Fortunes of War
Fortunes of War is a 1987 BBC miniseries adaptation of Olivia Manning's cycle of novels of the same name. English literature lecturer Guy Pringle and his wife Harriet navigate the early years of WWII in Bucharest. They become involved in anti-fascist politics and are forced to flee as the war escalates, crossing paths with various characters along the way. Starring an ensemble cast led by Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson, the seven-part series follows its source material relatively faithfully, with no major plot departures.
Overview
Fortunes of War is a 1987 BBC miniseries adaptation of Olivia Manning's cycle of novels of the same name. English literature lecturer Guy Pringle and his wife Harriet navigate the early years of WWII in Bucharest. They become involved in anti-fascist politics and are forced to flee as the war escalates, crossing paths with various characters along the way. Starring an ensemble cast led by Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson, the seven-part series follows its source material relatively faithfully, with no major plot departures.
Betty Willingale
Producer
Episodes
1. The Balkans: September 1939
Newlyweds Guy and Harriet Pringle arrive in Bucharest, as does the impoverished Prince Yakimov, who takes a temporary job as a journalist for a British newspaper to save himself from destitution. Harriet is introduced to her fellow expatriates (befriending the middle-class Bella, who has married a wealthy local) and to Guy's Romanian friend and admirer Sophie. Their peace is interrupted by the assassination of Romanian PM Călinescu and Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland. Rumours fly of a German invasion of Romania, and Guy, though absorbed in his work and organising social events, is concerned about the family of Jewish student Sasha Drucker, given the antisemitic Romanian regime.
2. Romania: January 1940
Commander Sheppey holds a clandestine meeting to plot against the authorities. Guy, guilty about not being on active service, is determined to be productive. When he cancels a lunch arrangement with Harriet, she worries over his whereabouts. One of his colleagues, Clarence Lawson, entertains a lonely Harriet. Concern for the Drucker family intensifies when they go missing. When Guy and Harriet spend a weekend in the mountains, the feckless Yakimov is left looking after their flat, with tragic consequences. Guy has ambitious plans to stage a production of Troilus and Cressida but casting causes dissent. During the after-show celebration, British envoy Dobson makes a disturbing announcement about the political situation. The Pringles find Sasha Drucker, now in desperate need of their assistance.
3. Romania: June 1940
The fascist Iron Guard increase their power and the British fall out of favour with the Romanians. Sasha remains in hiding with the Pringles' home and becomes friends with Harriet. Sophie attempts to lure Guy to her apartment, and he finally sees through her manipulations. Another expat, Toby Lush, arrives, seeking work at the university. Yakimov risks his life for a good meal and a bottle of wine. Dobson announces that the British Legation recommends that everyone return home to mixed results Due to Yakimov's impropriety, Guy finds himself a wanted man. Harriet attends Mr Drucker's trial but has difficulty giving a true account of events. Tension mounts as the fascists take over, and the Pringles, with Lawson',$ help, try to smuggle Sasha to safety. In the midst of chaos, British academic Lord Pinkrose arrives to give a lecture. As the violence escalates, the expats plan their escape routes.
Cast & Crew
Kenneth Branagh
Guy Pringle
Emma Thompson
Harriet Pringle
Charles Kay
Dobson
