Rating: 
Summary: Dreadful aspect ratio
Review: I'm not sure what happened with the transfer to DVD, but it looks as if the picture were transferred from anamorphic widescreen to fullscreen with no compensation for the aspect ratio. Everyone looks as if they were in an El Greco painting (tall, thin and distorted). The facial closeups make actors look as if they are leering into the camera because of the distortion. I have a headache after 10 minutes of this DVD. I never been disappointed in a DVD transfer before, but this one is unwatchable. I assume that they will correct this once enough have been returned, but in the meantime, avoid this version.
Rating: 
Summary: Look-alikes cause some confusion
Review: The actresses who play Winifred and June look so much alike that I was never at first sure whom I was watching; similarly, the two young Forsytes who go off to war in the last episode. But, though jarring, such is just a minor footnote. I found the six episodes absolutely enthralling, and I enjoyed the entire series immensely. The quality of the DVDs was first-rate. I did not see the earlier version other reviewers mention.
Rating:
Summary: Arbiter Elegantiarum
Review: Rarely have DVD releases been as prolific as now, but some do titles stand out. Acorn Media's transfer of THE FORSYTE SAGA onto DVD is pure alchemy. If period costume dramas are what they do best in Britain, it is sensible to import rather than mimic, and pleasant to see an American company taking such obvious care and pride in this line of work - one has to salute this.As for Mr. Behrens' comments, while one can understand his fondness for the original BBC version. However, did he really wish to see the series made the same again, or does anyone, for that matter? What Granada has done with this story has to be praised, especially when people will unimaginatively compare it with the earlier version. In defense of Gina McGee in the role of Irene, it's obvious to the trained eye that the producers were styling her look after the more "pre-Raphaelite" faces of the age - a further display of their understanding and skill in adapting this piece for television. Without any doubt this is the very best piece of television to have reached our shores in the last ten, or fifteen years. If future instalments in any way match the compelling viewing of this first series, then I am quite sure this will be considered a great triumph for television drama.
Rating: 
Summary: Not perfect but good enough on its own terms
Review: Some of my readers might have very warm recollections of the 1967 black and white BBC mini-series (from before, I believe, the term was coined) that brought to life in 26 episodes and 21 hours all six of the nine novels written by John Galsworthy under the supertitle "The Forsyte Saga." Few video adaptations quite as good were to come again until "The Pallisers" attracted millions, and both would be very difficult to improve upon. Well, Granada has tried with what might be an 18 part remake of the Galsworthy saga; and the first series of 6 is now available on three DVDs from Acorn Media. Taken on its own terms, it is extremely good--but not perfect--and had me and wife pretty well riveted to the screen on three successive evenings. It did not, however, erase fond memories of the earlier version. Now the 1967 version was "studio-bound, with static camera work, long scenes and long speeches" (as the press release puts it). What the release leaves out was superb acting by established stars and by newcomer Susan Hampshire whose Fleur made her a star. For example, Eric Porter made Soames a sympathetic human who hurt himself more than he hurt others, especially his miserable first wife Irene. In the 2002 version, Damian Lewis, looking like a demonic Steve McQueen, is 99% pure villain; and his mother's recollection of how he loved a pet cat to death does little to soften his character. It is only in the very last minute of the last episode that he softens--but I will not tell you why. Another problem is the actress playing Irene, Gina McKee. The original Irene was portrayed by the extremely beautiful Nyree Dawn Porter; and all of the comments in the script about her looks were not contradicted by what we saw of her. Here (at the risk of being attacked for being another John Simon), McKee is simply attractive but by no means beautiful. In fact, some of the profile shots make her quite unattractive; and somehow all the praises the other characters sing about her are not justified visually. Then too, Soames' sister, played in 1967 by Margaret Tyzack, was always referred to as unattractive and lucky to catch a husband at all, even if he is a "bounder." Here Amanda Root, being very pretty indeed, draws no such disparaging comments in this new script. The rest of the cast-- Ioan Gruffudd, Rupert Graves, Gillian Kearney, Corin Redgrave, and so many more that I could only wish Acorn Media had provided a booklet with the cast as it did for "The Pallisers"--can stand comparison with the 1967 actors. The production values are just fine, but all too often the camera work becomes annoyingly "innovative" when one character close to the camera is speaking to one further away, and they are brought alternatively in and out of focus as they speak or listen. But, as a comic Shakespearean character says, comparisons are odious. Again, on its own terms, this is a very enjoyable if somewhat flawed remake of (so far) the first two Forsyte novels; and I can honestly recommend them for once and future viewing as I look forward to the next releases when they are filmed. But let us yet hope for some Kind Soul to restore the 1967 version not too long in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Far superior to the original
Review: Having read the books and now having seen both the 69 version and the 2000 version I am somewhat mystified by some of the reviews. First let me say that I am generally a fan of "original" works rather than remakes. I love black and white and am not at all bothered by dated production values or styles. This said, the 2000 version is far and away superior to the 69 version. The performances here are vastly more nuanced and subtle, especially Damien Lewis as Soams. His predecessor was not only too old for the role but I find his performance very self-conciouse and one note. As for the huge uproar over the casting of Irene, I expected to be bowled over by the original, I was not. Here again a very stagey and also vacant performance. Gina McKee is an Irene who attracts not only with her grace and beauty. She is attractive because of her sensitvity her insight and her unwilingness to bow to Victorian social standards. The very things that attract Soams to Irene are the things that make it impossible for their marriage to work. The other characters are also, with rare exception, played better here than in the original especially June, Young Jolyon, Bossiney and Winifred. Do not let a bow to nostalgia cloud your judgement. This is by far a superior piece of work.
