The Forsyte Saga 1967

I remember watching a rerun in the early days of pregnancy with my first baby. I had awful sickness and I recall lying on the sofa in the afternoons, feeling sorry for myself.

We watched the old War and Peace with Anthony Hopkins a while back. The shaky sets and hollow voices had us laughing! It was lovely to be able to watch long speeches without cameras hopping about all the time, so you could really look at the expressions on people’s faces.

We absolutely loved that series. Didn't a lot if churches change the time of their service so not to clash as so many people wanted to watch it. I've enjoyed the remakes as well but that original one had that extra something.

I was still at school, my parents were avidly watching it, I don't think they realised I was lurking in the room with them, I think it was one of the first fairly grown up dramas that left me captivated. Then I watched it again, a few years ago, Damian Lewis and Gina McKee took the starring roles.

Lovely memories of watching this snuggled up to my mum. Sadly, she died not long after. Nyree was so beautiful. Soames, I loathed. Haven’t read the books, but do remember it being serialised on radio some time ago. Powerful listening.

Oddly enough, I was chatting to an old friend last night who had been in Singapore at the same time as us, and she said “Do you remember when your television conked out and you jumped in a taxi and rushed over to us so that you could watch The Forsyth Saga? You knew we’d be in because everyone was glued to it on a Sunday night!” I said she must be psychic!

The Forsyte Saga was essential viewing on a Sunday evening in our house, my mum loved it. I’ve never seen the modern version.

Family at War was a great series tictacnana I’d also like to see Sam again. Mark McManus played the adult Sam.

Calendargirl

nightowl

I didn’t enjoy the Damian Lewis version, although I thought he was very good. Unfortunately I thought Gina McKee was totally miscast as Irene, both physically and in character. But then, Nyree Dawn Porter was an impossible act to follow, she WAS Irene.

Gina McKee got on my nerves.

I had every sympathy for poor Soames.

I was trying to be polite

Family at War. It was a favourite when I was at uni. and a great talking point. It was on Talking Pictures not long ago and was still spellbinding .

Lady Ga Ga I have read the books, but a long time ago. I found them on my bookshelves again and am going to take them on holiday with me.

I also like Soames and felt sorry for him. I'm afraid Irene got on my nerves.

nightowl

I didn’t enjoy the Damian Lewis version, although I thought he was very good. Unfortunately I thought Gina McKee was totally miscast as Irene, both physically and in character. But then, Nyree Dawn Porter was an impossible act to follow, she WAS Irene.

Gina McKee got on my nerves.

I had every sympathy for poor Soames.

I agree that the 1967 version is very much of its time. The production is very theatrical, sets are a bit shaky, actors definitely too old for their parts. But I just love it, and it was longer so more able to explore the themes, and that’s probably the reason I didn’t care for the later version.

I had the same response to Poldark.

I didn't see the original Forsyte Saga and loved the Damien Lewis and Gina McKee version.

I didn’t enjoy the Damian Lewis version, although I thought he was very good. Unfortunately I thought Gina McKee was totally miscast as Irene, both physically and in character. But then, Nyree Dawn Porter was an impossible act to follow, she WAS Irene.

And of course no i player to watch it later in the week which is what we do with several things on a Sunday evening now.

I re read the whole series last year and thoroughly enjoyed them especially as Soames house was set near Richmond Park which I got to know in the 70s. The Park of course not the fictional house. A really gripping story of its time. I must look out for the Damian Lewis version.

I loved him in A spy among friends this year.
And am just finishing Bletchley Park by Sinclair Mckay non fiction and fits in well with the series.

Sounds like a good idea, especially to me, as I was not allowed to watch it in 1967.

It ran at a time of the evening when I was supposed to be doing my homework - I sat my Highers that year and television ranked far below homework in my childhood home. Neither of my parents would have countenanced the idea that I could stay up later to do homework on a school-night in order to see television. Perish the thought! I didn't even dare ask!

thanks for mention of Youtube version.... one of old favourites, I did not realise it was as old as 1967, I thought it was one of first drama productions to be made in colour? .... not that we had a colour TV= that was one of perks of a babysitting job back then!

Our parish church changed the time of evensong

I bought it on DVD a while ago but have yet to watch it. I loved it originally.
I remember that churches had fewer attending on Sunday evenings.

Have you read the books Framilode ? They are beautifully written and one of my all time favourites. I then went on to watch the Damian Lewis series which I thought was outstanding - I know I shouldn’t like Soames, but I fell a bit in love with him 😂 thanks for the heads up of the 1967 one. I too read and watched the Pallisers grandMattie I loved the cardboard scenery! I have just finished the original Upstairs Downstairs on ITV x. With no location filming and fancy camera work the actors in these programs really have to act.

I often watch the 1967 version of Forsyte Saga. I enjoy even more the version with Damian Lewis and Gina McKee which came out much later yet before the whispering and the background music.

What amazed me when I watched it again years later was the characters actually talk to one another in long scenes, so different to todays quick change from scene to scene. I have it on DVD.

Gosh, we were living in Singapore when this was essential Sunday night viewing and everyone was glued to it. A wonderful series. Superb acting. The music is from the Three Elizabeth’s Suite by Eric Coates. I’ll try and pick it up again.

I can remember the opening music still.

Thought Nyree Dawn Porter was so beautiful.

I absolutely loved it! My parents enjoyed it so much that they bought themselves the videos at great cost.
I also watched “The Pallisers” recently, same vintage. Just as good.