This intriguing series had overtones of Dr. Zhivago and the Russian series Ancestral Land. The story of a Ukrainian family spans 100 years, beginning with their lives as peasant farmers doing quite comfortably, until WW1 and the revolution almost destroys them. Stripped of their land, and in one case executed for owing property, the family faces dreadful hardships in an attempt to survive. I almost didn't get beyond the first episode as the events were too depressing, but things picked up for a while, until WW2 and the German occupation turned everything upside down again. Still, the family soldiers on through trials and tribulations, some successes and some setbacks. For someone who knew little about Ukraine, it was very enlightening to see how the people lived.
I originally awarded the series 10 stars, but on second thoughts knocked off two for the constant recasting of the characters every ten years which was confusing, especially as the family had grown during the generations. Had it not been for the scar on the face of one of the sons, I would not have known who he was as he aged. Vaselynya had red hair, Petya wore thick glasses, and another character was blonde, but that was it. It might have helped if the replacements had resembled the originals. It is not necessary to rotate the actors as a good actor can play youth to old age just by body language, bright eyed and perky in youth, slow and stooped in age. It was as if every actor in Ukraine was included in the production to give them exposure, but it was hard on the audience trying to keep track .
I originally awarded the series 10 stars, but on second thoughts knocked off two for the constant recasting of the characters every ten years which was confusing, especially as the family had grown during the generations. Had it not been for the scar on the face of one of the sons, I would not have known who he was as he aged. Vaselynya had red hair, Petya wore thick glasses, and another character was blonde, but that was it. It might have helped if the replacements had resembled the originals. It is not necessary to rotate the actors as a good actor can play youth to old age just by body language, bright eyed and perky in youth, slow and stooped in age. It was as if every actor in Ukraine was included in the production to give them exposure, but it was hard on the audience trying to keep track .