aramis-112-804880 "The Forsyte Saga" is a term vaguely applied to a multi-novel series by John Galsworthy. It turns up a lot in old book sales. The thing was first filmed as an Errol Flynn flick then remade in the 60s back when British television was all videotape or badly filmed exteriors--and its soap-opera plotting kicked off the American love of all things "Masterpiece Theater"-ish. I haven't seen either of the earlier versions, so I can spare you any comparisons.On with the show."The Forsyte Saga" is a saga indeed. It's chock full of Forsytes, a family that must be the size of the House of Saud. Apparently in the dead center, Damian Lewis plays Soames, a pennypincher talked into building a house for 8000 pounds by Ioann Gruffudd, playing a rising architect. Well, apparently they didn't have laws protecting consumers from predatory contractors as Gruffudd's architect robs Soames blind, producing a house for more than twelve thousand pounds. It's hard to like people like that.Not only is Gruffudd siphoning off all Soames' money, he's seducing Soames' wife, and she falls for his charms, even though the rat is engaged to her best friend (who introduced them). It's hard to like people like that.Soames wants to keep his wife so when he learns about her affair and her plans to leave he hopes to win her back--misguidedly--by FORCING his connubial affections on her. It's hard to like people like that.By the end of this interminable saga, one is left musing on how much dynamite it would take to blow up all those Forsytes. It's amazing Galsworthy could create so many characters and not have one of them I'd invite into my home . . . apart, perhaps, from the jilted fiancé, who, since she was also abandoned by her father for her governess at an early age, is the only Forsyte who might deserve being warned about the dynamite charges laid under all the rest.As with the thieving, scheming architect, no expense was spared on the project. So if opulence is your bag, this is a big, creamy, decadent desert. But it left me with indigestion.

Richard Bailey Prior to Downton Abbey, this was the best drama series of the last twenty years. I appreciate that's a bold statement, but it really was that impressive. Many years since i'd seen the black and white TV series, that ran for so long it became a little tiresome. Damian Lewis was nothing but captivating as Soames, playing him in a way that at times you questioned whether he was the victim or the villain. The casting of Gina McKee at the time I wasn't crazy about, but seeing it over a few times I find her pretty good. Nyree Dawn Porter will never be bettered as Irene.Series one 10/10Series two 6/10

stuart-halliday Comparisons between the 60s version of this splendid work and the latest one are difficult because they were both great. I have really enjoyed the last version especially as regards the performances of Damian Lewis and Gina McKee.One previous contributor said that he found himself almost liking Soames which 'we were not supposed to do'. Is that right? Galsworthy intended The Forsytes to be representative of the upper middle class with some bad aspects - arrogance, lack of sentiment, conscious always of their respectability - but also with a positive side - sturdy, determined, ambitious, but ultimately concerned with ownership and property. Soames is an extreme example of his kind, to the extent that he regards people - especially his wife - as potential property. Irene, on the other hand, represents the new force which, along with the effects of WWI and the rise of the Welfare State, nationalisation etc will soon overthrow the old order.Superficially at least, Soames is the villain. He appears to terrorise his wife, physically abuses her and more. However, is there another side to this? Irene marries him quite cynically for materialistic reasons. It's not merely a question of 'not loving' him. He positively makes her flesh creep right from the start. We are given the idea that she is forced to marry him by her stepmother and by her poverty. Force her?? As the story goes forward, we see that she is a strong character - no-one can force her to do anything. Her poverty? She has £50 per annum from her father. This might not seem a lot, but it was about what an artisan earned in a year at that time (on which he was expected to keep a family). Despite his treating her as property, Soames does love Irene in his way and he does try his best to give her what she wants. In return she is openly unfaithful to him, denies him children and even conjugal rights. As regards his bad treatment of her, she certainly returns the compliment in kind. She could be looked on as something of a vampire - she sucks the life force from Soames and old Jolyan and wantonly destroys the happiness of her friend June and Bossiney (though admittedly he goes along willingly). As regards her own son her hatred of Soames tempers her dislike of Fleur so even her son is badly affected by her force of character and neurosis.I think Galsworthy, as well as writing a simple commentary on Edwardian and Victorian life was also trying to divide his readers into factions - the pro-Soames camp who like the old ways, and the pro-Irene (the 'new woman' camp) who wanted change.Whatever, I have to congratulate Gina McKee. She carried off that complex character of Irene so well. Her enigmatic Mona Lisa smile, did it display goodness? Or the opposite? I'm still not sure

maxineski This saga of the extended Forsyte family is full of 3-dimensional characters. You fall in love with some, are charmed by others, and a few bad guys exist to keep things tense. The six episodes are complete in themselves. Of course, you crave more information on at least one of the story lines, but, you can wait until tomorrow to continue. You will feel sated, and, at the same time, want more. A soap opera at its finest.If you are as charmed by our young architect as much as I, you must see Horation Hornblower. It is an 8 part DVD set that is based on the classic C. S. Forester novels. They are books, and now a DVD series, for people of all ages. You must be prepared to applaud his bravery, delight in the misfortunes which, of course, must come to the villain in each episode. The repeated theme music will warm your heart. Am I being to soapy? Have a sense of humor. A word to the wise . . .