Rating: 
Summary: A Genuine Masterpiece
Review: I take issue with the long-winded reviewer who referred to Gina McKee as "horse faced and unattractive". I am not sure how this comment can be taken seriously in any thoughtful critique of the piece, but in any case, it is probably obvious to anyone wishing to learn more about the 2001 version of the Forsyte Saga that the reviewer is simply spewing catty gibberish; the cast is splendid with no exceptions. As for Gina McKee (Irene); besides being physically striking, the actress portrays a character, who like most (if not all) of the characters in the piece, were created with qualities that are something less than likeable and selfless (perhaps the reviewer was too focused on critiquing physical features that didn't agree with her rather than concentrating on the point of the story. The strong commitment to personal agendas above all else inherent in most of the characters is one of the more compelling aspects of the Forsyte Saga. It is quite simply a masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: McKee is Sensational...
Review: As one of England's most gifted actors, Gina Mckee is superb in "The Forsyth Saga" (BBC) . Her subtle, gentle performance gives her character an intensely complex dimension usually stripped out of BBC period dramas. KcKee almost leaves the other actors for dead in many of her most important scenes. An actor of superb technique and armed with undeniably the most beautiful, complex profiles in contemporary film and television. Her alluring, slightly theatrical presence and physicality are what make this remake so impressive. A fine example of an exceptional actor totally in control of her craft, handling an incredibly difficult role with decorum that only a first rate, classically trained, and gifted actor could.
Rating: 
Summary: A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE.
Review: I viewed the entire series on PBS and was hoping that this new version would be as good as the original 1969 BBC version. Unfortunately,it falls far below that landmark series.First, almost none of the actors are right for their roles.Damian Lewis as Soames has only one dimension:mean.Soames should be multi-faceted, played to perfection by the great Eric Porter in the original series.As Young Jolyon,Rupert Graves is TOO young,too cruel in the last series,and misses completely the irony of this pivotal character.The marvelous Kenneth More had this part pegged in the original.Gina McKee is a fine actress,but she is NOT Irene.Her performance is simply that of a completely langorous wimp.Irene's passive yet resolute spirit was played unforgettably by the wonderful Nyree Dawn Porter in the original.And finally,the actress who played Fleur was completely unbelievable,playing this role as rather dull and petulant, totally self centered.Fleur is a character of quicksilver,moody but bright,selfish but kind.The superb Susan Hampshire played this role to perfection in the original.The worst problem,however,was the adaptation.Complete scenes that were never in the books were created out of whole cloth,ruining the cohesiveness of the story.Other scenes were changed with ludicrous results.For this version,3 stars for effort.Not very good.Avoid it.Get the 1969 original version while it is still available.
Rating: 
Summary: What Went Wrong at the BBC?
Review: Normally the BBC produces impeccable versions of classic literature, with careful attention to script, casting, ambience, replete with a healthy respect for the author and his/her work. It seems the script writers did not trust John Galsworthy, choosing instead to adopt the Cole's Notes skeletal version, add scenes on an ad hoc basis, rewrite characterizations, and change the physical appearance of a number of characters (a minor concern, granted, but the last straw for this camel's back). Although I was not entirely satisfied with the 1969 version (which compelled me to read the novels for the first and certainly not the last time), this attempt seems ramshackle and cheap in comparison; it certainly lacks the psychological depth and subtlty Galsworthy intended in his social satire, and instead seems like a protracted, flat soap opera, bumping haphazardly from scene to scene. Oh, I admit a major bias: my given name is Irene, I have naturally blonde hair, dark brown eyes, and am a working artist spending much time in Paris -- is it no wonder the books captured my imagination as a child? Yes, I have a dead lover, but of cancer.I found the casting odd to say the least: Damian Lewis, a gifted young actor, did not have Soames' ashen grey features and balding pate, which could be forgiven, were it not for a curiously one note performance. This Soames does not evoke sympathy; this Soames has no inner turmoil, nor does he struggle to understand why his wife so loathes him, as does Galsworthy's character. Galsworthy's Soames was a man clearly out of his depth, unable to appreciate the esoteric, the aesthetic -- factors which unite Irene and Bosinney -- and ultimately trapped in the self imposed hell of his own limitations. A despairing creature, ever stiffer and more remote from all that is good; Soames, yes, was the 'Man of Property': here lies the essence of the tragedy. Only the birth of his daughter Fleur affected him for the better. I do not blame Mr. Lewis, but the director's lack of vision. Irene's desperation is little understood; Gina McKee also varies little in terms of demeanor, speaking indistinctly and lumbering along(Galsworthy's Irene set the air in motion with her grace), appearing more vacant than enigmatic. Irene was enigmatic only to Soames; all others gravitated to her sympathetic nature. Ms. McKee is rather horse faced and unattractive, not all the Pre-Raphaelite ideal of beauty (I wrote a master's thesis on Pre-Raphaelite art) as one reviewer remarked. But the fatal flaw is her lack of charm; there is no radiance, nothing emanating from within that would explain her appeal. Different colouring (one reviewer mentioned the 'blonde beauty queen' -- I think not) could be acceptable were other necessities in place. Galsworthy's Irene symbolized the unsuccessful taming of the soul's wild energy: she was described as having the appearance of a heathen