Fortunes of War

It is always difficult to judge a movie based upon a book without passing judgment on what it manages to retain and what it (un)intentionally leaves behind. Olivia Manning's books used to be banned in Romania during the communist régime, and that is probably the reason why this TV series has been shot in some locations in Yugoslavia at the time of its production (1986 - 1987). I find the acting excellent, and the atmosphere filled with nostalgia. Nevertheless, given the fact that the producers have included various black-and-white excerpts from WWII documentaries, I find it inexcusable that they haven't also included vintage images of Bucharest in the 1940's, and especially of the Athénée Palace Hotel. Using some lugubrious Ljubliana building as a stand-in is very hard to swallow, especially for someone very well acquainted with the splendours of interbellum Bucharest. The same could have been done about the Royal Palace. And this would have hardly increased the costs. Apart from that, I find this worth watching and re-watching. As one grows older, one sees things differently.

I've watched this 3 hrs+ movie a dozen of times already, and I am sill thirsty for more. This movie is packed with beautiful acting by nearly all casts. These English actors seem to know how to control their facial expressions, vocal tones, body movement with remarkable precision to convey all degrees of emotions and personalities. Directing, music, costume, editing, cinematography are all equally good as well, and together with the great actings, creates a beautiful harmony. This movie is made of one piece. Like "Lawrence of Arabia", whereever we slice it, the piece has a harmony, like the music by great composers.

If I have to live in a desert island and can bring one video with me, I guess I'll choose this one.

I don't know where I was when this first came out on PBS or BBC, but I know where I was when we rented it and watched it recently. Riveted and delighted. I award Fortunes of War a 9.5, from the marvelous real world settings to the splendid acting by every member of this incredible ensemble...and the story is simply superb. I didn't give it a 10 because I can't think of a 10 film at the moment with which to even compare. Enough superlatives. Watch it and be entertained and enlightened. Kenneth and Emma are joys to behold, the predicaments and conflicts totally believable, the insidious creep of Nazi Europe frightening, the subsequent war scenes thankfully subdued but still realistic. Rent it, own it, view it. Again and again.

It is an interesting story as it tells a tale about a group of people who live on the brink of the war without seeming to understand the dangers facing them.

In my opinion, Emma Thompson pretty much carries the whole thing, kind of showing how a very classy lady copes with lesser humans. While there are some story-filling war scenes it is not a war movie as we are used to seeing. It is enjoyable and humous on occasion, showing the foibles that one can encounter in life.

This has been being repeated on one of the BBC channels at the moment.

I have the dvd but watched some of it live the other day.

Watching it made me feel old. I would have been 26 when I saw this first on tv,all my family loved it.

I was surprised to see some of the reviews being so negative about this.

Of course if you expect an action packed story you will be disappointed.

I know a lot more about World War 2 now than I did in 1987 but that fact makes no difference to the viewers enjoyment of the series.

Giving no spoilers the series involves the experiences of a group of people in Eastern Europe in the early part of World War 2.

It seems crazy to me that some one on here complains that it was not filmed in the actual locations in the original book,talk about nit picking.

This drama does not require much prior knowledge of the historical period.

This series is a classic of is kind and should be watched by history fans and fans of good acting.