War & Peace (TV Series)

An Epilogue (1973)

Anthony Hopkins: Pierre Bezukhov

Quotes 

• Pierre Bezukhov : Russia cannot, must not, and will not, stand still.

  Nikolai Rostov : I would have thought we'd had enough action in the last few years to last us a lifetime. It's much better to leave things as they are.

  Pierre Bezukhov : Things won't stay as they are, Nikolai, whether we want them to or not. If men like us do nothing about it, our men with fewer scruples will take over the government and the reins for themselves, believe me.

• Pierre Bezukhov : You see, for Nikolai, talk is an amusement, whereas for me, it's a... it's a preparation for action.

• Pierre Bezukhov : I couldn't live in the country. I don't know how Nikolai stands it. I suppose I miss the ferment of new ideas.

  Natasha Rostova : Nikolai's a born conservative. He hates new ideas.

• Pierre Bezukhov : Nikolai doesn't like to talk of change. He wants things settled, and I understand that. I sympathize with it, and, uh... But change is sweeping through Europe. What, are we to shelter Russia behind walls and forever remain somewhere in the Middle Ages?