Guerre et paix II: Natacha

Adapting 'War and Peace' is no easy picnic, and it is not just the mammoth length we are talking about. The story is sprawling and with a lot going on with a lot of richly drawn events and characters, and when adapting there is the question of how to make it accessible and what to include while maintaining the complexity and spirit. It takes a little time to get into, but it is very powerful storytelling and the characters fascinate.

This adaptation from Sergei Bondarchuk is one of the best, evidenced already in this first part, alongside the 1972 mini-series. When it comes to flawed but towering achievements, this adaptation immediately fits that distinction, something that shouldn't be missed regardless of whether you speak or have knowledge of Russian or not. Part 1 was an excellent start with mind-blowing war scenes. Part 2 for the same and a couple of different reasons is every bit as excellent.

While the first part was more emotionally powerful, the second doesn't try to do as much and is more settled dramatically. Again, more bite would have been more welcome but not in a way that distracts too much, likewise with more tension.

It was great though to have more development to Natasha, easy to root for, here and the family drama elements are tighter and more settled, as well as handled with delicate heart.

On a visual level, 'War and Peace Part 2: Natasha Rostova' continues to stun. The scenery and period detail is spectacular and gives a sense of time and place far better than any other version of 'War and Peace' and the cinematography is inventive and enough to take the breath away. The real treat here in this part is the costumes, which are an elaborate wonder in the big ball set piece. The scope and spectacle is also enormous yet it is not done without soul, there is heart here. The music score is also a beauty and adds so much to the atmosphere.

Like Part 1 had the war sequences, Part 2 has one of the adaptation's finest moments. The ball is one of the visual standouts of the entire adaptation, breath-taking in its scope, beautifully choreographed and gorgeously romantic. The script is rich in detail, thoughtful and mostly true to Tolstoy's style, while there is so much recognisable material done with the right spirit. The characters are not caricatures and the drama is poignant and not soapy.

Vyacheslav Tikhonov and particularly luminous Lyudmila Saveleva both impress, and one does feel Andrei and Natasha's love.

Summing up, excellent. 9/10

Part 2 of 4 is light on the war, and heavier on the (relative) peace, focusing in on romance and melodrama. It's not as gripping as the first part, but in its own way it still works pretty well, with good visuals and mostly compelling performances to keep viewers engaged. And if it keeps the story building towards a more exciting final 2 parts, then I'm still on board.