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The Complete Forsyte Saga [2003]


RRP: £29.99
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The Forsyte Saga or the Art of Letting Go
Review date: 2008-10-20 Rating: 10 out of 10

The 2002/2003 Forsyte Saga version of John Galsworthy's novels, starring Damian Lewis, Gina McKee, Amanda Root, Colin Redgrave and Rupert Graves, is a Granada and WGBH Boston co-production. Although, many would label the series a remake of the 1967 BBC version, it is not. This is a free adaptation of Galsworthy's three novels and two interludes (The Man of Property, Indian Summer of a Forsyte, In Chancery, Awakening and To Let). The saga chronicles the lives of an upper-middle-class British family, from the beginning of the 19th century to the 1930s. Directed by Andy Wilson, produced by David Boulter and Sita Williams and adapted by Kate Brooke and Phil Woods, the Forsyte saga is definitively a saga that shakes things up. In two discs and ten episodes, we will follow the story of Soames Forsyte (Damian Lewis) - a rich solicitor who pictures himself as the family's upholder of moral values - and other characters. Soames also has a genuine gift for always saying or doing the wrong thing, at the wrong time and to the wrong person. Which he does when he marries Irene Heron (Gina McKee - astonishingly beautiful). Unfortunately, it will take him almost the ten episodes to realize that. Meanwhile, we follow the busy lives of the other Forsytes, their ups and downs and the way they relate to the family's values (money, possessions, power), especially when confronted with those of no-property (Irene, young Jolyon, Bosinney, Jon and at times, the old Jolyon too). The interesting thing about this saga is the way it deals with its own subject matter. When we might expect a traditional costume drama, with one-dimensional characters, the saga is actually everything but predictable. In fact, the complexity of the characters - Soames being the most tortured and troubled one - is well-rendered in the visual style of the series, oscillating between long and close-up shots, between old fashion feels and boundary-cross scenes of intimacy. Nothing is completely what it seems, people often wear masks, yet underneath the facade they too experience passions, betrayals and violent impulses and got dragged into intrigues. There is a sense of modernity alongside the Victorianism, an outsider view of bourgeoisie, which gives away Galsworthy's own experience of playing both sides, so to speak. There have been rumours that Galsworthy put a lot of his own life into Soames and Irene characters, as a way of settling scores with his oppressive class, the way he had to live a painful double life with his beloved mistress Ada Nemesis Pearson Cooper, whom he would eventually marry, despite the family's disapproval. If anything, Galsworthy/Irene/young Jolyon are daring 'characters', jumping out of the cosy nest in the name of love. Of course, there is a terrible price to pay for that, but who said life ought to be easy and pleasant? Perhaps, this is why I enjoyed the 2002/2003 Forsyte Saga so much. While much of the story is about possessions, and all the silly things they make you do, I still can relate to these characters (especially Irene). Its language and concerns are modern enough to make you part of the story, to identify perhaps with some of the flawed characters. Shot almost entirely near Manchester, the Forsyte Saga is a delight for both the eye and the heart. The four disc box-set comprises the ten episodes, along with English and HOH English subtitles. There is an interactive menu for a total running time of 699 minutes. Lastly, a special treat with the main theme soundtrack interpreted by Bryn Terfel (Life is a Dance We Must Learn). I don't know for you folks, but at the end of the saga, I felt nothing but the pressing need of letting go things and enjoy just being here. Zen and all that...

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Reviews


Si graçieux et magnifique!!!!!
Review date: 2008-10-01 Rating: 10 out of 10

Mon anglais est si mauvais que je m'abstiens par égard pour tous d'en faire étalage!!! Ce commentaire surtout destiné aux personnes françaises qui comme moi adorent ces superbes sagas en langue anglaise pour leur grande et superbe qualité et qui une fois encore ne démentent pas leur réputation: c'est grandiose! Et contrairement à ce que je peux lire sur les quelques réserves autour de Gina McKee pour le rôle d'Irene, je la trouve personnellement d'une grâce infinie, simplement parce qu'elle épouse les traits mondains et libres des peintures de J.S Sargent ou de Boldini et qu'elle incarne là cette douce liberté qui a fondé la femme moderne. Dommage que nous n'ayons pas en France beaucoup d'acteurs d'une telle envergure. Seul bémol: pensez à nous avec un sous titrage en français!!!

The best period drama series since Pride & Prejudice
Review date: 2008-08-31 Rating: 10 out of 10

The Forsyte Saga is so much more than just a period drama- it encapsulates a bygone time in its sweeping satire of Victorian family life and class values.

