"THE FORSYTE SAGA". Screen version of the novel of D. Galsworthy.

I welcome readers and readers of my post!

Many years I conform to the personal rule "Read the Book — Watch the Movie" for fixing, so to speak, of memory. I read generally classical works therefore about viewing of the movie, is where to clear up. Happens that I watch even on some screen versions.

The last novel read by me – "The Forsyte Saga" by John Galsworthy. The author wrote it 15 years, publishing parts. In 2021 the full version of the book 100 years will be executed. Galsworthy was very much loved in the Soviet Union. If you read further, you will understand why. Work, of course, monumental.

According to this book I watched 2 screen versions. And began to picturize this novel in the twenties the 20th century (still a mute cinematograph).

Here it about what:

"Semicentennial history of family Forsaytov, since the Victorian era till 1920th years. Human passions: the jealousy, unfaithfulness, alienation, stains reveal on a grandiose background of cultural, social changes, political chaos and personal prosperity. Forsayta - strong clan; passion, beauty, art - for them something alien, even dangerous. When all this interferes in united family together with Irène - the wife of one of Soms's pillars and her friend, the architect Bosini, the drama which affected all Forsaytov begins to be developed."

Old Forsaytov of 10 people of brothers and sisters. Half of them family. You represent what this abyss of the people. When during reading on pages there was an incidental character, I sometimes stopped and thought, who is he and as who has enough. Galsworthy made a family tree Forsaytov.

Forsayta are rich men, people who never worked hands. Among them there are lawyers, dealers in tea, owners of the real estate, etc. They are very well-founded, but protect and appreciate each pound. They are owners. That mine, I will squeeze out of mine all. They do not recognize and do not understand feelings. Live the clan, not especially letting strangers. Are dependent on opinion of light.

In the center of a plot the author opposes the bright representative of a forsaytizm - Soms and his cousin young Jolyon who is beaten out from family by that the artist at once. Moreover leaves the wife with the child for the sake of love to the governess and becomes the persona non grata. John Galsworthy himself came from family, so-called, Forsaytov. In the novel he opens their negative sides.

Soms is a clear head what light did not see before. Lawyer, far-sighted, prudent, strict and haughty. Runs business of numerous family. All life honesty will remain the business card of its reputation. An example over endurance and self-control. When at mature age it was asked: "You what in youth did not play the fool?". His answer was obvious: "No". Soms Stary's uncle Jolyon nicknamed it the owner.

Soms marries the beautiful woman Irène. For the rest of the natural it will keep to her painful, passionate feeling. She is the creative person who is thinly feeling beauty noble and graceful. Irène, having become Soms's wife, understood soon what cruel mistake she made, having married him without love in view of complex material problems (history is old as the world). No, its Soms on the very much loves. He is not rude to it, does not beat, does not change. Soms not greedy. He, in my opinion, even never reproached her that it poor. But he is an owner. She is his slave. Its feelings do not interest him. He speaks what dresses to it to wear, go on walk from uncles or to stay at home with it.
For it painting – art, for it – capital investments and decoration of the hall. He waits from it for a kind word, a tender look. And it is a cold statue. When already ask mature, but still beautiful Irène how she managed to keep the beauty, she will answer that who does not live, that also does not grow old.
Eventually Irène began to hate the husband. When she refuses to him matrimonial proximity, he all the same prevails (well, you understood me) because she is his wife and is obliged to carry out that the husband wants. He regrets then, worries, but the act loses it forever. To last Soms will not be able to understand why she did not fall in love with it why she left that was not enough for it. I for some reason both during reading and in its movie was sorry.

As the beauty Irène will find desired freedom, will destroy a social framework, will find the happiness and will find harmony near the person, related to it on spirit as again life will push off them with Soms through their children from second marriages, you can learn, having watched the movie.

1. "The Forsyte Saga", 1967, Great Britain, 26 series on ~ 50 minutes.


Black-and-white picture. Very close to the book, everything is in detail shown. At the beginning of each series one of the main characters explains essence of a forsaytizm, acquaints with heroes. It very much was pleasant to me. Especially, who did not read, everything will be clear.
In a game of some actors there is a lot of theatricality in my opinion. Performers all not young play the young characters. These series were the first English program which was purchased by the USSR.







But in more detail I want to tell about the second version. This screen version I watched the first, and then already black-and-white.

2. "The Forsyte Saga", 2002-2003, Great Britain, 13 series on ~ 1 h 10 min.


Very high-quality, talented work. Since the first moments we get to old England at once. The spirit of this era is transmitted completely. It is felt as a naked eye.

And heroes just descended from pages of the book. When you learn what the character is, just takes the breath away to what exact hit. Very much casting was pleasant. For example, at the actor Rupert Greyvz (young Jolyon) beautiful large brown eyes.


At two actresses playing a role of his daughter (at first girls, then adult June), eyes, similar with it.








Only bewilderment causes appearance of the performer of a role Irène.


Galsworthy Irène has a woman of unusual, surprising beauty from which in admiration all male individuals (and not only men's) in a radius of 100 versts. The actress (Geena McKee) coped with a role brilliantly. It showed Irène the modest, lovely, womanly, worthy lady. But, when heroes in the movie speaking about Irène, use a phrase: "SUCH woman!", there is a wish to shrug shoulders and to be surprised.
In the old version actress Nayri Doun Porter really beauty.



In general all actors play is delightful. Especially I want to note Damion Lewis's work (Soms).


As you remember, Soms is a person without emotions externally, but in whom a storm. The actor showed it filigree.

What smart suits! And interior! Forsayta still those bourgeoises. At them is what to look at.





I felt sorry for George Forsythe's hero. Here he was pushed in a corner. In the book it is the joker, the extravagant character. He called family concourses the forsaytsky exchange. "Well, what news from the forsaytsky exchange?". In this screen version he is absolutely imperceptible.

In general in the modern version in comparison with the book reduced much (for example, cut off numerous clan) and changed. It was first rather heavy to look, guessing that for the hero on the screen, even in spite of the fact that I read the novel quite recently. But acting quickly carries away.

And I after all would like to recommend for viewing this screen version.

Thank you that read up!