One of the previous reviewers presents a significant factual error in their review of this production of "The Forsyte Saga." The 1960s BBC production is not by any means the "original." It wasn't even the first filming of the story (1949's "That Foryste Woman" with Errol Flynn may have that distinction). The original version is John Galsworthy's writing. Bearing that in mind, this rendition of the saga is a perfectly valid and entertaining one. Saying that the current version is forced to resort to prurient interest to attract an audience also ignores that portraying Soames' rape of his wife in the 1960s production in no small part contributed to that version's attracting an audeince. This current version deserves to be discussed on its own (not inconsiderable) merits, not turned into a whipping boy just to puff up the 1960s BBC verison, which (while it may be superior in some respects) is not quite as great as some would make it out to be. The current version has a fine cast of actors (young and experienced alike) and is done with good spirit. It's a fine entertainment, well worth a few hours of your time.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

I didn't want it to end Jun 17 2004

By A Customer

Format:DVD

I have never read the books or seen the original series. I only was obsessed with the first series on DVD last year and for the last couple of days have been obsessed with the second. The only reason why I went onto the internet as soon as the second one finished is I wanted to see if that was indeed the end. Unfortunately it is.

I am upset that they rushed through the developing love affair between Jolyon and Irene in the first series. I also did not love Series 2 as much as Series I.

But as I had not read the books or seen the 1969 series I did not miss the omissions that obviously disturbed other viewers. It was just a fabulous British drama with wonderful sets and costumes and it totally sucked me in. That is what I really want these days when constantly searching for new dramas to watch on DVD. This one fulfilled this requirement.

I would recommend this version series to anyone!!!!!!!!!!!! I am now just going to have to buy the 1969 series.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

What Did They Do to My Galsworthy...again? May 1 2004

By Ms Winston

Format:DVD

What a disappointment is Series 2 of Granada Televison's production of "The Forsyte Saga", based upon John Galsworthy's novel "To Let." Again, it is as though the producers and writers at Granada never read more than an outline of Galworthy's complex and richly detailed works. This time they were not content to make minor alterations to the plot....no, only a meat cleaver was good enough for the writers who adapted "To Let" for the screen. The film opens with a scene that never took place in the novel, where pre-teens Jon Forsyte (son of Young Jolyn & Irene) and Fleur (daughter of Soames and Annette) meet and are instantly fast friends, in the way that children do. Seeing his daughter and the son of Jolyn & Irene (his sworn enemies) playing in the garden turns Soames into a raving monster who in his rage almost strikes Jon. Damian Lewis as Soames frequently appears to be foaming at the mouth when ever he becomes angry...the scenery must have been in constant danger during the filming of this production. Other equally strange liberties were taken with the book, including Jon and Fleur making love right after his father's funeral, and a reconciliation of sorts between Soames and Irene that concludes Series 2 and which never happened in the books.

Now, as to the more positive aspects of the production: Gena McKee was not nearly as annoying as the middle aged Irene as she was in Series 1, when she was supposed to be a young woman possessing a fatal beauty that attracted all men into her orbit. Her character was warmer and more sympathetic than in the first series. Rupert Graves was an excellent Young Jolyn, wise, loving, and scared of what would happen to his family upon his death. I thought Emma Griffiths Malin was a more-than-adequate Fleur, although she could not quite get the same subtle emotions across as did Susan Hampshire in the 1969 production of "To Let." The character of Michael Mont was as charming and appealing in this version as it was in the original, but Lee Williams as Jon left much to be desired IMO, somewhat due to his too youthful appearance.

This series gave us more insight into the relationship between Soames and Annette than did the original production, which was one case of the new series being more faithful to the book than was the 1969 version, where Annette simply disappeared never to be seen again after her relationship with Profond was discovered. However, that alone cannot make up for a deeply flawed script and the over-the-top acting of Damien Lewis. I really feel Mr Lewis could have benefited by watching the original Soames, the great Eric Porter, who had most viewers eating out of his hand by the end of the 26 episodes of the 1969 series. I hardly think that will be the case here.

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