The plot focuses on the two conflicting sides of the Forsyte family, the children of elderly brothers James and Jolyon. Firstly, we have the open-minded but principled Jolyon Jnr (Graves). Having married a woman he did not love, Jolyon finds himself falling for Helene Hilner, his young daughter June's governess. When he commits the then scandalous act of leaving his wife for Helene, Jolyon is cut off by his father, Jolyon Snr (a perfectly cast Corrin Redgrave), and the rest of the family. Jolyon sets out to make a living with his artistic talents while he and Helene have two children, Holly and Joly. Years pass, and Jolyon Snr, now June's guardian, comes to regret his estrangement with his son, and seeks to make amends.

The other focus of the plot is on James's son, Soames (Lewis). Soames, the strictly proper but repressed 'man of property' meets and falls in love with the captivating and free-thinking Irene Heron, an orphan whose materialistic stepmother virtually forces reluctant Irene (Gina McKee) into marriage with him. Despite her friendship with Winifred (the charming Amanda Root) Soames's sister, and the now grow-up June, Irene just can't reconcile herself to this unsuited marriage and her controlling husband. When June's free-spirited architect fiance, Philip Bossiney (Gruffyd), arrives on the scene commissioned by Soames to build a country retreat for Irene and him, Irene realises what she's been missing and embarks on a dangerous affair that ends in tragedy and destruction.

The second series, To Let, focuses on the relationship between Jolyon's youngest son, Jon, and Soames's only child, his beloved Fleur. Set after WWI in the decadent 20s, the Forsyte family are still a constant force despite the changes that have wracked society. These star-crossed lovers who are determined to be together at any cost inadvertantly force their parents to confront their pasts, but can their relationship survive the revelations that ensue? Fleur, who begins as an indulged and coquettish beauty, is grounded and softened by suffering into acceptance that money cannot buy everything. One is left feeling that she will be happy despite this. Again, this saga follows on the themes of love, posession, loss, and the salvaging of something good from past wrongs and hurts, not just for the Forsyte family, but for society in England after the first World War.

But the Forsyte Saga shows life goes on and is touching, charming and humerous despite the grimmer aspects of the plot. The plot is much more three-dimensional than the synopsis I've just given, and the simplistic idea of heroes, victims and villains is much more carefully dealt with. The beauty of this production is that is encapsulates human flaws and the innate spirit of human goodness and redemption utterly. Damien Lewis deserves a wealth of credit for his portrayal of Soames, a much more complicated and understandable character that at first sight.

My only concern with the casting was that of Gina McKee as Irene. I felt that she wasn't quite alluring and captivating enough, in every aspect, to be as desired as she is in the book. I felt McKee played her slightly too aloofly, although she warmed up during the second half. The rest of the cast are, rarely, all excellent. Rupert Graves gives the performance of a lifetime as the Rosetti-like Jolyon Jnr, Amanda Root is perfect as the warm-hearted, witty and hard-done-by Winifred, and Ben Miles as her loveable ne'er do well husband provides much humour to the storyline. Barbara Flynn gives a great performance as Soames's and Winifred's loving and loyal mother, Emily, and Gillian Kearney is fabulous as the impassioned and compassionate June, who matures as the saga unfolds. Of the second series, Emma Griffiths Malin deserves credit for her performance of Fleur, and Oliver Milburn is humerous, charming and sincere as her 'consolation prize'.

This is one period drama that should not be missed. Utterly enjoyable, lavishly produced and a real gem.

Fantastic
Review date: 2008-08-25 Rating: 10 out of 10

I've not seen the orginal 70s version but I highly recommend this one. It seems that Damien Lewis and Rupert Graves were made for the parts.
The story follows the lifes of a Victorian family through several generations and into the 20th century, charting love affairs, scandals and deaths.
The characters were interestingly portrayed. Although Soames is oppressive and obsessed with Irene you can't help but feel some sort of pity for him. I do think that Gina Mckee was a strange choice for this amazingly beautiful woman but after a while she acts so well that you stop thinking about it.
I really can't recommend this enough. Watch it!!

Brilliant - absolutely brilliant ! !
Review date: 2008-07-07 Rating: 10 out of 10

I own this set on VHS and am about to purchase it on DVD, Way better than the old version, Damien Lewis is superb and so is Gina McKee as a "butter wouldn't met in my mouth" Victorian lady. I have watched this so many times and ended up after a while feeling sorry for Soames (Lewis) as much a victim of his repressed Victorian sexuality as McKee was trapped in a loveless marriage. I am especially chuffed as Amazon have it now for a great price - so off to purchase same !

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Gina McKee
Damian Lewis
Rupert Graves
Ioan Gruffudd
Wendy Craig

Creators:
Rupert Graves (Primary Contributor)
Damian Lewis (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: ITV DVD
Manufacturer: ITV DVD
EAN: 5037115222930
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 4
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2006-11-20
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 699 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2003
Language: English (Original Language)

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