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The Forsytes

(96 Posts)
eddiecat78 Sun 19-Oct-25 12:15:23

A new version of the Forsyte Saga starts on channel 5 tomorrow.
Will you be watching?
I won't as memories of the original (1960s) are still firmly stuck in my head

JamesandJon33 Fri 31-Oct-25 12:03:51

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!

luluaugust Thu 30-Oct-25 22:18:47

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

Aveline Wed 29-Oct-25 10:40:13

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

Calendargirl Wed 29-Oct-25 10:39:57

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.

Sparklefizz Wed 29-Oct-25 10:34:18

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.

luluaugust Wed 29-Oct-25 09:54:25

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?

Aveline Wed 29-Oct-25 09:48:00

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.

Sparklefizz Wed 29-Oct-25 08:52:17

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

Littleannie Sat 25-Oct-25 18:49:29

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

Sparklefizz Sat 25-Oct-25 17:10:42

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.

Littleannie Fri 24-Oct-25 19:19:50

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

eddiecat78 Fri 24-Oct-25 11:42:44

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).

luluaugust Fri 24-Oct-25 11:17:11

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!!

Littleannie Fri 24-Oct-25 09:54:29

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!

HelterSkelter1 Thu 23-Oct-25 19:29:02

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.

Littleannie Thu 23-Oct-25 12:01:54

The original series is on YouTube.

nightowl Wed 22-Oct-25 23:44:45

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

LovesBach Wed 22-Oct-25 23:35:55

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.

Bluecat Wed 22-Oct-25 21:39:37

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.

Millie22 Wed 22-Oct-25 21:32:21

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.

valdavi Wed 22-Oct-25 19:56:56

nightowl

In that case you might enjoy it GrannyGravy, because it bears no resemblance to either grin. 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.

Barbadosbelle Wed 22-Oct-25 19:56:23

.

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.
.

Kate1949 Wed 22-Oct-25 19:20:33

965 years seems a pretty long life!

mabon2 Wed 22-Oct-25 19:08:41

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?

valdavi Wed 22-Oct-25 18:57:24

Oreo

Aldom

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

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.