Fortunes of War

Enter the very uncommon lives of Guy and Harriet Pringle in this highly acclaimed wartime drama starring one-time husband-and-wife Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson. After moving to Romania with his new bride in 1939, university lecturer Guy Pringle involves himself in the clandestine operations of the British Secret Service at the risk of his marriage ... and his life. Poignantly crafted, this classic BBC mini-series moves gracefully and pointedly, drawing you into two highly intriguing lives. Based on the autobiographical novels of best-selling author Olivia Manning.

Episode 1 - Fortunes of War: September 1939 -TX October 11, 1987 War breaks out as newlyweds Guy and Harriet Pingle set out on a journey across Europe and into the heart of the Balkans –to Romania where an uneasy neutrality reigns.

Episode 2 - Fortunes of War: January 1940 - TX October 18, 1987 After the assassination of the Romanian Prime Minister the Pringles travel to Bucharest. Quickly Guy’s popularity grows and Harriet begins to feel neglected.

Episode 3 – Fortunes of War: June 1940 – TX October 25, 1987 Despite Harriet’s complete dislike for Prince Yakimov, he takes up permanent residence in the Pringles’ flat while they secretly shelter Sasha Drucker, who is hiding from the Iron Guard.

Episode 4 – Fortunes of War: October 1940 – TX November 1, 1987 The Pringles’ flat is ransacked and the Jewish refugee, Sasha Drucker, disappears. Most of the English flee when the Germans overrun Bucharest. Harriet flies to Athens where she waits for Guy to join her.

Episode 5 – Fortunes of War: April 1941 – TX November 8, 1987 Harriet has a brief encounter with a young army officer. As Athens becomes increasingly dangerous she and Guy escape to Egypt.

Episode 6 – Fortunes of War: Autumn 1942 – TX November 15, 1987 After fighting his first battle in the Western Desert, Simon Bou Iderstone learns his brother was killed in action. Guy, who was working in Alexandria, returns and takes charge of the institute in Cairo.

Episode 7 – Fortunes of War: January 1943 – TX November 22, 1987 Neglected by Guy and weakened by illness Harriet decides to return to England. Unknown to Guy, she changes her mind and on a last minute impulse leaves for Damascus.

Guy Pringle	---	Kenneth Branagh
Harriet Pringle	---	Emma Thompson
Simon Boulderstone	---	Rupert Graves
Castlebar	---	Robert Stephens
Prince Yakimov	---	Ronald Pickup
Prince Hadjimoscos	---	Vernon Dobtcheff
Cmdr. Sheppey	---	Ronald Fraser
Aiden Pratt	---	Greg Hicks
Palu	---	Nicolas Amer
Cpl. Peters	---	Luke Bartley
Emmanuel	---	Relja Basic
Lord Pinkrose	---	Alan Bennett
Charles Warden	---	Jeremy Brudenell
Sasha Drucker	---	Harry Burton
Cpl. Arnold	---	Anthony Calf

Written by Olivia Manning
Adaptation by Alan Plater
Directed by James Cellan Jones
Produced by Betty Willingale
Original Music by Richard Holmes
Cinematography by David Feig, John Record
Editing by Tariq Anwar
Costume Design by Sharon Lewis, Christine Rawlins

BAFTA® Awards
1988 – Best Actress -Emma Thompson
1988– Best Costume Design –Christine Rawlins
1988 –Best Design - Tim Harvey