Movie info
| Languages: | English, Italian, Russian |
| Filming dates: | July 1955 - October 1955 |
| Budget: | USD 6,000,000 |
| Plot: | At the beginning of the 19th century, Napoleon's forces controlled much of Europe. In Russia, one of the few countries still unconquered, the army prepares to face Napoleon's troops in Austria. Among the soldiers are Nicholas Rostov and Prince Andrei Bolkonsky. Pierre Bezukhov, a friend of Andrei's and self-styled intellectual who "knows what's right but still does wrong," is not interested in fighting. Pierre's life changes when his father dies, leaving him a vast inheritance. He is attracted to Natasha Rostov, Nicholas's sister, but gives in to baser desires and marries the shallow, materialistic Princess Helene. The marriage quickly ends when Pierre discovers his wife's true nature. Andrei is captured and later released by the French, and returns home only to watch his wife die in childbirth. During a visit to the country months later, Pierre and Andrei meet again. Andrei sees Natasha and falls in love, but his father will only permit the marriage if they postpone it for one year. While Andrei is away in Poland on a military mission, Natasha is drawn to Anatole Kuragin, a scoundrel and libertine. Pierre tells Natasha of Anatole's past before she can elope with him. Napoleon invades Russia. Pierre visits Andrei on the eve of the battle, and observes the battle that follows. Traumatized by the carnage, he vows to kill Napoleon himself. |
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Original Soundtracks
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"Grande Valse Brillante" by Frédéric Chopin (Waltz n°1 in E flat major) "Die Rose von Nowgorod" Music by Nino Rota Lyrics by Wolfgang Schrauth and S.Krapp Sung by Zarah Leander "Les roses de Novgorod" Music by Nino Rota Lyrics by Nadine Laik Sung by Eva |
Goofs
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Continuity: In the first battle, Prince Andrei dismounts to take the flag of the shot soldier who is holding it. Then the wounded soldier kneels twice. Continuity: After the opera, when Anatole and Natasha meet, he approaches her from behind and puts his left hand on her shoulder. The next shot shows them a little way from each other. Continuity: When Natasha is sitting next the dying Prince Andrei's bed, she leans her both hands on her legs. In the next shot, when Kolya enters in the room, her right hand is on the top of the bed pole. DATE: Although the Battle of Austerlitz was fought in December, the trees seem to be in full summer bloom. |
Quotes
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Natasha Rostov: When I finally say I love you to any man and really mean it, it will be like a defeated general who's lost all his troops, surrendering and handing his sword to the enemy. Natasha Rostov: Did you notice he almost never smiles? While I was singing, I turned around suddenly and caught him looking at me and he was smiling then. And I felt - but it's almost impossible to describe - I felt as if someone had given me the most enormous, beautiful present. Natasha Rostov: Nicholas. Nicholas Rostov: Yes? Natasha Rostov: The expression on my face. Nicholas Rostov: What about it? Natasha Rostov: Do I look disdainful? Nicholas Rostov: No! Natasha Rostov: You're impossible! I'm sure I look disdainful. Nicholas Rostov: Well, what do you want to look disdainful for? Natasha Rostov: Well, I thought if I looked bored and disdainful nobody would notice that this is the first ball I've ever been to... How's this? Better? Nicholas Rostov: Oh, that's much better. Natasha Rostov: Good. Natasha Rostov: Nicholas. Nicholas Rostov: What now? Natasha Rostov: Is everybody looking at me? Nicholas Rostov: Well, can't you see for yourself? Natasha Rostov: Not without changing the expression on my face. Nicholas Rostov: Natasha, you know, there's one awful thing about you. Natasha Rostov: Tell it to me! Tell me the whole truth. Nicholas Rostov: No girl I'll ever meet will ever be able to amuse me as much as you do. Natasha Rostov: Shh... Don't talk like that. Pierre Bezukhov: I have sinned, Lord, but I have several excellent excuses. Pierre Bezukhov: You can't hate something you've never known or understood. Gen. Kutuzov: The only important battle is the last. Platon Karatsev: [explaining why a boy was executed] Where there's law, there's injustice. [to his dog] C'mon, boy, get up, get up! [to Pierre] But the maggot eats the cabbage - yet dies first. Pierre Bezukhov: What did you say? Platon Karatsev: I say things happen not as we plan them but as God judges. Pierre Bezukhov: There are only two things in life that are really wrong: remorse and illness. When I've recovered from them both, I'll go out in the world again. Pierre Bezukhov: [Before the Battle of Borodino] Such an enormous event! All our lives will be different from now on because of what is going to happen here tomorrow. Platon Karatsev: [about the camp followers of Napoleon's retreating army] Russian women! Pierre Bezukhov: They're the lice that live on the conquerors. They have to leave or die. Gen. Kutuzov: [about retreating from Moscow] Russia's ancient and sacred capitol? Allow me to tell you, Your Excellency, that that question has no meaning for a Russian! Such a question cannot be put! It's senseless! The question I've asked you and these gentlemen to meet and discuss is a military one! The question is of saving Russia! Is it better to give up Moscow without a battle or, by accepting battle, lose the army as well as Moscow? Well, gentlemen, I see I am the one who has to pay for the broken crockery. Gentlemen, I've heard your views. Some of you will not agree with me, but I , by the authority entrusted to me by my sovereign and my country... order a retreat. Gen. Kutuzov: [to himself] Time and patience. Patience and time. The Grand Army is wounded, but is it mortally wounded? An apple should not be plucked while it's green. Patience and time. Napoleon: I warn you, gentlemen; I cannot sit here much longer - watching my army decay! Napoleon: [Thinking to himself as he gazes through the window] Already the wild geese are flying south. What if we are trapped here through winter? Platon Karatsev: [to the French soldier who is about to execute him during the retreat] Are you afraid too, friend? Dolokhov: [about French prisoners] Take them away! You know what to do with them! [last lines] Natasha Rostov: [to Pierre] You're like this house. You suffer, you show your wounds, but you stand. Prince Bolkonsky: You're over thirty! By the time a man's over thirty, life should be sad, meaningless and hopeless! Pierre Bezukhov: [opens the bedroom drapes, while his spoiled wife sleeps on] Come on, Helene! We've got lots to do if we want to leave for the country. Helene Kuragina: [very sleepy] Oh Pierre, it's so early! [he kisses her, and she gets a crafty look on her face] Besides, it's so boring in the country. Pierre Bezukhov: [Seriously] I'm sorry, my dear, but I promised those peasants I'd come and see them. They need a new hospital, and a new school, and many other things besides. Helene Kuragina: [very spoiled] Well they can starve just as well without a school, and they can die just as well without a hospital! [catches herself, changes her tune] Pierre, why don't you go on without me? You can do what you have to do, and I'll come visit you in a few months time. [Slyly] You'll appreciate me so much more after a few months of sleeping alone. |
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