Last Sunday BBC One gave us the first glimpse of its epic six part drama WAR & PEACE, adapted from the Tolstoy classic, from director Tom Harper and writer Andrew Davis. We were introduced to five Russian aristocrat families who’s lives, loves and dramas all intertwine to create a dramatic and entertaining saga.
This week’s episode has moved on from initial introductions and we begin to see the cracks and corruption of the interlinked families as the war against Napoleon continues. Much of this episode’s main narrative revolves around the attempted merging of the Kuragin’s and the Bolkonsky’s as one half of the incestuous Kuragin sibling duo, Anatole (Callum Turner), attempts to woo wallflower Marya Bolkonskaya (Jessie Buckley). Hoping to please his father, Anatole does his best to mask his scoundrel nature in order to sweet talk the dear girl. However his wandering hands dashes any hopes of this, leading to a very disappointed Prince Kuragin.
Jim Broadbent stands out within the episode, giving a marvelous performance as the slightly blundering and cripplingly emotionally awkward Prince Bolkonsky as he witnesses his daughter’s attempted proposal. He gives an exceptionally sweet performance, giving some welcome tenderness, despite his brash immediacies, among the scheming of the Russian families.
The imagery throughout the episode continues to be an example of visual excellence. Such care and clear passion has gone into making the series look outstandingly beautiful. The battlefields continue to be utterly mesmerizing, that deadly blanket of silver mist curling around the bloody violence like a vice; complemented further by the wonderfully saturated greens of the grass, the splashes of fresh blood and the explosions of gritty earth in the midst of battle.
This beauty is followed up by stark closeups of the casualties of war. Bludgeoned skulls, dismembered limbs and protruding weaponry; reminding us that the romanticism of War is not their aim, there is real devastation to be found, families to be lost and lives to be taken. Andrei (James Norton) first appears to be such a casualty of war but his lust for a death of glory is snatched from him, just in time for the birth of his son; a devastatingly conflicting event for the Prince.
Back in Moscow Pierre finds married life slightly different than expected, his wife’s indifference to his affections leaving him reeling. Tuppence Middleton plays Helene so very well. Immediately we’re able to see more depth in her character, the manipulation and deception playing more of a part to her’s and Pierre’s story.
The arrival of Pierre’s friend, Fredya Dolokhov (Tom Burke), only furthers their issues as glimpses of Pierre’s slightly hedonistic pre-marriage life blends with Helene’s promiscuity, leaving a bitter taste in everyone’s mouth. The final moments of this episode see their conflict peak as Pierre challenges his scandalous friend. What does that include? We’re not entirely sure, but we can assume it will involve great drama and entertainment.
The cinematography, set design and costume continues to excel, particularly the beautiful costume at the very start of the episode when Pierre and Helene marry. The delicate lace of Helene’s wedding dress represented the epitome of wealth and luxury and it’s within these details that Harper continues to create this wonderful world of atmospheric brilliance.
Perhaps, yes, it’s still a little difficult to really keep up with exactly who belongs to which family, especially considering the casual incest and sexual promiscuity, but it’s within the episodes final drama that we can expect some more direct narrative drive. This second episode really does promise more drama to come, a welcome premonition for the rest of the series.
Verdict
WAR AND PEACE will continue on BBC One on Sunday’s at 9pm.
Thank you Ellie … I haven’t yet watched the 2nd episode though your review will certainly help as I must admit that I have become confused with ‘who belongs to which family’ already!!!!! Beautifully and concisely written.
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