Fortunes of War

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.

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Episodes

The Balkans: September 1939

S01E01 The Balkans: September 1939

October 11, 1987 5.0 56 min
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...
Romania: January 1940

S01E02 Romania: January 1940

October 18, 1987 5.0 55 min
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...
Romania: June 1940

S01E03 Romania: June 1940

October 25, 1987 5.0 60 min
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...
Greece: October 1940

S01E04 Greece: October 1940

November 1, 1987 5.0 58 min
A despondent Harriet arrives in Athens, where she's overjoyed to see Yakimov at a cafe. They find employment at the British Information Office but the mood sours when Pinkrose arrives. Harriet meets soldier Charles Warden,...
Egypt: April 1941

S01E05 Egypt: April 1941

November 8, 1987 5.0 56 min
After their unceremonious arrival in Cairo, the Pringles are forced to stay in an old brothel. Guy struggles to find work when it emerges that an old adversary is now in charge of the English...
Egypt: September 1942

S01E06 Egypt: September 1942

November 15, 1987 5.0 57 min
To help Boulderstone recover from his brother's death, he is taken under the wing of those at 'Garden City'. Guy is enthusiastic about two new teachers he has employed. Boulderstone becomes a hero in a...
The Middle East: January 1943

S01E07 The Middle East: January 1943

November 22, 1987 5.0 59 min
As Guy struggles to cope with his presumed loss of Harriet, Boulderstone starts his painful and slow road to recovery. Harriet makes a new friend and rediscovers old ones as she takes in the sights...

Cast

Kenneth Branagh
Kenneth Branagh
Guy Pringle
Emma Thompson
Emma Thompson
Harriet Pringle
Charles Kay
Charles Kay
Dobson

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