goddess, suggestive of frightening sensuality, as well as being artistic and passionate. One could consider this a comment on Victorian sensiblities gone mad: too much order, too much structure, mass production, capitalism and industry and not enough artistry and soul. Irene signified a more primaeval era (here we can rightly argue the Pre-Raphaelite and Arts and Crafts movements). Back to the show: Ms. McKee and Ioan Gruffud, also an odd choice, being outright handsome, not quirky as Galsworthy envisioned, had absolutely no chemistry. She seemed too old next him, too large, and again, awkward and uninspiring of such passion. Unfortunately, other characters also fell short: June, with her masses of red hair, and her social causes, is not what we see; she and Irene reconciled much earlier than this version describes; why? June was a more complex character than here depicted. And the next generation is barely touched: Holly, Jolly, and the former's love affair with Val Dartie, are skimmed. When Jolly is killed in the Boer War, it is difficult to be moved, as one does not have a clear understanding of him; his death is merely a plot device to showcase Young Jolyon's grief and propel him into marriage with Irene. Holly and Jolly's mother, Helene Hilmer, Young Jolyon's second wife and June's governess, was written as Austrian-English, and despairingly neurotic with guilt -- an interesting character. Yet Corin Redgrave is a delight to watch, offering a nuanced performance, simultaneously hopeful and melancholy in the not very well defined 'Interlude'. Here is a performance of note, full of rich emotion, sensitively delivered. Indeed, the entire elder generation, I found, were much more compelling, often humourous, multidimensional and distinct. I also quibbled with the sets and costumes: neither seemed indicative of late Victorian prosperity; Irene's clothes were often cheap, ill matched, as if thoughtlessly assembled from a rag bag. The glorious costumes from 'The Age of Innocence', from approximately the same era, were far superior for both accuracy and effect. Sets, also, were not distinguished, nor accurate; even the house at Robin Hill, although lovely, was, architecturally speaking, a much later development. I found disconcerting the necessity of adding scenes which distorted and misrepresented the characters, particularly as Galsworthy's novels were long, carefully constructed, and involved. To name but a few: - Irene never went to Soames and suggested they marry;
- did we need to see Irene practicing birth control in the bath?
- Irene slapped June when Bosinney was missing;
- Soames accosting Irene as she worked with 'fallen women';
- Young Jolyon and the pregnant Irene asked to quit Annette's restaurant. And, finally (good thing, some might say), I found the script curiously modern in places, full of late twentieth century idioms, and not accurate in reflecting Victorian speech, which was quite formal and reserved. Some of the conversations between men and women (Soames and Irene in particular) are too frank and confrontational for the era, and the book. Also, why does everyone say "take care" incessantly? There is no excuse for anachronisms, particularly if one has rich source material; dialogue must have the ring of authenticity. Recently, I have been disappointed with the BBC's slapdash approach; some series have been successful ('Daniel Deronda', 'Middlemarch'), but this and several attempts at, for example, Emily Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights', have fallen far short of the mark. Don't even try something if it cannot be done well. Please.
Rating:
Summary: Very nicely done
Review: Anything that can get my attention for more than 5 minutes deserves five stars. Well done!
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding performances and Great Casting
Review: The casting of Gina McKee as Irene
was genius. Your attention is drawn to her whenever she is in the frame. She is luminous. I kept thinking of Sargent's Madame X and wondered if the decision to cast her in this role was based partially on the resemblance to that notorious beauty. Damien Lewis does a fine job with Soames- his taut handling of the character amplifies the importance of the emotional control and repression and the strict formality of mannerisms central to both the era and the story. This may be a soap-opera, but visually it's stunning.
Rating:
Summary: The Forsyte Saga
Review: Beautiful Series. Great Adaptation. Wonderful Acting. Maybe Not Exactly The Same As The Book, But Still Amazing In It's Own Right.
Rating:
Summary: Incomparable
Review: Gina mckee was my favourite part of this production,she is hauntingly beautiful as irene and I think portrayed the character's turmoil perfectly.Since I havent watched the earlier 1960's series I cant compare her to the previous 'irene' but nor should she be compared.This production on its own when seperated from its predecessor has great merit and is one of the better productions ive seen in a very long time,I really loved it.It even beats sue birwistle's 'pride and prejudice'which I thought the best adaption of a book ever produced.The costumes are to die for,the interiors are equally stunning,the story itself is endlessly fascinating and cleverly transfered to screen.The characters are well drawn out and played perfectly, especially kearny as june,lewis as soames and the young and old jolyon played by graves and redgrave.A completely flawless production,I cant wait to see 'To let',hopefully they will continue with more of the same.
Rating: 
Summary: A travesty of the original
Review: Anyone who saw Nyree Dawn Porter will be repulsed by the horrible casting of Gina McKee as Irene. How could this gawky sourpuss be the woman whose beauty drove Bosinney to his death, Soames to rape, and Jolyon to perfect happiness? Damian Lewis does a good job of chewing curtains. The rest are ok. But the entire cast suffers from having an ugly Irene. It just ain't so, as George would have said!
Rating:
Summary: Great, Great, Great!
Review: I loved this saga. The cast was wonderful. The story was wonderful. It kept me watching the whole time. I wish there were more shows like this on TV.
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