Starring: Damian Lewis, Gina McKee and Rupert Graves.
This film centres around the life story of the beautiful but poor Irene, who makes a huge mistake by marrying Soames Forsyte and getting herself trapped in a loveless marriage. The controlling and seemingly hard-hearted Soames is unable to understand his artistic and independent young wife who refuses to be one of his 'possessions'. She in turn, is unable to tolerate his need for control over her and his inability to express passion without coming across as hurtful. Their relationship disintegrates within two years of marriage and Irene finds love in the penniless architect, Philip Bossiney. She threatens to leave Soames after he gets abusive and eventually does leave him, after Bossiney dies in an accident. Meanwhile, Jolyon Forsyte is busy carrying on a relationship with the governess of his daughter, June, following a separation from his wife, Frances. His family disowns him and he settles down to start a family with the governess Helene. He learns that his wife is dead and proposes marriage to the governess, who accepts. Helene dies later, and he falls in love with a mourning Irene in whom he sees a reflection of himself. The two of them have a son, Jon Forsyte. Soames moves on with his life and has a daughter, Fleur from his second marriage. Second cousins, Fleur and Jon fall in love, ignorant of their parents misdeeds and pasts. The series is concluded with Fleur finding out the truth about their parents and marrying a wealthy suitor, leaving Jon heartbroken.
