The Forsyte Saga - The Complete Series |  | Actors: Eric Porter, Margaret Tyzack, Nyree Dawn Porter, June Barry, Kenneth More
Studio: BBC Warner
Category: DVD
List Price: $99.98
Buy New: $51.99
as of 11/22/2009 12:23 CST details
You Save: $47.99 (48%)
New (15) Used (7) from $50.00
Seller: Amazon.com
Rating:  60 reviews
Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Black & White, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 7
Running Time: 1300 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 5.5 x 1.5
MPN: WARDE1716D
ISBN: 0790773422
UPC: 794051171627
EAN: 9780790773421
Theatrical Release Date: 1967
Release Date: February 25, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
| |
| Similar Items:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 09/27/2005 Run time: 1300 minutes Rating: Nr
Amazon.com
The Forsyte Saga is often cited as the first television miniseries; it wasn't, but there's no question that it was a singular, powerful cultural phenomenon that deservedly got under the skin of European viewers in 1967 and changed the American TV landscape two years later. (Among other things, The Forsyte Saga brought more viewers and extra clout to a then-struggling public television in the U.S., and gave rise to PBS's Masterpiece Theatre.) Today the 26-episode production, based on several novels and short stories by John Galsworthy, is a more timeless enterprise than many of the protracted British TV dramas that have followed. While it would be wrong to consider The Forsyte Saga high art, it's certainly a mesmerizing and inspired mix of theater, sprawling Victorian narrative, thinking man's soap opera, and some finely tuned, 1960s black-and-white production values that (especially when shot outdoors) are strikingly handsome. Above all, Forsyte is driven by its characters--perhaps to an extreme, though the two-generation storyline makes no apologies for creating compelling people whose capacity for short-sighted blundering, bursts of grace, and slow-brewing redemption make them recognizably human. Eric Porter towers over everything as Soames Forsyte, a humorless attorney whose guiding principles of measurable value cause great heartache but slowly evolve, leaving him a graying, good father, arts patron, and sympathetic repository of memory. From the cast of 150 or so, other standouts include Susan Hampshire as Soames's troubled daughter, Nyree Dawn Porter as the wife of two very different Forsyte men, and Kenneth More as the family's artistic black sheep. --Tom Keogh
|
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 60
A Milestone August 29, 2009
John D. Cofield
As a child I remember hearing adults speaking in glowing terms of a long but riveting series called The Forsyte Saga. It was on public television, and we didn't yet have cable, so I was unable to watch it then. But later the success of The Forsyte Saga helped to spawn "Masterpiece Theater", which became an increasingly important part of my life through high school and beyond. I never saw the original Forsyte Saga until it was released on DVD, and I can now say confidently that it was well worth the wait.
Since this is a production from the 1960s, all 26 episodes are black and white. I expected this to make it seem somewhat old fashioned, but it wasn't at all. The cast is so outstanding and the writing is so literate that one overlooks any thing which might seem a shortcoming. (For a rare example, I have to say that the Wilmots' "Southern accents" must rank among the worst ever perpetrated by non-Southerners!) I had already seen the newer versions of The Forsyte Saga, so it was interesting to see and compare this depiction (generally this one is superior in acting and in scripting) with the later ones. It was also enjoyable to recognize British actors and actresses with whom I became familiar during the heyday of Masterpiece Theater in the 1970s, particularly Margaret Tyzack.
The 26 episodes are all about 50 minutes long, so be sure to block out sufficient time over a period of several weeks so that you can savor this series and stretch it out as it was intended.
Timeless Entertainment July 30, 2009
D. Smith (Los Angeles, CA USA)
While probably considered old fashioned because of being shot in black and white, the quality of writing, acting, etc. keeps this series timeless. I first saw this series on PBS in the late 60's/early 70's and I was afraid it wouldn't hold up over the years, but like an old friend it's charm continues to entertain and delight.
The Forsythe Saga July 21, 2009
Patricia S. Yu (Philadelphia, PA.)
Excellent -- although contrary to views by the critics, I like the Soames of the later version better, for all of his materialistic instincts, still seemed more human. Also, the second version, the architectural rendition was superior. I loved the series and both should be seen.
 Forsyte Saga January 6, 2009
Edward Alan Cones (Ohio)
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
Not that I have viewed the product yet, It was a Christams present for someone else, but, The product arrived is great time, in great shape, the service was good, and I had no problem with payment for the item. To say that I am completely satisfied, would be a slight understatment.
 Family Rating PG13 September 8, 2008
L. Nickel (Washington, USA)
1 out of 8 found this review helpful
Besides my interest in British movies from this era, I look for movies I will enjoy and I feel comfortable having on my shelf for my grandchildren to run across. Although the story was fascinating as it weaved relationships in and out of the lives of the characters, it appeared that infidelity was a way of life. I gave my series of The Forsyte Saga to a mature friend.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 60
|
|
|
