The Forsyte Saga

The Forsyte Saga is the collective title of a series of novels by John Galsworthy. The name has become almost synonymous with the tradition of "classic" television dramatisations, as a result of the BBC's marathon 1967 serialisation. However, the book had been brought to the screen earlier, by Hollywood as That Forsyte Woman (starring Greer Garson).

Adaptations

The phenomenal success of the BBC's dramatisation of the novels can largely be attributed to its sheer length. Both adapted for television and produced by the highly-experienced Donald Wilson, it was originally shown in twenty-six episodes on Sunday evenings, thus becoming, effectively, a soap opera. It was shown all over the world, and became the first British television programme to be sold to Russia. It was the last major British drama serial to be shot in black and white, despite the fact that the BBC was already gearing up for full time colour broadcasting. In 1992 it was released in the UK on an 8-volume set of videos, and on region 2 DVD in 2004.

Related Topics:
Donald Wilson - Soap opera - Russia - Black and white - 1992 - Videos - DVD - 2004

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In 2002 the first three books were adapted by Granada Television for the ITV network, in a manner truer to Galsworthy's original work. Additional funding for this production was provided by American PBS station WGBH, the BBC version having been a success on PBS in the early 1970s. A second series followed in 2003 and these have also been released on DVD.

Related Topics:
2002 - Granada Television - ITV - American - PBS - WGBH - 1970s - 2003

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There was also a 1990 BBC radio dramatisation, comprising a 75-minute opening episode followed by 22 hour-long episodes, entitled The Forsyte Chronicles. It was the most expensive radio drama serial ever broadcast due to its length and its big-name cast which included Dirk Bogarde and Diana Quick. The radio series was rerun on BBC 7 radio in 2004.

Related Topics:
1990 - Radio - Dirk Bogarde - Diana Quick - Rerun - BBC 7 - 2004

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