War and Peace

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US/Italy 1956, d King Vidor

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Such was Hepburn's appeal in the early part of her career that every A list director in Hollywood was clamouring to work with her. After Wilder and William Wyler came Fred Zinneman, who was planning an epic version of War and Peace with maverick producer Mike Todd. They wanted Hepburn for the key role of Natasha, only for their thunder - and leading lady - to be stolen by old school legend King Vidor and an even more ruthless producer, Dino De Laurentis. The Italian pulled off his casting masterstroke by signing up Hepburn's husband, Mel Ferrer, to play Andre. It was inconceivable that Hepburn would star in a competing Tolstoy adaptation, but she duly starred in the Vidor version. As ever, she won the director's enduring love and respect, and would present him with a lifetime achievement Oscar twenty two years after filming finished.