War and Peace's nude scenes backed by Sir Anthony Hopkins

It's been dubbed Phwoar And Peace by critics over its sex scenes and a plotline featuring an incestuous relationship barely hinted at in Tolstoy’s epic novel.

But the BBC’s new sexed-up version of War And Peace has surprisingly won the backing of Sir Anthony Hopkins, the man who starred in a far more strait-laced adaptation more than 40 years ago.

The veteran actor has even told critics to stop getting their ‘knickers in a twist’ over the nude scenes featuring Tuppence Middleton as beautiful and alluring socialite Helene Kuragina and Callum Turner as her brother Anatole.

Hopkins, 78, describes the new series as ‘excellent’ and is particular impressed by Paul Dano in the role of hapless but heroic Pierre Bezukhov – the part Hopkins played in 1972. 

‘It’s beautifully filmed and both the direction and the acting are superlative,’ declared Hopkins in an exclusive interview with The Mail on Sunday. ‘It’s a great cast. Lily James is perfect and so beautiful as Natasha, and Paul Dano is terrific.’

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His comments will be welcomed at the BBC as the adaptation continues to divide opinion. Even some of the current show’s six million fans have expressed concern that the series is too short at just six one-hour episodes. In contrast, Hopkins’s 1972 version spanned 20 episodes.

The actor said: ‘A lot is packed into each episode but the battle scenes are excellent and none of the essential story is lost.’ 

See the latest BBC updates on shows such as War and Peace 

The veteran actor has even told critics to stop getting their ‘knickers in a twist’ over the nude scenes. Above, the cast of War and Peace

Nor can he get hot under the collar over the decision by screenwriter Andrew Davies to introduce bedroom scenes.

‘Writers of screenplays have every freedom to write in what they want,’ said Hopkins. ‘The same with Shakespeare productions – they are open to interpretation.’

He added: ‘I don’t bother myself with all that huffing and puffing protest. It’s so unimportant. Everyone gets their knickers in a twist but life goes on.’

Sir Anthony as Pierre Bezuhov 1971 version of War and Peace

Watching the new version has even inspired the Welshman to read the novel again. ‘It’ll be my third read of it,’ he said.

‘It took me a lifetime to finish it the first time around. It’s a great book but a bit like being on the retreat from Moscow.’

Hopkins’s Pierre was acclaimed by the critics, but he confessed he didn’t think he was the best thing in it.

‘I didn’t have much to say in those days – I just learned the lines, I suppose, and hoped it would turn out OK,’ he said.

‘I remember thinking Alan Dobie, who played Prince Andrei, was remarkable. He was such a restrained actor. He was very good.

‘I thought I was a bit all over the place in it. I was in my early 30s and as an actor I was enjoying myself too much.’ But Hopkins, who has no plans to retire because he enjoys working so much, does not like to watch his own work these days.

‘I rarely look back and never see anything I’ve been involved in,’ he explained. ‘It seems pointless, something like trying to remember dreams – an exercise in futility.’

His new film Collide will be released in April, and later in the year he will be seen in the hotly awaited sci-fi drama Westworld. Last year, he starred in an acclaimed BBC adaptation of The Dresser alongside Sir Ian McKellen.

War And Peace continues on BBC1 tonight at 9pm.

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