Rating: 
Summary: It's About Time
Review: After seeing one hour of the 20002 remake,I was happy to see the original is back. The acting is so far superior.I hope the interviews after each episode are included. I had the pleasure of seeing Susan Hampshire when I was on a visit to England and it doesn't matter what role she has she is terific.Buy this version forget about the remake.
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent and Timeless
Review: As a fan of the novels and as having vaguely remembered seeing a repeat of the BBC series as a child I was pleasantly surprised to see (upon viewing this DVD) just how fine a productions this actually was. True, one has to look past the technical problems that come with filming for television in the late sixties (cramped sets, limited takes, sound problems, etc.) and the unfortunate casting in the character of Phillip Bosinney (he really didn't seem attractive in ANY way, which makes it more difficult to believe Irene's loving him), BUT if one does get past all that there is an incredible story full of moving and flawed characters. The casting is as nearly perfect (with the exception of Bosinney) as any I've seen in any adaptation anywhere. Truly remarkable. The two most crucial casting decisions are those of two Porters (unrelated): Rigid, "long-headed", and possessive Soames (Eric Porter) and Beauty personified in Irene (Nyree Dawn Porter). The BBC nailed it. The series is about property, owning it, maintaining it and keeping it--Irene is the ultimate possession and must have been extremely difficult to cast. I am glad they took the time to get it right. The story loses focus and interest after Jon decides not to marry Fleur (right after his father dies) but the first 12 or so episodes are worth buying the whole series. Absolutely marvelous.
Rating:
Summary: Superlative, classic adaption, see this one!
Review: Before viewing the 2002 version, see the earlier one first! This twenty-six part series is an adaptation faithful to Galsworthy's series of six novels and extremely well cast. This series tells the story of an upper class British family from the Victorian age through the time of the General Strike of 1926. The first part focuses on Young Jolyon Forsyte's affair and subsequent marriage to his daughter June's Governess Helene Hillmer; this causes his estrangement from his father. It also dramatizes the very complex relationship between Soames Forsyte and his wife Irene. Irene marriages Soames for security, but has an aversion to him which intensifies as the years of their marriage pass. She falls in love with her cousin's June's fiance Philip Bosinney. The second part concerns the next generation: Soames daughter Fleur with his second wife, Annette and Irene's son Jon, from her second marriage to Young Jolyon. Fleur and Jon's love affair is a major theme of the second part. The series is well cast: Kenneth More as Young Jolyon; Eric Porter as Soames; Nyree Dawn Porter as Irene; Susan Hampshire as Fleur; and Nicholas Pennell as Michael Mont. The supporting cast is superb: Lana Morris as Helene; Margaret Tyzack is perfect as Soames' sister Winifred; Fay Compton as Aunt Ann; and Michael York in one of his first roles as Young Jolyon's son, Jolly. Do see this one before the 2002 series which pales in comparison. The costuming is great and even newsreel footage of events taking place at the time of the plot (e.g. Victoria's funeral) is shown.
Rating:
Summary: Welcome Back John Galsworthy
Review: Compelling drama made possible through the BBC and Masterpiece Theater. I was 15 years old when I first watched this brilliant adaptation of the John Galsworthy novel. I remember feeling glued to my television anticipating each episode. My local PBS Station aired it nightly in the summer of 1971. I only watched it once and I have never forgotten how wonderfully it possesed romance, despair, ambiance, mystery, intrigue, scandal and turn of the century social morals. Susan Hampshire, Eric Porter and the late Nyree Dawn Porter truly give this production the life and spirit of the novel. The "special features" of this DVD Set contain so many interviews and glimpses of England at the time of the filming. These are priceless interviews that I would have never been able to see because of the age of the production. Anyone purchasing this DVD Set will not be disappointed! One of the best buys for the money you will ever find!
Rating:
Summary: The is the model
Review: For anyone who has not seen this series, please do. And now that we have this, we need "The First Churchills" and "Tom Brown's School Days"
Rating:
Summary: The is the model
Review: For anyone who has not seen this series, please do. And now that we have this, we need "The First Churchills" and "Tom Brown's School Days"
Rating:
Summary: The is the model
Review: For anyone who has not seen this series, please do. And now that we have this, we need "The First Churchills" and "Tom Brown's School Days"
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: I am happy beyond belief that this series has finally been
issued for the general public. I am enjoying it so very much,
it is just as if some thirty plus years had not already elapsed
since its release in the late 60's. This series stands the test
of time, over and over again. This is a must see.
Rating:
Summary: Original Forsyta Saga--the first and the best!!
Review: I am so happy this is finally being released! I saw it on TV when I was 13 years old and have viewed it in recent years at the Museum of TV and Radio in New York. It is addictive, it is thrilling, it is the best! Eric Porter, Nyree Dawn Porter, Kenneth More, Susan Hampshire and Nicholas Pennell are extraordinary. I can't wait...!!
Rating:
Summary: Great transfer, wonderful extras !
Review: I bought the DVD set even though I already owned the series on tape. The extra footage seemed just too tempting ! I wasn't disappointed, not only is this an excellent transfer, it's a small miracle they have been able to dig up 2 hours of extra footage ! Each and every minute of it is worth watching, from the wonderful cast interviews to the Late Night Line-up program that so well documents the "Forsyte-madness" that struck millions and millions of Brits back in 1967. Only one word of criticism : Warner didn't do their homework when it came to write the cast's biographies. There are mistakes and omissions all over the place, i.e. Eric Porter is credited with work he never had anything to do with [an animated film by an Australian of the same name] and Nyree Dawn Porter is said to have "earned" an OBE [Officer of the British Empire] when it is wellknown that she got it because of a mistake made in Downing Street. The honour was to go to Eric Porter for services to television and the theatre [he was a founding member of the Royal Shakespeare Company] but went to Nyree instead because someone in the Prime Minister's Office got the 2 names mixed up. Let this not deter you, it's still a ***** set !!
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