Majestic in both its scope and its vision, this magnificent adaptation of Olivia Manning's autobiographical novels became one of the most popular drama series ever to appear on British television.

The Balkans, 1939. British professor Guy Pringle arrives in Romania with his new bride, Harriet, and becomes enmeshed in the politics of anti-fascism. Despite Harriet's serious misgivings, Guy's social circle soon includes members of the British Secret Service who want to involve him in dangerous missions, and a downtrodden prince who zeroes in on Guy's generous nature and winds up living with the Pringles. So the stage is set for a mesmerising story of marriage tested by accidental betrayal, callous insensitivity, and a world in upheaval.