In Saint Petersburg in June 1805, a middle-aged spinster named Anna Pavlovna Scherer welcomes Prince Vasili to a party at her house. They discuss Napoleon’s planned invasion of Russia. Anna despises Napoleon and fears that he will destroy Russia. The conversation moves along to Vasili’s wayward young son, Anatole. One of the guests set to arrive at the party is Prince Andrei, a military-minded young aristocrat who will soon depart for the war with Napoleon. Vasili suggests that Anatole would make a fine husband for Andrei’s wealthy sister Princess Marya Bolkonsky and asks Anna to arrange the marriage.

Anna is a consummate, charming host. She chats effortlessly with Andrei’s wife Lisa, sister-in-law of Marya. Now married and heavily pregnant, Lisa was once the most sought-after young woman in Saint Petersburg. Her flirtatious personality flatters the men at the party, though her husband Andrei can hardly hide his boredom. A shy, thoughtful, and awkwardly overweight young aristocrat named Pierre Bezukhov, the illegitimate son of Count Kirill Bezukhov, arrives. Anna’s party is his first appearance in Saint Petersburg’s high society since returning from his education abroad. His improper manners make Anna nervous as she expertly entertains her important guests.