7-Hour Russian Version of WAR AND PEACE Screens in Four Installments This Weekend at Webster University

“On 12th June, 1812, the forces of western Europe crossed the frontiers of Russia and war began. In other words, an event took place that was contrary to all human reason and human nature.”

The 422-minute Russian version of WAR AND PEACE (1966) directed by
Sergei Bondarchuk screens in four installments at Webster University’s Moore Auditorium (470 E. Lockwood Ave., St. Louis, MO 63119 ). Part one is April 25, part April 26, part three April 27, and part four April 28. The films start each night at 7:30. A special punch-pass to all four parts can be purchased for $15 (tickets also available à la carte at their regular rates on a night-by-night basis)

In an attempt to show the Russian film industry to be as mighty as America’s during the Cold War years—and in the process to one-up King Vidor’s popular 1956 adaptation of the classic Leo Tolstoy text—the Russian film industry and the whole of the Russian government threw everything they had into Sergei Bondarchuk’s epic adaptation of War & Peace, with no concern regarding if the finished product might actually be profitable or not. Though Bondarchuk succeeded at this task (his War & Peace won the Oscar for best foreign-language film), the film has been difficult to see in the time since its initial release. The subject of a recent restoration, here you can see the priceless artifacts—gathered from Russia’s museums—used as props, the tens of thousands of extras, and the unprecedented amount of money and prestige thrown at the screen, with a clarity heretofore impossible.

In Russian, French and German with English subtitles.

Regular admission (for just one installment) is:

$7 for the general public
$6 for seniors, Webster alumni and students from other schools
$5 for Webster University staff and faculty

Free for Webster students with proper I.D.