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  Directed by
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  Specs
  • Widescreen 1.78:1
  • 16:9 Enhanced
  • Dual Layer ( )
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital Stereo
  Subtitles
  • None
  Extras

    The Forsyte Saga - Series 2

    Universal/Universal . R4 . COLOR . 274 mins . M15+ . PAL

      Feature
    Contract

    Series Two of the eminently popular British soap opera set around the turn of the century carries on here into the next generation. Beginning originally in 1874, it’s now 1909 when our main cast from last season have all grown up some (in age at least, if not demeanour). Soames Forsyte and his European wife of half his age have a daughter, Fleur, and at a birthday party for the old matriarch who just won’t die, they meet Irene’s son, John, for the first time. Naturally the two kids hit it off and we flash forward to 1920 when they’s all grown up theyselves and (you guessed it) have fallen in love.

    For the uninitiated (who probably won’t even be reading this review anyway) Irene and Soames were married once, but she was all like headstrong and stuff and they busted up. Unfortunately, Soames never got over it, particularly as his cousin married her after he threw her out and together they had John. So therein lies all manner of political upheaval for the family all ready to fill the four episodes of this fairly successful British period soap drama.

    Last season we were granted six episodes of nearly an hour and a half each, while this time around we get but four episodes of an hour and ten (on average). This makes all the difference to the compression of the series in that last time we suffered a fair bit of clunkiness and aliasing and other foibles throughout, whereas here we definitely get a better quality of visuals.

    The series is one that fans of the ABC will no doubt recognise, although again this DVD has been released through Universal. If you missed it on the box it contains all the selfishness and top hats and power struggles you’ve grown accustomed to with plenty of treachery, family politics, back-stabbing and ultimatums thrown in with the occasional laugh. Fans of the original series (and indeed this season) will no doubt find much to enjoy themselves with here in the usual detailed period outfitting of London circa 1920. This is quality filmmaking from the BBC that brings to realistic life the petty struggles of a family at war with itself and its time.

      Video
    Contract

    As noted, this has a bit more room to breathe with only four shorter episodes spread over two discs, as compared to the six longer ones last time. This means the picture gets a little less granulated throughout and blacks are more solid. Shadow detail is good and helpfully appreciated with so many black dresscoats and funeral garb present (Didn’t I mention characters start to die off?)

    Again we see this series in its full TV aspect of 1.78:1 with 16:9 enhancement. While not the sharpest picture, it’s not all that soft either but we do suffer the occasional burst of minor aliasing. However, this is nothing compared to last season’s transfer to DVD. Also of note are minor mild grain on occasions, though these are infrequent and usually related to outdoor scenes. Some artefacts are present, but again nothing very obtrusive and as a whole the picture quality is a noteable improvement on the last two-disc set.

      Audio
    Contract

    As last time, this has been made for telly, so Dolby Digital stereo is all that’s necessary for the production and it doesn’t let us down soundwise. The period music of singular piano or violin or fully orchestral pieces come across okay, though some piano did sound a little tinny during a scene in Episode One with Soames hobbling down a shit-strewn street in sunny England. I suspect this may have been deliberate to highlight his outdated nature in a modern world (or something) but thought it worth mentioning anyway.

    Dialogue is well delivered and easily understood and there are no problems to report there at all. The limited use of sound effects are naturally culled from the Big Box of Sound Effects most studios seem to have on top of a cupboard somewhere, but for things like old time car horns and fog horns, where else would you look? They sound okay though, are infrequent and do lend themselves somehow to a sense of authenticity. Perfectly adequate sound for this dialogue-driven talk fest.

      Extras
    Contract

    Not a single monocle this time around. We were granted a making of last time around, but this time not a lick.

      Overall  
    Contract

    I can’t imagine anyone would be interested in even reading this review unless they were already familiar with the first season of this series (unless I have a fan base that just thinks my writing rules and they’ll read anything by me they can get their hands on...)

    Is that the chirping of far-off crickets I hear?

    Seriously, if you liked the first season then this has more than enough stuff to compete with it and continue the saga for you. With the majority of the major cast returning here it rolls on well from the first and is a worthy addition to your previous Forsyte Saga DVD. Good performances, incredible attention to detail and a better, cleaner transfer make this an equal to the previous two disker, regardless that there are only the four parts.


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      And I quote...
    "The Forsytes are back in this shorter, faster series with a better transfer for a two-disc set than Season One."
    - Jules Faber
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Nintaus DVD-N9901
    • TV:
          Sony 51cm
    • Receiver:
          Diamond
    • Speakers:
          Diamond
    • Surrounds:
          No Name
    • Audio Cables:
          Standard Optical
    • Video Cables:
          Standard Component RCA
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