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Rating:  - The BEST BBC DVD EVER! Okay Maybe in a while...
I am a huge BBC period miniseries fan. Okay, to be honest, I'm a huge BBC series fan, but period miniseries are always my favorites. I watched "North and South" based on an automated 'if you like this then watch this' feature on a website, and boy, was I wowed by what I saw. This is probably the best BBC miniseries since the mid-90s "Pride and Prejudice" with Colin Firth--if you like that series, go watch this NOW.
"North and South" is a captivating mix of romance and industrial strife. The miniseries is set in Milton an industrial mill town in northern England (played beautifully in the series by Edinburgh, Scotland--if you've ever been there you'll recognize the familiar crags in the cemetery scenes), where the Hale family has moved from their home in Hampshire. Margaret, the Hale daughter, is taken aback by the grit of industry. She quickly meets Mr. Thornton, a local mill owner. After a good deal of clashing (think Elizabeth and Darcy), a mill strike, and lots of drama, a love develops.
I think what makes "North and South" so wonderful is that combination of romance and political intrigue. Margaret does not sit idly or wander around the countryside all the time--rather, she is engaged with the mill workers and the owners, and learns enough to engage in interesting debate about workers rights. It's her intellect that softens Mr. Thornton as much as her looks, and it's wonderful to watch her in action. The entire cast is superb--I especially love Daniela Denby-Ashe--I hope I see her in something else soon!
As I said at the beginning of this review--if you're a P&P fan, or a Dickens, or Bronte fan, go see this miniseries immediately. The four hours will be well worth your time--I can't wait to watch it again!
Rating: - Love Love Love It!
If you like BBC miniseries, you will love this one! Great period references and of course a great romance complete with misunderstandings. I won't recount the plot for you because plenty have already, but this miniseries is of great quality, splendid acting, and the story line is perfect for lovers of Jane Austin and BBC.
Rating: - What's Not to Love?
Utterly romantic story...
Great Script ("I don't want to possess you. I wish to marry you because I love you." Does it get much better than that? Didn't think so :),
Fantastic Cinematography (the first time Margaret sees Mr. Thornton comes to mind),
Possibly the best score ever written (Martin Phipps is a genius),
Well-defined characters played by the perfect cast (Richard Armitage as John Thornton; need I say more?).
This replaced Pride and Prejudice as my favorite BBC series. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great love story.
Rating: - in my TOP 2 programs ever viewed.
Though I love many of the BBC products, Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South a top 2 favorite of anything I've viewed.
The characters are so well portrayed. They brought you to believe in their causes, even on opposing sides of the issues, and you could tangibly feel their emotions in various scenes.
The three lead characters, John Thornton, Nicholas Higgins and Margaret Hale were strong in their ideals and communicated these effectively. Yet very interestingly, in their personal relationships, specifically the proposal scene, John Thornton and Margaret Hale are communicating on seemingly different 'frequencies' and misinterpreting each others words at every statement. You literally feel the frustration of their conversation. You can however, understand their previous communications and feelings lend themselves to these statement misinterpretations.
One reason I was so drawn to this story were the high ideals and morality of Thornton and Higgins to do 'the right thing' regarding workers/co-workers and to be men of their word with great integrity. The great mutual respect they end up having for one another is so well deserved and fits with their character portrayals. Their integrity and morality makes them two of my favorite characters of all time and one reason N&S is in my top 2 pick.
Margaret also has ideal of trying to do 'what is right', yet her character at times seems to hold on to a bit of a grudge. She also seems 'sleepy'/dullish in faculties at times(very limited though).
As for feeling the emotion, (SPOILER ALERT) Margaret's departure scene from Thornton's mill - you feel it inside! Also as she says goodbye to the Higgins'. Other spots, when Thornton finally gets she has a brother in Spain- you go "YEAAAAH". And there are others.
When I got this dvd, I literally watched it 4 times in 1 week.
There are so many nuances and fine points to the characters and scenes, as well as the repeated yellow roses which I only noticed in half the spots till about the third time.
This story comes more alive each time I watch. I wont easily tire of it if ever.
Hope if you get it you enjoy it as well.
Rating: - A great way to spend 4 hours.
For being period drama, this film adaptation more than any I've seen has something for everyone. The backdrop of worker reform the love story is set against brings so many things to the movie that make it hard to call North and South a love story.
North & South has something for everyone, rioting, suicide, murder mystery, worker unionizing and against all that, more marriage proposals and refusals, May-December romances, and some very funny comic relief in the character of Fanny Thornton.
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