FAMOUS Russian writer LeoTolstoy, having rejected his title of count and embraced an ascetic lifestyle, finds himself increasingly at odds with his wife, Sofya. As his devoted disciple, Vladimir Chertkov, urges the ageing author to sign a new will leaving

FAMOUS Russian writer LeoTolstoy, having rejected his title of count and embraced an ascetic lifestyle, finds himself increasingly at odds with his wife, Sofya.

As his devoted disciple, Vladimir Chertkov, urges the ageing author to sign a new will leaving the rights to his work to the Russian people rather than his family, the conflict between husband and wife grows to breaking point.

THE LAST STATION (15) is set during the last year of Tolstoy's life and stars Christopher Plummer as the writer, Helen Mirren as his wife, James McAvoy, Anne-Marie Duff and Paul Giamatti.

Plummer says: "I'm thrilled to be playing this role. I jumped at the chance. I have a history of playing real-life figures such as Rudyard Kipling and the Duke of Wellington, and I always love the challenge. I enjoy the research, and if they put enough make-up on, it does the work for you!"

What Christopher relished above all was bringing out Tolstoy's contradictory nature: "He's such a hypocrite. He says he'll free the peasants, while living the life of an aristocrat! He says he will help the tsar liberate the serfs, and yet still sits down at the dinner-table attended by servants!