Brilliant adaptation of a classic novel - The Forsyte Saga (Forsyte Saga, The)

Member Name: Jcapulet

Product:	Forsyte Saga, The
Date:	19/01/09 (50 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good quality cast, acting, script, scenery, costume.

Disadvantages: None.

Years ago I had the misfortune to stumble upon Errol Flynn's "That Forsyte Woman" which had put me off ever reading the book. However, in my teens as I went through my 'classics' phase I decided to give it a go and throughly enjoyed the novel and when I had heard that ITV were making an adaptation of it, I could only hope that it was better than the earlier versions and I was far from disappointed !!

I love both the first and second 'Forsyte Saga' parts of the adapation and in my opinion the star of the show is Damian Lewis for his wonderful portrayal of a man obsessed with ownership and control. Soames Forsyte, Damian's character, was to be pitied in some ways as he was unable to deal with his feelings of love without those actions of possessiveness and hope for total control, which in turn leads him into losing the woman he loved because of it. Gina Mckee played her part of Irene Forsyte very well also; Irene a woman who was forced through circumstances to marry well after her father's death and hoped that she would be able to come to love Soames one day and hopes that he will keep his word if the marriage is unsuccessful and will let her go. However, his actions and his inability to deal with his feelings results in Irene's close attachment to Philip, fiance of her best friend and another Forsyte, one of the few men that Irene ever falls in love with and a relationship that ends in disaster when Soames pulls out all the stops to ruin Philip and keep control over his wife. However, it is this tragedy that precedes Irene's decision to leave Soames and try to make her own way in the world. It is their relationship that is one of the main strands that run throughout the years and both series and it isn't until the end of the second series when Soames relenquishes his need for control over Irene and only then does he earn any form of respect from her.

The first series spans the first couple of Forsyte generations, the aging grandparents, middle aged parents and the younger generation, i.e the likes of Soames, Irene, Jolyon Jr, Philip, Winifred and Dartie, whilst the second series in the main concentrates the lives of their children and how the Forsyte family secrets affect their lives and change them in all manner of ways. The biggest story line in the second series is that between John ( son of Irene and Jolyon Jr ) and Fleur ( daughter of Soames and his second wife Annette, with whom he has little control over also, much to his dismay. ) Unfortunately for Fleur and John, the Forsyte family history has an impact on their love for each other and leaves you feeling dismayed at how the past can have such a negative affect on the present/future.

Classy cast and script, brilliant costume and general all round brilliant adaptation of a classic novel. I'd recommend both parts but not the second without viewing and/or understanding the first as there is too much reference to the past to view the second series as a stand alone programme.

Summary: I would recommend both series of the Forsyte Saga, both having their own merits !!