Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (2022) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Prologue in Moscow

The story opens in Moscow, Russia, in 1812, with an introduction of all the characters and their relationships. Among them is Pierre Bezukhov, a depressed and unhappily married man who feels he is wasting his life. He is a close friend of Andrey Bolkonsky, who is away fighting in the war and is newly engaged to Natasha Rostova.

When

1812

Where

Moscow, Russia

Natasha Arrives in Moscow

Natasha Rostova and her cousin, Sonya Rostova, arrive in Moscow to stay with Natasha's godmother, Marya Dmitrievna. The two young women wait eagerly for Andrey to come home from the war. Natasha knows she will soon have to meet her future in-laws for the first time.

Where

Moscow, Russia

Disastrous Meeting with the Bolkonskys

Natasha is taken to meet Andrey's lonely sister, Mary Bolkonskaya, and his father, the old Prince Bolkonsky, who are trapped in a hateful co-existence. The meeting ends in disaster, as Natasha finds Mary cold, Mary finds Natasha vain, and Bolkonsky behaves bizarrely before dismissing her. Natasha leaves heartbroken, missing Andrey more than ever, and recalls the time they first met.

Where

The Bolkonsky House

Anatole Flirts with Natasha at the Opera

The next night, Natasha attends the opera with Sonya and Marya. There she catches the eye of Anatole Kuragin, Pierre's brother-in-law and a notorious rogue and womaniser. Anatole visits her box to flirt, leaving Natasha with feelings she has never experienced before.

When

The next night

Where

The Opera

Pierre Challenges Dolokhov to a Duel

Anatole arrives home after the opera and goes out drinking with his friend Fedya Dolokhov and Pierre, joined by Hélène Bezukhova, Pierre's unfaithful wife and Anatole's sister. Dolokhov taunts Pierre by raising a toast to 'married women and their lovers', prompting a drunk Pierre to challenge him to a duel. Pierre accidentally wounds Dolokhov, while Dolokhov, despite being a renowned crack shot, miraculously misses him. Before parting, Anatole, who is secretly married, asks Hélène to invite Natasha to a ball that evening.

When

That night

Pierre Reflects on His Life

Left alone after the duel, Pierre reflects on his near-death experience. Despite believing he has wasted his life, he realizes that he still wishes to live and to find love.

When

The day of the duel

Hélène Invites Natasha to the Ball

The next morning, as Natasha prepares for church, she is confused about her feelings for Anatole and fears that something may prevent her from being with Andrey. Later that day, Hélène visits Natasha, praises her beauty, and invites her to the ball that evening, which Natasha accepts. Privately, Hélène revels in the scandalous idea of her brother and Natasha getting together.

When

Sunday morning

Anatole Declares His Love at the Ball

At the ball, Anatole greets Natasha and the two dance together. Ignoring her protests that she is already engaged, Anatole professes his love and kisses her. Natasha falls in love with him in return.

When

That night

Where

The Ball

Sonya Discovers the Secret Letters

While Pierre begins studying in search of enlightenment, Natasha is torn between her feelings for Andrey and Anatole. Sonya discovers the letters between Natasha and Anatole and confronts her cousin, desperately explaining her distrust of Anatole. Natasha bursts out in anger at her and later writes to Mary to break off her engagement with Andrey. Alone, Sonya resolves to save Natasha, even if it costs her their friendship.

The Failed Elopement

That evening, Anatole and Dolokhov prepare for Anatole's elopement with Natasha, and Dolokhov's attempts to change Anatole's mind fail. Their troika driver, Balaga, arrives to take them to Natasha's house, where they will retrieve her before departing. However, the plot is thwarted at the last moment by Marya, who has discovered the plan. Natasha tearfully reaffirms her love for Anatole, still unaware that he is married, and waits all night for him.

When

That evening

Where

Natasha's House

Pierre Confronts Anatole

Marya calls on Pierre in the middle of the night, begging him to handle the crisis, and Pierre tells her that Anatole is already married. Outraged, Pierre searches Moscow for Anatole while Marya and Sonya tell a grief-stricken Natasha the truth. Pierre eventually finds Anatole at Hélène's house and, close to violence, orders him to leave Moscow and burn all his correspondence with Natasha. A terrified Anatole agrees, but not before squeezing travelling money out of Pierre.

When

Middle of the night

Where

Hélène's House

Natasha's Suicide Attempt

Devastated by the exposure of Anatole's deception and his disappearance, Natasha attempts to take her own life by poisoning herself with arsenic. She survives the attempt, but is left gravely ill.

Andrey Returns from War

Andrey returns home from the war and is disoriented by Natasha's refusal of his marriage proposal, which he asks Pierre about. Pierre explains the scandal and pleads with him to be compassionate, but Andrey is unable to forgive Natasha. He cold-heartedly tells Pierre that he will not ask for her hand in marriage again.

When

The next day

Pierre Comforts Natasha

Pierre visits the shattered Natasha, meeting her for the first time, and comforts her. During their conversation, he tells her that if he were the best man on Earth and were free, he would gladly marry her, giving her hope for the future.

The Great Comet of 1812

After his meeting with Natasha, Pierre experiences a moment of enlightenment as he watches the Great Comet of 1812 soar across the night sky. The celestial sight fills him with a renewed sense of meaning, hope, and the desire to live fully.

When

Night, 1812

Where

Moscow