Browse episode ratings trends for Fortunes of War. Simply click on the interactive rating graph to explore the best and worst of Fortunes of War's 7 episodes.
Best Episodes of Fortunes of War
The Middle East: January 1943
S1 Ep7
6.0
22nd Nov 1987
Guy struggles to come to terms with his apparent loss. A quick marriage, an emotional reunion and a sudden death change the lives of those at ‘Garden City’ forever.
Egypt: September 1942
S1 Ep6
6.0
15th Nov 1987
An an attempt to help Simon recover from the death of his brother, he’s taken under the wing of those at ‘Garden City.' Harriet contracts dysentery and Simon is involved in a desert disaster. Harriet makes a decision about her future. Some last minute changes to travel arrangements lead to a major misunderstanding.
Worst Episodes of Fortunes of War
The Balkans: September 1939
S1 Ep1
5.0
11th Oct 1987
Set in the Balkans 1939.
Newly weds Guy and Harriet Pringle journey to Bucharest where Guy is a lecturer of English Literature. Impoverished Prince Yakimov arrives in the city and struggles to find financial support, but a temporary job as a Fleet Street journalist could save him from destitution. Harriet befriends bourgeoisie Bella and members of the British Legation.
Romania: January 1940
S1 Ep2
6.0
18th Oct 1987
Commander Sheppey holds a clandestine meeting to organise the destruction of the River Danube. Guy feels guilty about not being on active service and is determined to do something productive. Harriet and Guy encounter an old friend who is in desperate need of their assistance.
Fortunes of War Episode Guide
The Balkans: September 1939
S1 Ep1
5.0
11th Oct 1987
Set in the Balkans 1939.
Newly weds Guy and Harriet Pringle journey to Bucharest where Guy is a lecturer of English Literature. Impoverished Prince Yakimov arrives in the city and struggles to find financial support, but a temporary job as a Fleet Street journalist could save him from destitution. Harriet befriends bourgeoisie Bella and members of the British Legation.
Romania: January 1940
S1 Ep2
6.0
18th Oct 1987
Commander Sheppey holds a clandestine meeting to organise the destruction of the River Danube. Guy feels guilty about not being on active service and is determined to do something productive. Harriet and Guy encounter an old friend who is in desperate need of their assistance.
Romania: June 1940
S1 Ep3
6.0
25th Oct 1987
The fascist Iron Guard increase their power and the British fall out of favour with the Romanians. Tension mounts as the fascists take over and the Pringles, with the help of Clarence Lawson, try to smuggle Sasha out to safety.
Greece: October 1940
S1 Ep4
6.0
1st Nov 1987
A despondent Harriet arrives in Athens and is overjoyed to see a familiar face. Yakimov and Harriet both pleased to find employment at the British Information Office. When Athens comes under enemy fire, a cigarette during the blackout results in a tragedy.
Egypt: April 1941
S1 Ep5
6.0
8th Nov 1987
After their unceremonious arrival in Cairo, Guy and Harriet are forced to stay in an old brothel. Guy struggles to find work when it emerges that an old adversary is in charge of the English School. The Germans close in and Simon experiences the harsh realities of war.
Egypt: September 1942
S1 Ep6
6.0
15th Nov 1987
An an attempt to help Simon recover from the death of his brother, he’s taken under the wing of those at ‘Garden City.' Harriet contracts dysentery and Simon is involved in a desert disaster. Harriet makes a decision about her future. Some last minute changes to travel arrangements lead to a major misunderstanding.
The Middle East: January 1943
S1 Ep7
6.0
22nd Nov 1987
Guy struggles to come to terms with his apparent loss. A quick marriage, an emotional reunion and a sudden death change the lives of those at ‘Garden City’ forever.
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. Other cast members included Ronald Pickup, Robert Stephens, Alan Bennett, Philip Madoc and Rupert Graves. The series stays relatively faithful to the original novels, with no notable departures from their plot.
No network information is available for this show.
The best rated episodes of Fortunes of War are:
The Middle East: January 1943 S1E7 rated 6.0
Egypt: September 1942 S1E6 rated 6.0
The lowest rated episodes of Fortunes of War are:
The Balkans: September 1939 S1E1 rated 5.0
Romania: January 1940 S1E2 rated 6.0
The first episode of Fortunes of War aired on October 11, 1987.
The last episode of Fortunes of War aired on November 22, 1987.
