samkydd

I picked up a still sealed boxed set of this series on VHS recently for next to nothing and I've been thoroughly absorbed watching "fifty turbulent years of a wealthy English family". I remember it being on the TV in the 60s, but was too young to watch or even understand any of it.

There are some great actors in the series including Kenneth More, Martin Jarvis, Susan Hampshire, Nyree Dawn Porter and the brilliant Eric Porter and Nicholas Pennell plus a supporting cast of household names like Cyril Luckham, Margaret Tyzack. Terence Alexander, John Bennett, Christopher Benjamin and many more.

Had it not been shot in black and white it probably would have stood many repeats over the years. The year it was first broadcast was when the upper middle classes were starting to buy colour televisions, so it was a real lack of forsight on the part of the BBC (excuse the pun).

This is the sort of serial that people used to enjoy staying in to watch over many weeks, and I'm very pleased I found it.

The very expensive remake version in 2002 I've been told was a pile of kack compared to the original, so I don't think I'll bother with that one thank you very much.

"...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"

Maralyn

Yes it was a super serial and I was hooked on it as I was then in my early teens. I adored Eric Porter as Soames but did think Damian Lewis gave a good performance in the same part in the more recent version. Yes the first version is the best but don't be too hard on the later until you've seen it as there are some pretty fine performances by supporting actors. I am waiting for the price to come down a bit before I buy a copy!

Maralyn

winsfordtown

I read somewhere that the BBC had to choose between the 'Forsythe Saga' or 'Paul Temple' as to which new series could be filmed in colour and they chose the latter because it was BBC 1 at peak time.

narabdela

In the days before time-shifting, it was one of those programs that people organised their diaries around. I remember all the excitement generated by Soames' rape of Irene. Tame nowadays, but considered graphic at the time.

donna

Bet it would still grab the audiences Nara, Id watch it for one. I thought Nyree Dawn Porter was lovely any pics of her anyone.

samkydd

In The Protectors she drove one of my favourite cars, the Maserati engined Citroen SM.

"...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"

donna

thanks Sam she looks a bit Sophia there does she not?

Fellwanderer

Apparently, it was the last drama the BBC did in B/W.

Episodes 5-12 can be found on TheBox :: Login for anyone who is interested. Pity the first 4 episodes haven't been uploaded yet.

All the best
FELL

A signature is no substitute for a life

scholes

As I recall it was a must see for my parents. It ran on Sunday evenings I believe.
I remember this because as a chorister I used to return from evensong just in time for the intro.
How many times was the series shown on British TV?
I remember the music vividly.

vanmunchen

I managed to get the DVD box set at Amsterdam airport last week for only 17 Euros!