Granada Television's adaptation of The Forsyte Saga achieved the seemingly impossible in Spring 2002, matching the BBC's 35-year-old black-and-white classic version with a richly cast and superbly directed take on John Galsworthy's first two novels. The success of these six 90-minute episodes proved that despite the current emphasis on mini-series and dramas developed around the "hot" actor of the moment, our appetite--and attention span--still craves ensemble pieces which are given the space and time to develop in today???s focus-group-led scheduling. It also demonstrates that nothing generates television gold like a compelling family drama crammed with lust, rape, class conflict and the insuperable power of money.

The Forsyte Saga is nothing if not superior soap opera. It could all have gone horribly wrong, haunted by the spectre of its BBC predecessor--a television legend for anyone over 40. Instead, it succeeds entirely on its own merits with scarcely a weak link; from Stephen Mallatratt's taut and fluid script to David Moore's carefully measured, seamess direction.

Risks were taken to banish the old ghosts, particularly in the casting. In the event, Damian Lewis' repressed Soames and Gina McKee as his ill-matched bride, the enigmatic Irene, are inspired choices delivering complex portraits of unhappy, damaged human beings who deserve our sympathy. In a sea of marvellous cameos and splendid acting, the top honours go to Corin Redgrave and Rupert Graves for their hauntingly sensitive interpretations of Old and Young Jolyon, as well as to Amanda Root's increasingly exasperated Winifred; and Gillian Kearney's sharply intelligent and worldly June. All rounded characters without a weakly written cipher in sight. --Piers Ford

For those how have commented that the new series of The Forsyte Saga has surpasses the old 1967 version obviously have no holding for solid acting capabilities. Yes, the 1967 Saga may have been primitive in its camera work and sets, but come on it was 1967! Television dramas were a risky business, and rather than spend money on sets, companies relied on the truly amazing qualities of their actors capabilities. The original series is more like watching a play than a television production. The cast use their body language, gestures, subconcious emotions and facial expressions to convey feelings and points otherwised not said in the dialogue. There is no need for fanciful backdrops, we had pure Galsworthy dialogue in every scene. The new series, which i also enjoyed for different reasons, has a different approach, it has more open comedy rather than the deep hidden wit of 67. The modern version relies on comic relief characters such as Darty and Winifred. The new series definitely lacks the charm that the characters had in 67. However, the new series does bring about perhaps an overall better quality in film and backdrop. I cannot deny that the sets and clothing are absolutely remarkable, with the use of light and makeup to convey the cold life of the Victorian home. To give both series credit, one should watch both and appreciate them for their different apsects. Personally, Margaret Tyzack is the best Winifred.

STARRING: Damian Lewis, Ioan Gruffudd, Rupert Graves, Corin Redgrave, Wendy Craig and Gina McKee.

ITV's The Forsyte Saga is the TV adapted version of John Galsworthy's two-out-of-the-three Fosryte Saga novels. It surpasses the BBC 1960s version by a long shot. The Forsyte Family is a wealthy Victorian family with little care for those around them and absolute greed in gaining the best for the family name. However the family divides after a scandal involving a young Irene Heron (Gina McKee - The Lost Prince). Irene marries the lawyer in the family, Soames Forsyte (Damian Lewis - Band of Brothers), an epitome of all things Victorian and old and a favourite of the old Victorian aunts, Ann, Juley (Wendy Craig - Butterflies) and Hester. However the scandal which Soames causes by thinking he owns Irene, spilts the family for generations to come. The Forsyte Saga chronicles the life of this one family from the 1870s up to the early Edwardian Period. Be prepared for many deaths, marriages, scandals and relationships in this gripping and nostalgic look at life for the wealthy in the 19th Century.

The series is just plain wonderful. However, I couldn't give more than one star for the simple reason, that the picture quality of the DVD is very poor. I would suggest to watch the series on TV or use your VCR, but don't buy the DVD, especially if you own a plasma TV, as we do.

The Forsytes. A family that had everything power, money, and influence. At the heart of family is Soames Forsyte (Damien Lewis)a staunch upholder of the old morale code and a rich and succesfull solicitor in the family law firm, He has everything that would be considered a success, except for one thing- a wife, so when he meets the beautifull but poor Irene Herron he dicides to have her, but when Irene begins a passionate love affair with the poor but handsome Phillip Bossiney (Ioan Gruffudd) fiance to cousin June(Gillian Kearney) it has devestaing consequences not only for the jilted partners, but for the whole Forsyte family, who are cruelly rippped apart.

Having not read John Galsworthy's books or seen the original BBC series of "The Forsyte Saga" as yet, I am unable to make a fair comparison. However, I will say that this series has inspired me to read the novel.... aswell as practice the piano and pronounce my consenants!

This amazing story is (inevitably) historically accurate, and is in my opinion totally believable. The casting seemed to me to be unquestionable and since the majority will fail to read the lengthy saga, I would suggest that entering into the story with an open mind will only allow the audience to enjoy this truly moving story of love and possession the more.

For all those interested in period drama, the DVD/VHS is well worth acquiring!!