As Russia prepares for war with France, Prince Andrei Bolkonsky is excited for life on the front line. Meanwhile his friend Pierre Bezukhov is called to his dying father's bedside.

Andrei returns home from war. Helene finds company in the arms of a Russian soldier. Pierre visits his old friend Andrei. Sparks fly when Andrei and Natasha meet for the first time.

While on a family trip to Moscow, Natasha begins to doubt Andrei's love for her; Pierre threatens Anatole; Andrei advises his father to leave for Moscow; Pierre tries to convince Andrei to make it work with Natasha.

Pierre gets a firsthand look at war; Andrei suffers an injury; Natasha opens her home to wounded soldiers; Pierre is captured by the French army; Helene is unable to hide her pregnancy; Denisov and Dolokhov rescue a band of prisoners.

Napoleon invades Russia and preparations begin for a great battle against him. Natasha falls ill and Pierre helps care for her, but Andrei finds he cannot forgive her.

Napoleon marches into Moscow and Pierre decides to stop him. As Natasha and her family flee their home city, they are shocked by an unexpected fellow traveller.