The Forsyte Saga, Series 1

Starring:Damian Lewis, Rupert Graves, Gina McKee, Corin Redgrave, Ioan Gruffudd, Patrick Bridgman, Judy Campbell, Stuart Richman, Christian Coulson, Toby Hadoke, Graeme Hawley, Sarah Winman, Emily Canfor-Dumas, Jessica Fox, Jack Langham, Joanna David, Sarah Mennell, Barbara Flynn, Julian Ovenden, Martin Nigel Davey
Director: Christopher Menaul, Dave Moore
Studio: Acorn Media
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Granada Television's adaptation of The Forsyte Saga achieved the seemingly impossible in spring 2002, matching the BBC's 35-year-old black-and-white classic version with a richly cast and superbly directed take on John Galsworthy's first two novels. The success of these six 90-minute episodes proved that despite the current emphasis on miniseries and dramas developed around the hot actor of the moment, our appetite--and attention span--still craves ensemble pieces that are given space and time to develop. It also demonstrates that nothing generates television gold like a compelling family drama crammed with lust, rape, class conflict, and the insuperable power of money.

Amazon.com

Granada Television's adaptation of The Forsyte Saga achieved the seemingly impossible in spring 2002, matching the BBC's 35-year-old black-and-white classic version with a richly cast and superbly directed take on John Galsworthy's first two novels. The success of these six 90-minute episodes proved that despite the current emphasis on miniseries and dramas developed around the hot actor of the moment, our appetite--and attention span--still craves ensemble pieces that are given space and time to develop. It also demonstrates that nothing generates television gold like a compelling family drama crammed with lust, rape, class conflict, and the insuperable power of money.

The Forsyte Saga is nothing if not superior soap opera. It could all have gone horribly wrong, haunted by the specter of its BBC predecessor--a television legend for anyone over 40. Instead, it succeeds entirely on its own merits with scarcely a weak link--from Stephen Mallatratt's taut and fluid script to David Moore's carefully measured, seamless direction. Risks were taken to banish the old ghosts, particularly in the casting. Damian Lewis's repressed Soames and Gina McKee as his ill-matched bride, the enigmatic Irene, are inspired choices delivering complex portraits of unhappy, damaged human beings who deserve our sympathy. In a sea of marvelous cameos and splendid acting, the top honors go to Corin Redgrave and Rupert Graves for their hauntingly sensitive interpretations of old and young Jolyon, as well as to Amanda Root for her increasingly exasperated Winifred and Gillian Kearney for her sharply intelligent and worldly June. --Piers Ford

Customer Reviews:

If Fornication floats your boat!.......2007-05-25

The costumes and cinematography were well done. I just really have a hard time with movies that have Adultery as a main theme.

The Forsyte Saga, Series 1.......2007-05-18

Excellent series. Recommend viewing Series 1 and 2. My comments for Series 2 also applies to Series 1. A thought provoking series on the lives of individuals with different characters and the effects that their behavior has on the lives of others. This series also conveys how money has the ability to change circumstances for good as well as for evil.

We CANNOT turn this off!.......2007-02-04

My husband and I first got this from our public library without knowing anything about it. Within 30 minutes of the first DVD, we were glued to it. The acting is phenomenal, the sets and cinematography flawless, and the story completely riveting. Damien Lewis, who, my husband tells me, was fabulous in Band of Brothers, is amazing. He really proves his acting prowess in Forsyte and Band of Brothers, because 1) the characters couldn't be more different, and 2) he shows in BOB that can do an American accent perfectly (he was born in London). We watched the first DVD set pretty much without stopping, it was that compelling. Since our library didn't have season two, we got that from Netflix.

I cannot recommend this mini series enough. I would recommend watching it with subtitles; then you won't miss a word (those Brits tend to mumble occasionally!). Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. What a story -- and it's done AMAZINGLY! You won't want it to end.

Terrible DVD Quality - Frames Freeze Up Every Five Minutes.......2007-01-30

The DVD quality is terrible - I tried in another DVD player and it was the same thing. Do not buy!

Gorgeous production, outstanding acting.......2007-01-05

I'm sorry to read that so many viewers were disenchanted with the casting of Irene and Soames. I believe that McKee and Lewis did an outstanding job of bringing out the rich complexity of both characters, which is what the author most likely intended to illustrate. Both characters held a magnetizing balance of outer beauty and inner power - Soames with money and fortune and Irene with her independence and strong moral fiber. Outwardly, both actors are equally attractive on that count. Conventional beauty during the period of this story was much different than today's standards. Gina McKee is an English beauty whose face is full of character. Damian Lewis has a sort of dangerous appeal that goes beyond the surface. I also have to keep in mind that many of the most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes in the 19th century weren't dead-on symmetrical because of the tight gene pools from which their ancestors dipped. I much preferred to see these human characters to glossy perfection as it made the production so much more real for me. Overall, a riveting production and an excellent entree for young people who may just now be acquainting themselves with this period in history.

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