The Forsyte saga

It is late in the Victorian era, and two branches of an upper-crust family--the "good" Forsytes, headed by well-meaning Old Jolyon, and the "bad" Forsytes, headed by crusty barrister James--are at odds, eternally squabbling. The 'saga' focuses on the younger generations - Young Jolyon, Soames, Winifred, June - and their struggles with emotional repression, the rejection of Victorian mores, and the sea changes taking place as a less repressive society emerged. Every family may indeed have its vicissitudes, but few have as many as John Galsworthy's Forsytes.

by John Galsworthy ; written by Stephen Mallatratt and Jan McVerry ; produced by Sita Williams ; directed by Christopher Menaul and David Moore ; a Granada Television Production.

Based on the books by John Galsworthy.

Originally broadcast on October 6, 13, 20 and 27 and November 3, 10 and 17 of 2002, as episodes of the PBS television program Masterpiece Theatre.

Special features: Making of 'The Forsyte Saga' [featurette] (21 min.); Behind-the-scenes photo gallery ; John Galsworthy biography [text feature]; Cast biographies [text feature].

Damian Lewis (Soames), Rupert Graves (Young Jolyon), Gina McKee (Irene), Corin Redgrave (Old Jolyon), Ioan Gruffudd (Phillip Bosinney), Gillian Kearney (June), Amanda Root (Winifred), Ben Miles (Dartie), John Carlisle (James), Barbara Flynn (Emily), Judy Campbell (Aunt Ann), Wendy Craig (Aunt Juley), Ann Bell (Aunt Hester).

DVD, Region 1, Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo, widescreen presentation aspect ratio 1.85:1.

Closed-captioned.

Director of photography, Sue Gibson, Alan Almond ; film editor, Tony Cranstoun, Anthony Ham ; composer, Geoffrey Burgon ; captioning by Media Access Group at WGBH.