'Outstanding' period drama based on 'masterpiece' book that fans can't stop watching

An period drama series based on an all-time-classic novel is hailed by fans as bringing a "great piece of literature to visual life". War and Peace (2016) is adapted from Leo Tolstoy's celebrated novel of the same name, which is widely regarded by scholars and prominent writers as a seminal work.

Like the book, six-part adaptation is in the Russian Empire during the Napoleonic Wars and follows the lives of three young aristocrats, best friends Pierre and Andrei (played by Paul Dano and James Norton) and Natasha (Lily James), the daughter of a kind-hearted nobleman. The trio "experience life, love and loss against the epic backdrop of Russia's wars with Napoleon", the BBC iPlayer synopsis reads.

One fan suggested the series lives up to the book's "literary masterpiece status" and lovers of the novel should simply appreciate what the series achieves, rather than focusing on tweaks to the story.

"From the acting, the directing, the production design, set design, costume design even makeup each component of a production that brings a great piece of literature to visual life was to done here perfectly," they wrote.

"The content evoked deep emotion and I commend everyone on such a lovely job. Everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion but I believe sometimes people get so caught up in what and how they think a book should be depicted they forget to become a little objective and just "feel" what is being portrayed.

"One might not have chosen the cast this production did, but that does not take away the talent that shined."

Another said the series had various "outstanding" elements, including Dano's performance, the "stunning" cinematography, the "poignant" score, and the costumes.

The episodes have 12 and 15 certificates and feature things like strong bloody injury detail, sexualised nudity, and an incestuous relationship, so may not be appropriate for everyone.

The series is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, with an 88% score on its Tomatometer (which reflects the percentage of approved critics who have given it a positive review).

It also has an 87% Popcornmeter score, reflecting a positive reception among general audiences.

War and Peace is streaming free on BBC iPlayer.