The Forsytes

I started to watch the new series but gave up. It is so far removed from the book …that it is laughable.
Jolyon had his children Jolyon and Holly, with a dressmaker, whilst married to Frances. Irene a ballet dancer!

Thanks Calendargirl. I do find this version very confusing. I enjoyed the Damien Lewis version but really my version is the 1960s version

Exactly that. It's too 'Bridgerton' which I hated. Dressed up nonsense.

luluaugust

Surely the timeline is all wrong for young Jolyons affair with the dressmaker, she says she didn’t contact him when she found she was pregnant because she saw the notice of his marriage, so why aren’t the twins older than June and not younger?

June is young Jolyon’s step daughter, by Frances’ first marriage.

I think he looks a bit young for the role.

Why are the twins so different in height? I realise the boy might be a bit bigger than his sister, but he looks at least a couple of years older.

Yes. I agree luluaugust. I didn't know the story as I didn't watch it when the original version was on TV, but gave up on the first episode of this new one, which seemed very "Bridgerton".

Then a friend told me that the Damien Lewis version was on NF and I was smitten after about 20 minutes of episode 1. The acting alone knocked socks off this newer version.

Surely the timeline is all wrong for young Jolyons affair with the dressmaker, she says she didn’t contact him when she found she was pregnant because she saw the notice of his marriage, so why aren’t the twins older than June and not younger?

I agree sparklefizz. This new one is obviously expensive and trying to take on the Gilded Age but strikes too many wrong notes: language use and personal appearances/hair and dress styles.

I can't recommend highly enough The Forsyte Saga starring Damien Lewis as Soames, which is on Netflix and also ITVX (thanks Littleannie)

The acting is superb, the costumes fabulous, and I love the old carriages and cars. I have binged it and now feel bereft that it's finished.

It is brilliant

It's also on ITVX Sparklefizz, for anyone who hasn't got Netflix. I agree Damien Lewis is excellent.

Bluecat

I am always wary of anything described as a "re-imagining." They're usually very annoying. I remember watching the 1960s dramatisation when I was a teenager but we recently watched the 2003 version, which was excellent. Damien Lewis as Soames, seething with repressed rage and desire!

I might give the new version a whirl but my expectations are low.

The Damien Lewis version is on NF under the title "The Forsyte Saga".

I have watched episode 1 of The Forsytes, and it's not a patch on the Damien Lewis version which I began watching this afternoon.

eddiecat78
That's funny, considering it was made in black and white!

Littleannie

I have been watching the original series on YouTube. The computer generated subtitles are hilarious. Every time someone says Forsytes, the subtitles come up as foresights or four sites. The actresses all have cut glass accents and flounce around completely over-acting!

I know 2 actors who worked with Nyree Dawn Porter and said she always insisted on wearing full 1960s makeup (including blue eyeshadow).

I have rewatched the 60’s version quite recently and am watching the new version as a costume drama. The original has long scenes, more close ups and lots and lots of proper conversations. Each version reflects the time it was made as do the actors. Everyone’s teeth are far to good now!!

I have been watching the original series on YouTube. The computer generated subtitles are hilarious. Every time someone says Forsytes, the subtitles come up as foresights or four sites. The actresses all have cut glass accents and flounce around completely over-acting!

I loved the Galsworthy books and the 1960s series, but this channel 5 first episode was dreadful. Wooden acting. I am so disappointed. Everything was wrong except the beautiful costumes.
It must be so strange for Susan Hampshire to play an elderly aristocrat when she was the lovely Fleur.in the original series.

The original series is on YouTube.

BoadiceaJones I like your analysis, that is how I see Soames and Irene too.

eddiecat78

I was only 10 when it first came out but remember watching avidly with my mum. Considering that's nearly 60 years I'm surprised I can remember so much detail from it.
I think Soames' rape of Irene was only alluded to rather than graphic and at the time I was rather unsure about what had actually happened!

It was only alluded to in the books - as I recall something along the lines of Soames 'asserting his rights' . What a terrible phrase that is, seen through a modern lens. Nyree Dawn Porter was perfect as Irene, who had brown eyes and blonde hair. Gina McKee didn't seem to fit the character, but the production was excellent - as was Damien Lewis.

I am always wary of anything described as a "re-imagining." They're usually very annoying. I remember watching the 1960s dramatisation when I was a teenager but we recently watched the 2003 version, which was excellent. Damien Lewis as Soames, seething with repressed rage and desire!

I might give the new version a whirl but my expectations are low.

I watched it but have no idea who anybody is and there seems a lot of characters to try and remember.

I'm not sure I like it and am far too young to know about the previous series. My mum and nanna loved the original.

nightowl

In that case you might enjoy it GrannyGravy, because it bears no resemblance to either . I agree LadyGaGa, the books are wonderful, and the original series followed them closely.

Wiki says it's only loosely based on the books, taking the characters & relationships.
There were a lot of hunting scenes in the books ( & a tragic hunting accident). I rather think it will be a polo accident in this series.

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I've watched Episode One and will continue viewing.

But I do think that it's probably best to just forget the previous adaptations - and the book - and just watch it as though it's just another Channel 5 drama series.

It's a pleasant enough hour and the Bristol scenario is interesting to see.
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965 years seems a pretty long life!

I watched it last night, it was really good, the costumes were superb. You need to forget about Nyree Dawn Porter, this is a very different adaption, just great. Do you not watch different versions of Shakespeare plays?

Oreo

Aldom

Aveline sadly, the lovely Nyree Dawn Porter died on April 10th 2001.
Born 1036. Too young to die.

1036 to 2001 isn’t a short life🤭

It's less than the "3 score years & ten".
34 years after she first played Fleur. Doesn't seem long to me.