How was the shooting of the film "War and Peace"

• How was the shooting of the film "War and Peace"

A little more than half a century ago in the Soviet cinema screens out the first part of the film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's novel "War and Peace". This film, directed by Sergei Bondarchuk, has become one of the most expensive in the Soviet cinema. His shooting took 6 years, and the scene of the battle of Borodino landmark is considered to be the most ambitious in the history of world cinema. "War and Peace" highly praised by critics and, among other awards, the film won the award "Oscar".

Long before the start of filming has been done huge preparatory work. To recreate the atmosphere of the time, 50 museums throughout the USSR lent their exhibits for the filming. About 40 factories have received special orders for the manufacture of costumes, accessories, furniture, carts, relevant historical period. Lomonosov Porcelain Factory reproduced a replica of a huge dinner set of the XVIII century.

Sergei Bondarchuk on the set.

Work on the film can hardly be called easy. Directed by Sergei Bondarchuk was extremely demanding, not only in relation to itself, but also to all members of the crew. Such pressure did not survive the second director and leading operators. They left the project. Bondarchuk also brought himself to such exhaustion that in July 1964 he had a heart attack. For a few months shooting had stopped.

Ludmila Saveliev in the role of Natasha Rostova.

Casting proved to be no easy task. On the role of Natasha auditioned many actresses, but the role went to a little-known graduate of the Leningrad Choreographic School Lyudmila Savelevoj. She happened to be in the samples, the film crew, it seemed quite featureless. To Lyudmila Savelyev did not fall in spirit, Bondarchuk suggested she read a passage from the role of the sheet. She bustled about, swallowed words, but something made the director to ask her the next day and go through the scene again with the already unlearned text. When Savelyev again appeared before the director, it seemed to have changed - before Bondarchuk was exactly "the same" Natasha Rostov, he was looking for.

Vyacheslav Tikhonov as Andrei Bolkonsky in the movie "War and Peace".

In the role of director Andrei Bolkonsky only saw Innocent Smoktunovsky, then he chose the role of Hamlet, and refused. Vyacheslav Tikhonov Sergei Bondarchuk considered too "star" actor, but his candidacy personally insisted Culture Minister Catherine Furtseva. Tikhonov coped brilliantly with the role.

Image Pierre Pierre by Sergei Bondarchuk was flawless. However, for the director it was a necessary part, t. To. He was unable to find a suitable candidate for this role. Bondarchuk had to recover 10 kilos to fit the image.

Sergei Bondarchuk as Pierre Bezukhov.

set, which played the Battle of Borodino.

battle scenes were the most exciting. 15,000 infantry and 950 cavalry - an incredible number of people were involved in the major battle scene "Borodino". To show the scale of the action, be filmed from a helicopter at an altitude of 300 meters. On the "battlefield" was used 23 tons of explosives, 15,000 hand smoke grenades, 40 thousand liters of kerosene. Despite the incredible roar and seeming chaos, no one was hurt.

The scene of the battle of Borodino.

An incredibly touching scene turned out the first ball of Natasha. The operator had to wear roller skates, to be able to maneuver among the waltzing couples. Over time, this trick would adopt many other operators.