view, Bondarchuk's re-creation of War and Peace will remain an important landmark in cinematic history because it treated its literary source with respect, inspiration and affection, and this shows throughout the film. To compare Hollywood's version with this one is like comparing a dinner at Chili's with a 8 course dinner at a fine French restaurant. There is simply no comparison. Bondarchuk's War and Peace version from 1968 is a cinematic experience not to be missed by those who consider cinema the 7th art. It works at different levels: internal dialogues from the complex and numerous characters are effectively blended with the outside world. Even the so-called 60s-style visual effects remain an interesting experiment, retaining their creative interest in today's era of computerized special effects. These visual techniques are a refreshing approach, working almost as literary devices. Far from being pure visual effects,they add something truly creative and emotional to the particular scenes where they are employed. Again, if one's familiarity with cinematic techniques is limited to Hollywood, the appreciation of this film is bound to be limited too. It is important to remember that Russian cinema has a long history of innovation and experimentation since the early 20s, with seminal directors like Eisenstein.And even today,Hollywood owns much to the creative genius of daring film-makers like Eisenstein.The fact that some of his techniques were created in the the style of the 20s, does not eliminate their intrinsic cinematic value.I will say as much for Bondarchuk's creations. Finally, if you love literature, and if you appreciate Tolstoy's greatest literary creation, you will capture the love and respect, clearly palpable in this monumental adaptation of his novel. Now that we have the chance to see the original, un-cut Russian version of this film on its 40th anniversary, I can only add that this is a special privilege, to be enjoyed slowly, like a good wine.Take your time, enjoy this film, and witness a great creation of the 7th art.  for more information click here Monumental, Oustanding Film If "War and Peace" is arguably the greatest novel ever written, this has to be one of the most outstanding films ever made. The grandeur, the scope, the almost unimaginable battle scenes, the thousands of soldiers and horses and cannons, the tender love scenes and most of all, the depth of the Russian soul which,in the end, was the victor over the invading Grand Armee of Napoleon. This six-hour masterpiece is stunning in its magnificence. The one I viewed had substitles, thus letting the Russian and occasional French dialog get through -- even though I couldn't understand a word. It just made the film all the more...Russian. A lot of the book was necessarily omitted, but on the whole, the film was a faithful reproduction of the essence of the book. Oh well, I could string superlatives all day but suffice it to say that this power of this wonderful film does justice to the greatness of the underlying novel.  for more information click here War and Peace (Special Edition) It is a masterpiece. The battle scenes are memorable. I watched this movie many years ago, on TV. It was worth watching it now on a big screen TV and from the Special Edition DVD. THE PHANTOM FIFTH DISK I just recieved and watched in one sitting the Special Edition of War and Peace. I first saw this film in 1968 at the Fine Arts Theatre in Los Angeles. It was shown in two parts in differant weeks. I went on the two days corresponding to the last day of Part One and the first day of Part Two. (This of course was the English dubbed version.)I was on leave from the Navy and later thatg year saw the film again in France in four parts. Each part dubbed in French with English Subtitles. I noted several reviewers commenting on no fifth disk. My sealed set is in the original Russian Package and inside is a extra disk in its own slip cover. This fifth disk is full of interesting bonus materials including a film on the making of War and Peace which is second to none. It is interesting to see the tricks needed to carry out such scenes as the buring of Moscow and the danger it posed to the camera crew. I have only one main regret on this edition. When you go to English language it is obvious the a complete English language sound track was unavailable. It takes some getting used to as at any moment, within a persons dialogue, you flip from dubbed English to Russian with English subtitles. This version is in four parts and each holds it own and the viewer can enjoy the total film over four nights. I fully enjoyed this film again and highly recommend it.  for more information click here War and Peace I bought this DVD for my husband who watched it years ago. He is an avid Napoleonic History lover and really liked the movie, the longer battle scenes. I watched it too, but thought it slow for someone not interested in this topic. The american version was enough for me. I still enjoyed it though. reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 products you might be interested in   search for DVDs 1968, peace      toavi.com    web randomly chosen kitchen: RediCheck Remote Cooking Thermometer