Films/DVD Asylum

The Forsyte Saga

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Victor Khomenko

(M)

Watching the Brideshead, it is impossible not to recall another great TV production - The Forsyte Saga.
I remember it from the time it was shown on Russian TV in the early seventies... 71?
Many say that is the best drama series in the history of TV, and I would say based on my memory that it is one strong contender.
It IS available on a DVD, but the price tag of over $100 used means some serious decision would have to be made.
Anyone remembers seeing it?

Follow Ups:

Re: The Forsyte Saga - rico 08:21:28 04/12/04 (0)
This has been redone by PBS and is quite a good effort. After the episodes were shown two years ago they were rerun again last Fall to prepare us for the second set of episodes, which were broadcast in February. The first set of the remake is now out on DVD with the second set yet to come.
I thought this as good as the first, which I borrowed on VHS from the library just after I saw the remake. The only complaint I have is that this Irenee does not come close to Nyree Dawn Porter's magnificent performance, 60's eye makeup and all.
Re: The Forsyte Saga - grinagog 02:00:21 04/12/04 (4)
Yep, I remember my Mom in the late 1960's being just devastated when that show finally finished, no VCRs back then
I saw one episode replayed some years later and this was GREAT TV!
Reviewing the Forsyte Saga will reinforce one sad fact; TV has been arround for decades and very seldom has produced shows of this quality
One things for sure, people loved that show, and thats just the shot in the arm the medium needed back then (just like I Love Lucy in the States; everyone with eyes and ears and a TV tuned in)
Patrick McGoohan in "The Prisoner" series, and Dennis Potters "Singing Detective" and "Pennies from Heaven" series (not to be confused with the wretched Steve Martin film) were also awesome
The Magic seldom strikes, TV is a much abused medium
Grins
- Another excellent one: "Upstairs, downstairs" (early '70s)... - orejones 09:52:51 04/12/04 (2)
  ...and as British as British will ever come!
  Regards
  BF
  - upstairs... (Open in New Window)
  - Re: Another excellent one: "Upstairs, downstairs" (early '70s)... - rico 10:31:30 04/12/04 (1)
    These are all out on DVD and I cherish the whole series. My favorite episode id the one where the son asks his father's secretary to have lunch and Hudson refuses to serve them the rare Bordeaux wine from the family cellar.
    - The wine theme is apparently hot subject with Brits - Victor Khomenko 10:39:05 04/12/04 (0)
      You might remember the wine tasting in Brideshead... two boys opening bottles of Lafite 1898 or some such vintage as their first taste of claret.
      But so far the scene with John Guilgud interplaying with the young dinner guest is probably the most hilarious in the last night' episodes. Just watching their two faces was an incredible joy.
- Yep... - Victor Khomenko 06:10:54 04/12/04 (0)
  When the Saga was shown on then Soviet TV everyone we knew was glued to the tube, I believe there were 26 episodes, and you simply couldn't afford to miss any of them - and enywhere you went people talked about it.
  That is what I would call high end television... and what do we have today? Friends? From something that used to stimulate minds and imagination we slid to primitive motor instincts.
  No wonder today you will hear people say "I don't watch TV!" WITH PRIDE!
  There was no reason for that when something like the Saga was on the tube.

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