Comedians have often used the length of the classic novel, “WAR AND PEACE” as a tool for their jokes in the past, but filmmakers have taken the material seriously enough to make various versions over the years. 

One of the most interesting “attempts” was taken by director King Vidor and starred Henry Fonda and Audrey Hepburn.  At the time of the film’s release, studios were all clamoring to do “epics,” and the novel, “WAR AND PEACE” cries out “epic” in every way. It has many characters, all of them important, real-life events, big battles, love, unrequited love, and much more! 

King Vidor has demonstrated his abilities with numerous classics, including the criticized (but still great) “DUEL IN THE SUN,” as well as the silent masterpiece, “THE BIG PARADE.” Unfortunately, even with a gigantic budget(at the time) lavish period costumes, a wonderful production design, and great actors, “WAR AND PEACE” feels bloated from beginning-to-end. It’s not bad like “HEAVEN’S GATE,” but it’s just not very good, and considering the source material, it deserved to be better.

Being that Vidor’s “BIG PARADE” is a silent film that still holds up well due to his incredible skill at gripping the viewer with narrative images, it’s surprising to find so little of that in “WAR AND PEACE.”  The film offers little dramatic tension or action, instead, it relies entirely on dialogue to move the film forward. It may do so, but at a very sluggish pace.  Viewers feel every minute of the film’s 3 ½ hour running time.

PARAMOUNT has preserved the film’s 2.2:1 aspect ratio, with 16:9 enhancement. Surprisingly, the image isn’t as sharp as we’d expected it to be. Colors appear muted at times, and there are signs of the film’s age throughout, mostly due to dirt.  Contrast is only average, hindering the definition in darker scenes. Fleshtones appear natural. 

Even more disappointing, is the soundtrack.  PARAMOUNT has provided a monaural track with such limited fidelity, that it often calls attention to its limitations, especially during battle scenes.  The dialogue, however, is intelligible throughout. 

PARAMOUNT has included two trailers for the film.  One of them offers “behind-the-scenes” footage.