BBC/Weinstein Co ‘War And Peace’ Mini Adds Gillian Anderson, Jim Broadbent

Deadline Hollywood ^ | February 24, 2015 | Nancy Tartaglione

[C19fan]

Principal photography has started on the six-part adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s classic War And Peace which is being made by BBC Cymru Wales in partnership with The Weinstein Company and BBC Worldwide/Lookout Point. Paul Dano, Lily James and James Norton are already aboard to star, with new additions to the cast including Jim Broadbent, Gillian Anderson, Brian Cox and Ken Stott. The epic drama is written by House Of Cards and Bridget Jones‘ Andrew Davies. Anderson was nominated for a Golden Globe for her turn in his 2007 adaptation of Dickens’ Bleak House.

[C19fan]

Nothing can beat the Bondarchuk version greatly aided by the ability of the Soviet Union to utilize tens of thousands of Red Army soldiers as extras. I watched a 2007 mini-series produced by several European companies. The problem was they tried for a Pan-European cast so the dialogue in English was not too great. This screen play for this upcoming one was written by the excellent Andrew Davies is filming in Russia and the Baltic states. Hopefully the turmoil over there will not cause problems.

[GeronL]

I can only imagine how they will gay it up and add leftwing ideas to it.

Gillian Anderson might be good but do not let her try an American accent (they did that in a show called “Selfie” and yes it bombed badly, leave her Scottish alone.

[C19fan]

The screen play writer has made his name in period pieces, many I have watched, and he pretty faithful to the source material. When it comes to putting these literary classics on screen there is nobody better than him.

[SilvieWaldorfMD]

Gillian Anderson was the person “Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes was thinking of when he created the character of Cora, the American wife of the Lord of Grantham. Gillian declined, and the role went to Elizabeth McGovern instead. I bet you Gillian kicks herself a million times for having said “No”...

[what's up]

Gillian Anderson is bisexual; she will probably gay it up.

[Jim from C-Town]

There have been several versions. The Hepburn version is the only one I have seen. I understand that the BBC did another one in the seventies with Anthony Hopkins. and it is supposed to be great.

The idea of a mini-series is really the way to go. Weinstein for all his Leftist clap trap is a great film producer and I would be interested in seeing this.

[Jim from C-Town]

Bi-sexual isn’t a thing.Just your garden variety pervert. Sleep with anything.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***Nothing can beat the Bondarchuk version***

I agree! The RUSSIAN CINEMA COUNCIL release is great! The cut for TV, faded color release from KULTUR is not, although the subtitles from KULTUR are sometimes better.

Forget the Henry Fonda version of the 1950s. It is like a “Cliff’s Notes” version. Example: The battle of Borodino is about 10 minutes in the Henry Fonda version. In the Bondarchuk version it is well over 45 minutes.

If you like the Bondarchuk version you will love his version of WATERLOO with Rod Steiger and Christopher Plumber!

Note to purists: If you look closely at the Battle of Borodino you will see a few soldiers in the background armed with bolt action Mosin Nagant rifles.

[GeronL]

well, she did get to play Doctor Who’s sidekick for a while

[katana]

being made by BBC Cymru Wales

Guess it will be "broadcast on all known frequencies, and in all known languages including Welsh". Not sure why that line from Red Dwarf makes me laugh but it always does.

[Jack Hammer]

The Bondarchuk battle scenes will never be surpassed, due to the availability of the Red Army.

Hopefully, this version will at least have top-flight actors and actresses and nice sets.

At any rate, it will almost certainly be worth a look, unless it’s an utter turkey.