Product Description: The Baltics 1939. British professor Guy Pringle (Kenneth Branagh) arrives in Romania with his new bride Harriet (Emma Thompson) and becomes enmeshed in the politics of anti-fascism. Despite Harriet's serious misgivings Guy's social circle soon includes members of the British Secret Service who want to involve him in dangerous missions and a downtrodden prince who zeroes in on Guy's generous nature and winds up living with the Pringles. Thus the stage is set for this mesmerizing story of marriage tested by accidental betrayal callous insensitivity and a world in upheaval. Based upon the autobiographical novels of best-selling author Olivia Manning and set in places as far-flung as Bucharest Athens andCairo Fortunes of War is majestic in both its scope and its vision.Running Time: 407 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA UPC: 794051219329
Amazon.com: "Wherever we are, that will always be the center of things." So professor Guy Pringle reassures his new wife, Harriet. Unfortunately, where they are is Bucharest in 1939, with the Nazis gathering on the border, and fascism casting longer, darker shadows. Thus begins this epic 1987 miniseries based on Olivia Manning's Balkan and Levant trilogies that was originally broadcast in the United States on Masterpiece Theatre. For most Americans, it was an auspicious first look at England's glamorous former First Thespian couple, Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson, who, as one character notes of Harriet, "lightens the darkness." Fortunes of War suggests what Casablanca might have been like had it followed Victor and Ilsa instead of Rick, who famously didn't want to stick his neck out for anybody. Not Guy. "I want to do something more dramatic than lecturing," he proclaims. "It is our duty to shine a little light to hope someone notices." His activities are enough to put him on a Nazi death list, forcing Guy and Harriet to Greece and Egypt. "It isn't a lark," Guy tells Harriet early on, "but it is an adventure." Fortunes of War is populated by colorful characters, most notably the pitiable and decidedly untrustworthy Prince Yakimov (Ronald Pickup), and the dashing young soldier Simon Boulderstone (Rupert Graves of The Forsythe Saga and A Room with a View). There is plenty of intrigue, betrayals, domestic melodrama, and emotional separations and reunions to propel this nearly seven-hour production to its powerful conclusion. Readers of Manning's books and Branagh and Thompson fans will find the release of War good fortune indeed. --Donald Liebenson
Great movie magic I'm watching this for the 2nd time and just savoring it, watching one or two episodes a night. It's great storytelling, acting, directing, cinematography, etc. Subtle but powerful. I must remember to recommend it to others like my sister who enjoys the same types of films I do instead of selfishly keeping it to myself. But at least I'm sharing my opinion with you, aren't I? ;-)
Brilliantly written One of the early pieces with Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson. Amazing cast of interesting characters moving through Europe, Egypt and Eastern Europe just ahead of the Axis invasions becoming World War II. I saw bits and pieces on Masterpiece Theatre many years ago - very memorable.
Oldie but goodie Nearly twenty years since this production, but it stands the test of time. Well produced, well acted, and a strangely sad picture of idealism being snuffed out by the harsh realities of war.
Charles Dickens and Jane Austen Go to War The producers of this sweeping video have, with perfect pitch, captured both the spirit and the letter of Olivia Manning's (six) novels. From the hapless and freeloading Prince Yakimov to Dobson, the unflappable F.O. functionary, you see what it's like to live and work with war constantly advancing just over the horizon. Branaugh's Guy Pringle seems cherrily oblivous to the dangers -- even including the danger of losing Harriet (Emma Thompson) his initially naive young wife. Their journey(s), through wartime Rumania, Greece and Egypt, are journeys from simplicity to complexity, from dreams and illusions to sometimes cruel reality. Great characters, great dialogue, great plot, altogether great stuff -- the most absorbing made-for-TV series since the Singing Detective.
Fortunes of War Just as good as the first time I saw it 20 years ago. Good price too!
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