Product Details

• Actors: Damian Lewis, Rupert Graves, Gina McKee, Beatriz Batarda, Ann Bell
• Directors: Christopher Menaul, David Moore
• Writers: Jan McVerry, John Galsworthy, Stephen Mallatratt
• Producers: Andy Harries, David Boulter, Rebecca Eaton
• Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, Anamorphic
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 3
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Acorn Media
• DVD Release Date: October 8, 2002
• Run Time: 426 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (84 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00006FHZE
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,492 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "The Forsyte Saga, Series 1" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

FORSYTE SAGA SERIES 1 - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Remake--But the earlier version is much superior, December 28, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Forsyte Saga, Series 1 (DVD)

I approached this remake with an open mind, having already been enchanted by the novels and the original series on PBS. This series is good, but suffers greatly from miscasting of pivotal character of Irene Heron Forsyte. Gina McKee, a talented actress, does not convey the mystery and allure of Irene the way Nyree Dawn Porter had already done in the original series. Gina McKee's coldness and drabness makes it hard to believe that men would be captivated by her. For instance, I found it hard to believe that Philip Bosinney would throw over sweet and pretty June for this coldblooded woman. Nyree Dawn Porter on the other hand was Irene Forsyte, matching the description of Galsworthy as a beautiful woman with brown eyes and blonde hair who was charming. Ms. Porter effectively portrayed the aversion she had for Soames Forsyte, her first husband, and the warmth and devotion she showed to her second husband, Young Jolyon and their son, Jon. She made it easy to understand why Bosinney would leave June for her.

The male characters were better: Rupert Graves, Ioan Gruffaud, Damien Lewis, and Corin Redgrave were wonderful. Damien Lewis captured the tormented Soames quite well and Ioan Gruffaud was an improvement over the actor who played Bosinney in the earlier series. Corin Redgrave was an outstanding Old Jolyon and Rupert Graves was sympathetic as Young Jolyon. The only problem was that Ms. McKee's Irene looked more mature than her love interests, Philip and Young Jolyon. Irene was sixteen years younger than Young Jolyon, but Rupert Graves looked younger than Gina McKee. Ioan Gruffaud looked more suited to the actress playing June than the more mature Irene.

The scriptwriters I felt took liberties with the novel that really clashed with what the characters were all about. For instance, the proud Young Jolyon after his exile from his family, would never have gone back to his Uncle James and Cousin Soames asking for a loan. This scene was totally out of character. Also, Irene was supposed to be gentle and passive; Gina McKee's Irene slapped June. This too was totally out of character. There was never a scene with Soames asking his fiancee Annette to throw Young Jolyon and pregnant Irene out of a restaurant. The scene was absurd and totally unnecessary. It would have been better had the writers stayed with the novel and had Soames seeing Irene and Jolyon in a crowd at Queen Victoria's funeral. I also could have done without the graphic bedroom scenes involving Irene and Soames. The first series and the novels more appropriately left their intimate relationship to the imagination.

Overall, this was a good effort. I hope that care is taken in casting Fleur Forsyte, who was brilliantly played by Susan Hampshire in the earlier series. If she is miscast, like Irene, the second half will fall apart, since Fleur is such a pivotal character in part two.

70 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not perfect but good enough on its own terms, September 7, 2002

By 

F. Behrens "Frank Behrens" (Keene, NH USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Forsyte Saga, Series 1 (DVD)

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.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!, July 9, 2007

By 

Geraldine Raddell (Cleveland, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Forsyte Saga, Series 1 (DVD)

A beautifully filmed history piece re the Forsythe's. Drama, romance, tragedy all carefully weaved into the lives of those directly involved in the family, as well as innocent bystanders. For Damian Lewis and Ioann Gufford fans, definitely add to your collection. One becomes so involved in the story, you really believe you know them. And as for Damian Lewis as Soames, you love him, hate him and pity him all at once. A wonderful performance by all! For lovers of period pieces, this is a catch!