Introduction
Fortunes of War is a 1987 BBC television adaptation of Olivia Manning’s cycle of novels Fortunes of War.
It stars Kenneth Branagh as Guy Pringle, lecturer in English Literature in Bucharest during the early part of the Second World War, and Emma Thompson as his wife Harriet.
Outline
As Guy struggles to cope with his presumed loss of Harriet, Simon Boulderstone starts his painful and slow road to recovery. Harriet makes a new friend and rediscovers old ones as she takes in the sights of Damascus, whilst Aiden Pratt’s feelings of rejection by Guy bring about unhappy consequences; Aiden is a closet homosexual. Harriet, discovering that Guy thinks her dead, is rushed back to Egypt by Bill Castlebar. On their return, Castlebar collapses and dies later in hospital; Angela is desolate when Bill’s wife takes on the funeral arrangements. Harriet and Guy are reunited and they and Simon climb the pyramids together.
Fortunes of War Series
You can find a full index and overview of Fortunes of War here.
Production & Filming Details
- Release Date: 22 November 1987.
- Running Time: 60 minutes.
- Rating: 15.
- Country: UK.
- Language: English.
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