The Forsytes

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.

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.

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.

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

The original series is on YouTube.

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.

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 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

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).

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

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.

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

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

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.

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?

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

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.

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

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

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!

Bruce Forsythe did his own hilarious version. I would like to see it again.

Allira

Who can forget Nyree Dawn Porter!

I'm not sure, might record it.

You've hit the nail on the head. When the original is perfect it spoils the follow up for me.

I watched it twice but could not get Nyree Dawn Porter out of my head and don't think I'll be tuning in again.

Enjoying it, because I never watched any other versions!

Sparklefizz

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

I so agree, I resisted watching the version with Damien Lewis as Soames as I remember Eric Porter as Soames and he was brilliant. However, Damien Lewis soon won me over and he was an excellent Soames, I also loved the costumes and the supporting cast. However I’m not warming to the Channel 5 version so far.

JamesandJon33

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!

You are right, it is very far removed from the book, Irene was actually a gifted pianist not a dancer and Jolly and Holly weren’t twins, Jolly was older than Holly. In the book Man Of Property young Jolyon was already estranged from his father because of his affair with Helene who was the governess to June who was Jolyon’s natural daughter and June lived with her grandfather, Jolyon senior after the death of her mother Frances in a riding accident. Helene was the mother of Jolly and Holly and Frances Jolyon’s first wife was the mother of June.