In 1805 Russia is at war with France though idealist Pierre Bezukhov, illegitimate son of a wealthy count, expresses admiration for Napoleon, a view not widely held in St Petersburg whilst Pierre's friend Andrei Bolkonsky, tired of high society and marriage to the pregnant Lise, decides to enlist and fight the French. After carousing with Anatole, unruly son of austere Prince Vassily Kuragin, Pierre travels to Moscow, calling on the Rostov family, whose daughter Natasha encourages romance between cousin Sonya and brother Nikolai, before visiting his dying father. Pierre is left everything, to the annoyance of another heir, Vassily, whose gold-digging daughter Helene snares Pierre into marriage. Meanwhile Andrei joins General Kutuzov in Austria, where their army is defeated by the French and Nikolai is captured. Written by don @ minifie-1

Pierre marries Helene but soon realizes that she is an unloving and mercenary wife, cuckolding him with Dolokhov, whom he challenges to a duel. The scheming Vassily also engineers a union between his son Anatole and Andrei's unworldly sister Marya. The Russian army holds off the French for a while with Nikolai being able to return to his family but another encounter leaves Andrei badly wounded. He is able to get home in time to see Lise give birth to their child but it is not a happy event. Written by don @ minifie-1

A nervous Pierre nonetheless defeats Dolokhov in a duel and maintains his show marriage with Helene, who is now having an affair with Boris Drubetskoi. A meeting with Osip Bazdeev encourages him to join the Freemasons and to improve the welfare of his serfs. Dolokhov recuperates with the Rostovs, winning huge sums at cards from the foolish Nikolai and proposing to Sonya, who turns him down, confessing her love for Nikolai, who cannot respond. Natasha also rejects a proposal from her brother's friend Denisov but when Pierre introduces her to Andrei, who has quit the army and been living a reclusive life to punish himself for neglecting his late wife, both she and Andrei are mutually smitten. Written by don @ minifie-1

Andrei's curmudgeonly father orders him to travel for a year to test his feelings for Natasha, which she initially accepts. Six months later Nikolai shocks his parents by declaring his love for Sonya, whom he hopes to marry, rather than the heiress Julie Karagina, the parents' choice. Ironically, Boris, still having sex with Helene, shows an interest in Julie as a wife whilst his mother desires a financially advantageous marriage to Andrei's sister Marya. After an awkward meeting with Andrei's family Natasha feels that they do not like her and is thus vulnerable when Helene introduces her to the amorous Anatole, with whom she is about to elope until Pierre steps in and informs her that he already has a wife in Poland. Natasha is devastated but Andrei is on his way back to Moscow and still in love with her. Written by don @ minifie-1

Hearing of Natasha's near elopement Andrei leaves Moscow, breaking off the engagement despite Pierre 's efforts to intervene, but larger forces are at work as Bonaparte breaks the treaty and invades Russia again, dismissing the tsar's envoy, Boris's request for peace. A mass exodus results with Andrei's father dying in the process though Nikolai is declared a hero after helping Marya's household to escape. Whilst Helene contemplates divorce Pierre travels to Borodino where he is reconciled with Dolokhov though Andrei still refuses to get back with Natasha. A fierce battle ensues with the Russians suffering heavy losses and needing to retreat. A severely wounded Andrei finds himself lying on a table in the medical tent next to Anatole Kuragin, whose leg needs to be amputated. Written by don @ minifie-1

As the French armies approach Moscow there is panic in the streets and the Rostovs join the exodus from the city. Pierre, believing he can kill Napoleon, remains and after an act of reckless heroism is taken prisoner with many others, including the perpetually optimistic Platon Karataev, who gives him a new outlook on life. Pierre is rescued by a Russian raiding party led by Dolokhov though Natasha's brother Petya dies in the fight and the French, defeated by the harsh winter, ultimately retreat. Meanwhile Natasha is reunited with the severely wounded Andrei and stays with him until the end. There is further bad news for the Rostovs, forcing Sonya and Nikolai to make decisions though Pierre finds himself released from his marriage and free to make another proposal. Written by don @ minifie-1