Masterpiece Theater
Starring Eric Porter, Nyree Dawn Porter (no relation to Eric), Kenneth Moore and Susan Hampshire.The Saga chronicled the lives, loves and losses of the Forsyte family from Victorian times into the Twentieth century.
Not only was the saga a huge ratings hit in the UK but it paved the way for all the marvelous British drama yet to come. So successful was it when broadcast in the US that PBS created Masterpiece Theater as a direct result. Americans loved the comparatively, daring way the show dealt with the then still controversial subject of sex on the telly.
The First Churchills: Spawned by the Forsyte Saga's success, Masterpiece Theater premiered with this well-done historic drama. Featured Forsyte alum Hampshire and John Neville.
The Pallisers :Susan Hampshire, by now a worldwide star, returned to period work for this BBC production of Anthony Trollope's work. The Pallisers proved to be even more successful than Forsyte.
Flambards: A slightly off beat period soap opera with a haunting theme that I remember to this day A terrific cast and script helped elevate this show from mere melodrama. Christine McKenna played the orphaned Christina who finds herself struggling with matters of both the hear and the head as Europe descends into the madness of W.W.I.
Upstairs Downstairs: The British drama which had the greatest impact here in America this tale of two classes warily co-existing through the end of an era. With an all-star cast and addictive story line which deftly combined actual historic events within its scripts, Upstairs Downstairs remains the benchmark for quality period melodrama. If you have anything more than a passing interest in this series you must visit The Unofficial Upstairs, Downstairs Home Page and / or the Upstairs Downstairs Episode guide
The Six Wives of Henry the Eighth: Keith Michell gives a bravura performance as the legendary Henry VIII, aging over the course of the series from strapping youth to mammoth serial beheader of wives, all the while giving a full-blooded and utterly convincing performance as the larger than life monarch. Supported by the likes of Annette Crosbie, Angela Pleasance, Anthony Quale and Patrick Troghton, this series ignited my passion for English History. Who knew that something so educational could also be so sexy, violent and debauched. I loved it!
Elizabeth R: Glenda Jackson underwent a similarly spectacular age progression for her portrayal of Elizabeth Tudor.Another classic.
Brideshead Revisited: More ambitious and daring than such predecessors as Upstairs Downstairs, this '80s Masterpiece, based on Evelyn Waugh's novel, raised the standard with a huge budget (five million pounds) and stunning cast that included Jeremy Irons, Anthony Andrews, Sir John Gielgud,
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