Fortunes Of War (Three Discs) [DVD] [1987] - Classic War Drama Series | Perfect for WWII History Enthusiasts & British TV Collectors

Olivia Manning's Fortunes of War is a saga about World War II that I will re-read many times. The movie is an excellent re-telling of her books and keeps faith with the books. Emma Thompson is an engaging Harriet and while Kenneth Branaugh doesn't really bear any physical resemblance to the image of Guy Pringle - largely because Guy's great height and size is such an integral part of his large personality - Branaugh's performance is engaging as well. The film follows the Pringles through the Balkans to their eventual escape to Palastine with most of the same colorful characters in Manning's two trilogies. Ronald Pickup as Yaki is particularly wonderful. The most compelling aspect of Manning's story, however, is not the war itself...that is the backdrop...the story is really about the Pringle's long marriage and how its strengths and frailties filter through Harriet's eyes and heart as the years go by. This is not about the battles fought and the injuries received on the battleground of war, nor is it about the military strategies of war - the battleground is happening in the lives of people who are living and surviving as war encroaches on their places of residence and how they cope with the knowledge and fear of the threat of Nazi Germany encompassing them. Since the protagonists are British, they must continually leave and become exiles in yet another country to wait out the war. Harriet and Guy emotionally approach this situation in very different ways and how Harriet comes to terms with these fundamental differences in their natures and her wry observations are the cornerstone of this very compelling story. I highly recommend both the books and the movie.