Rating:
Summary: Well, two-thirds of the John Galsworthy literary saga
Review: I have neither read John Galsworthy's novels nor seen the classic 1969 BBC version that was the first "Masterpiece Theater," so my perspective is based on recognizing Damian Lewis from "Band of Brothers," Gina McKee from "Notting Hill," Ioan Gruffudd from "Horatio Hornblower," and Amanda Root from "Persuasion." Actually, when I started watching this Granada Television production my immediate thought that this was going to be like "The Magnificent Ambersons," and that sooner or later (I assumed later) Soames Forsyte (Lewis) was going to get his comeuppance. By the end I was thinking more in line of "Rich Man, Poor Man," because Young Jolyon Forsyte (Rupert Graves) becomes the other pivotal Forsyte in the saga and his path and Soames do cross throughout. These comparisons are not meant to be gratuitous, because I think the mini-series at its best is as good as it gets (think "Shogun," "Lonesome Dove," "Pride & Prejudice," name your own--in your heart you know that I am right). The short version of this saga is that it chronicles the lives of three generations of a monied, middle-class English family at the turn of the century. As our saga begins Winifred (Root) becomes engaged to the wastrel Montague Darties. Young Jolyon is disowned by his father (Corin Redgrave) after leaving his wife of this daughter June's governess. Soames is a solicitor who forces his marriage to the beautiful but penniless and therefore desperate Irene, who falls in love with Philip Bosinney, the French architect hired by Soames to build a home in the country. Those are the starting points for the major characters, but what becomes important is that the characters prove to be dynamic despite all the soap opera elements of the saga. The predictability of their behavior is tempered by some surprises. I also want to praise the adaptation by Stephen Mallatratt and Jan McVerry for its use of meaningful looks: there is a scene early on where Soames and his father have a discussion as to how much money to settle on Winifred after her marriage. Soames says nothing but provokes an entire series of propositions form his father just by minute facial manipulations. I was rather surprised to learn after the fact that "The Forsyte Saga" on these three DVDs is not the entire Galsworthy epic. What we have hear is based on "The Man of Property" (1906), the short story interlude "Indian Summer of a Forsyte" (1918), and the novel "In Chancery" (1920). There is another interlude, "Awakening" (1920) and novel "To Let" (1921) which deals with the third generation of the Forsytes, particularly Fleur and Jon, who are born at the end of this series. However, I was actually pleasantly surprised by where and how the saga ended. I guess this is an "average" British mini-series, which certainly makes it above average by anyone's standards. I did not enjoy it so much that I want to go out and read Galsworthy's novels, but it is still a worthwhile viewing experience. However, I do want to check out the old BBC version.
Rating:
Summary: absolutely wonderful!
Review: brilliant acting performance of a wonderful story. I enjoyed every minute of it, and after watching more than eight hours, I couldn't believe it was over.
Rating: 
Summary: Not quite getting this one...
Review: Having never seen the original work or even read the book, I came to this latest DVD version of "The Forsyte Saga" without prejudice to the casting. However, after viewing the 3-disc set I come away shaking my head over one obviously bad choice in casting, just as other viewers did. For the life of me, I could not understand the allure of the Irene character and why so many Forsyte men had gone after her. As for the rest of the cast, most actors suited their parts very well. After greatly enjoying his performance in "Band of Brothers," I wanted to see Damian Lewis in this performance as Soames Forsyte. The character of Soames certainly is a great departure from the character he portrayed in "Band of Brothers." After seeing "Band of Brothers" it was quite odd hearing Mr. Lewis speak with an English accent (although I suppose hearing him with an American accent on BOB should be odd since he is indeed British). Overall, while the series was for the most part well-casted and well-acted, I didn't come away feeling the better for having come to know these characters.
Rating:
Summary: Do yourself a favour
Review: Do yourself a favour and watch this series of DVDs also Series 2. If you love this era then dont miss this lavishly produced series with gorgous costumes and handsome heroes watch the series then read the books. They are great.
Rating:
Summary: Amateur Night on Forsyte 'change
Review: I can only review Series One of the remake of the Forsyte Saga, as I had better things to do with my time than watch the second series. The only character to come out with credit was Corin Redgrave, whose Old Jolyon was a match for that of Joseph O'Connor in the 1967 original.
Soames Forsyte is a powerful man, a major player in the business life of the City of London at the high point of Empire. Damien Lewis plays him as Uriah Heap;a jumped up clerk decked who would not have made it to square one in the circles Soames moved in.
Irene, Galsworthy's ethereal presence spinning her web, half spider, half enchantress, is portrayed by Gina McKee with all the grace of a Catherine Cookson heroine, clogs and all, more Olive Oyle than gazelle. A week at Lucy Clayton's would not have gone amiss.
By comparison with this pair, Errol Flynn and Greer Garson in the execrable 1940's screen version become almost bearable..almost.
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