The 2016 BBC adaptation of War and Peace, based on Leo Tolstoy's 1869 novel, has been hailed as the "best BBC period drama" by critics and audiences alike. The eight-part series, written by Andrew Davies and directed by Tom Harper, features a stellar cast including Lily James, Paul Dano, James Norton, Jim Broadbent, and Gillian Anderson.
Critical Acclaim and Ratings
War and Peace holds an impressive 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critics' consensus stating: "War and Peace boasts sumptuous visuals and the narrative remains largely faithful to its sprawling source material, even if the pace may challenge less patient viewers and the period detail is slightly lacking." The Telegraph ranked it fifth in its list of the greatest television adaptations of all time, calling it "the greatest TV costume drama of the past decade."
Audience Reactions
One audience reviewer wrote: "Never has a TV show made me feel so deeply. An absolute masterpiece." Another added: "To me, one of the greatest television products I've ever seen. Simply beautiful to watch, great cast, great settings, I felt amazed and moved by the depth of the feelings shown by the actors. It's a must see!"
Plot and Setting
The series follows the intertwined lives of three young Russian aristocrats – Pierre Bezukhov (Paul Dano), Prince Andrei Bolkonsky (James Norton), and Natasha Rostova (Lily James) – against the backdrop of Napoleon's invasion of Russia. It explores themes of love, loss, war, and social life in 19th-century Russia.
Stylist Magazine Praise
Stylist magazine highlighted the drama as one of the BBC's best, noting: "In 2016, the BBC made War and Peace into an easily digestible, not to mention incredibly chic period drama, with a stellar cast of British talent to boot. Also, in the main role (and the one that steals the show, we might add) as Pierre Bezukhov, we have the brilliant American actor and director Dano."
War and Peace is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
