The Forsytes

The glorious 1967 tv version........Kenneth More, Eric Porter, Susan Hampshire and a very young Martin Jarvis plus Margaret Tyzack, Terence Alexander........

The scene were an elderly Irenè walks into the garden thinking the equally elderly Jolyon is dozing but he had peacefully died.

All in black & white too.

Luckily I've never seen any of the previous versions, so I'm enjoying this!

I’ve watched episode 4 of this version and I’m out. Soames married to Irene in secret, planning to live in Paris and Irene being very lovey dovey with Soames when she couldn’t bear him to touch her. It bears absolutely no resemblance to the book.

I'm just watching the Damian Lewis version for the first time and thoroughly enjoying it.
Damian manages to make himself appear totally unattractive. Now that's what I call acting ......
😉😊

For me Soames was Eric Porter. I absolutely loved that version all those years ago. Not keen on Damien Lewis, he just wasn't cold and sinister enough. Nyree Dawn Porter was the perfect Irene. When John met Fleur - oh dear who would have thought!

I'm still watching it but then it is new to me as I haven't read the books or seen any of the previous ones.

I found the ballet scenes a bit odd. I presume that is showing Soames as being a bit possessive. I like June.

I won't be watching it. For me, nothing can come close to the original.

After catching up on period dramas from the 70s on YouTube (too busy living at the time…) after watching the first episode of this drama, I completely forgot about it, which shows the measure of involvement from me. On the other hand, I have just finished episode four of Hard Times 1977 and couldn’t wait to get back to it.

Visually nice, but that’s it. Jolyon looks as if he has sprung from the illustrated cover of a Mills & Boon novel, almost a caricature of a handsome man. Not enough I’m afraid 👎

JamesandJon33

June43 The only similarity to the book are the characters names. What a stupid idea and who commissioned it? Galsworthy wrote a splendid novel….why change it..and not for the better

The changes are ridiculous and make no sense.

HelterSkelter1

The 2002 version had rather a different ending from the book. But it made me want to read the whole saga again. Including the final books detailing Fleurs later life. That will keep me quiet for this winter. I will have to order them from the library. I think I took my copies to the charity shop years ago.

That is my plan too, like you I had the set of novels but they went to a charity shop years ago. They are free on Kindle.

I’m re-watching the 2002 version, and marvel that on the whole, the characters don’t age much.

A caption comes up ‘5 years later’ and after a while ‘7 years later’.

Seeing as Soames ‘courted’ Irene for quite a while before persuading her to marry him, I worked out many years must have passed by.

But they all look the same, Irene, Soames, Winifred, Monty, even the old aunts look the same and both Juley and the other one haven’t yet died off.

And the children have become adults.

Being looked after by all these servants must be good for the ageing process,

The 2002 version had rather a different ending from the book. But it made me want to read the whole saga again. Including the final books detailing Fleurs later life. That will keep me quiet for this winter. I will have to order them from the library. I think I took my copies to the charity shop years ago.

June43 The only similarity to the book are the characters names. What a stupid idea and who commissioned it? Galsworthy wrote a splendid novel….why change it..and not for the better

Not much on tv, so the last couple of nights started watching the Damian Lewis version again.

I watched it back in 2002, but can’t remember quite a lot of the ins and outs.

It’s very watchable.

Gina McKee still looks like she’s sucking a lemon most of the time.🍋

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?

In the book Jolyon had an affair with June’s Nanny and had two children with her, they weren’t twins Jolly was older than Holly. June lived with her mother after she divorced Jolyon and when her mother died she went to live with her grandfather, Jolyon senior. The story has been changed drastically.

I am watching and loving the 2002 version with Damien Lewis. Incredible cast, scenery and costumes. Gina McCee not quite as I imagine Irene but no matter.
Thank you everyone who recommended it. Lots of episodes to keep be occupied on these dark evenings.

nightowl

I find the notion of Soames playing polo almost as ludicrous as Irene being a ballet dancer. I think the whole thing is just daft.

Yes, the original Soames would no more have played polo than walked naked down the street.

Eric Porter portrayed him to perfection, buttoned up, repressed, humourless….

The latest one is far too good looking and dare I say it normal?

Risible, is the word for it I think

I find the notion of Soames playing polo almost as ludicrous as Irene being a ballet dancer. I think the whole thing is just daft.

I loved the novels and the 1960s b&w version. I have watched the two episodes so far of this version, but it feels rather as if it’s made for the American market. I shall watch the third episode and decide whether to carry on. It irritates me that Jolyon has such a modern look. And in strict Victorian society, would Soames really have invited a prospective wife to come and see him sweating in his close-fitting polo outfit? I wouldn’t have thought so. Still, some nice torsos on show…

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.

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.

Enjoying it, because I never watched any other versions!

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.

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