War and Peace (1965–1967)

Sunday 31 May 2026, 11:00 – 19:20
Introduced by Depot Chair of Trustees, Robert Senior

Experience Sergei Bondarchuk’s Soviet-era epic on the big screen

At the height of the Cold War, the Soviet film industry set out to prove it could outdo Hollywood with a production that would dazzle the world: a titanic, awe-inspiring adaptation of Tolstoy’s classic tome in which the fates of three souls—the blundering, good-hearted Pierre; the heroically tragic Prince Andrei; and the radiant, tempestuous Natasha—collide amid the tumult of the Napoleonic Wars.

Employing a cast of thousands and an array of innovative camera techniques, director Sergei Bondarchuk conjures a sweeping vision of grand balls that glitter with rococo beauty and breathtaking battles that overwhelm with their expressionistic power.

As a statement of Soviet cinema’s might, War and Peace succeeded wildly, garnering the Academy Award for best foreign-language film and setting a new standard for epic moviemaking.

This astonishing cinematic accomplishment consists of four films – it will be screened at Depot in its entirety. The event will last 8 hours 30 minutes in total, including two 15 minute intermissions and a 45 minute lunch break.

You can preorder a meal of either Russian Salad or Borscht with Vegan Dumplings, which will be specially prepared for you to collect during the break.

Please note: tickets for the film must be purchased separately from food preorders. Food specials must be ordered ahead of time and will not be available to purchase on the day. The cut-off for ordering food is Tuesday 26 May. See below for booking details.

Film: War and Peace

Sunday 31 May 2026, 11:00 – 19:20 (including breaks)

Dir: Sergei Bondarchuk
Cast: Sergei Bondarchuk, Ludmila Savelyeva, Vyacheslav Tikhonov
422mins | 1966 | Soviet Union | Certificate: PG | Language: Russian | Subtitled

The fates of three souls—the blundering, good-hearted Pierre; the heroically tragic Prince Andrei; and the radiant, tempestuous Natasha—collide amid the tumult of the Napoleonic Wars.

If you would like information about the content of this film, including potentially triggering material, please CLICK HERE for guidance from the BBFC

War and Peace Running Order

Food Pre-order options

Russian Salad (vegetarian) – £10.50
Potato and egg salad with mayo, gherkin, dill, carrots & peas, green beans withza’atar, pickled red cabbage with sauerkraut, green lentil tabbouleh, mixed leaves & toasted Mamoosh pita (or gluten-free bread)

Borscht with Dumplings (vegetarian – vegan without soured cream) – £9.00
Red cabbage, beetroot, carrot, onion, potato, parsley and optional soured cream