Forsyte Saga – Set One & Two (2002 –
2004)
Picture: B-
Sound: B- Extras: C Episodes: B
Having watched dozens of British TV Mini-Series, old and
new, one thing that has been apparent is that as 16 X 9 and digital High
Definition succeed the analog PAL format as the way their programming is
produced, there is the possibility it would loose its distinction among world
television production. Watching the
first two series/sets of The Forsyte Saga (2002 – 2003), what is
possibly repressed from the older classics of the past starts to resurface
here.
In the first six-part story, the rich and privileged
Soames Forsyte (Damian Lewis) falls in love with Irene (Gina McKee), but he is
not emotionally prepared for this and when she does n to react well, he becomes
more fragile and confused. This leads
to anger and possessiveness as architect Phil Bosinney (Ioan Gruffudd, from the
new Fantastic Four feature film) is hired to build their new house. Unfortunately, he and Irene fall for each
other, tearing Soames’ theoretical housed apart for good. The series becomes a well-paced character
study of class division, masculinity, feminity and is one of the best British
imports in years. Lewis is inevitably a
thankless man, gutted out before he had the chance to be something more than
happy, with his wealth and new home as much of a prison as a celebration. McKee has a harrowing role herself, handling
with as much dignity as possible just a sample of how women were mistreated at
the time and really still are. Some
things change, while others remain the same.
This portion runs over a decade or so before World War I. Rupert Graves also stars.
The second tale picks up years later with Soames
embittered and with children and a new wife, but their new daughter Fleur (Emma
Griffiths Malin) and her involvement with Jon (Lee Williams) becomes the new
focus of this leg of the tale. Jon is
the child of Irene and Jolyon, making for even more tension and the opening of
wounds that will never heal. In all
cases, what could have turned out to be a run-on melodrama actually manages to
offer more, which is not easy as melodrama (especially in “quality television”
like this) is such an easy and safe route to go on. Instead, it is intelligent TV with some life, soul and believability. That it is not typically “stuffy” like other
such British productions is another plus.
Christopher Menaul and David Moore share directing duties
for the first series, while Andy Wilson helms the entire second set
himself. I give them major credit for
exceptional work, all running seamlessly together, though the second series
takes place about a generation later.
Based on the series of John Galsworthy books, the first series’
teleplays were adaptations by Stephen Mallatratt & Jan McVerry, while the
latter is based on Galsworthy’s To Let by Kate Brooke & Phil
Woods. This is a remake of a very
successful adaptation of the books for British TV in the 1960s holds its own,
though I would love to compare the two, and Acorn has issued that 1969 show, so
we hope to get to it soon.
The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1/16 X 9 image is shot
on digital High Definition video and looks pretty good for it. There is a lack of fine detail and some
hazing from movement here and there, but this reproduces nicely otherwise and a
new standard for how good current 1,080 HD productions can look when careful
consideration is taken in the production process. Cinematographer Sue Gibson, B.S.C. and Alan Almond, B.S.C.,
lensed the first shows, while Almond covered the second himself. Some of the darkness in the second set shows
some limits as the shooting is a bit darker, but the HD can only handle so much
of it. Otherwise, the quality is equal
throughout. The Dolby Digital 2.0
Stereo has healthy Pro Logic surrounds in both sets, combining for a fine
viewing experience that is British TV’s next logic step. Geoffrey Burgon does the scores for all the
episodes here,
Extras for the first set on DVD 1 only include text on all
the actors, a John Galsworthy Biography, a stills gallery, and Making Of
program that lasts over 20 minutes. DVD
1 of the second set has almost the same extras, except that a look at the last
set is included, as well as new stills for the new series. The Forsyte Saga remake is well worth
your time and money, even if this is not the TV you are used to watching.
- Nicholas Sheffo
