Customer Reviews

North & South

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I knew nothing of either "North and South" or Richard Armitage when I first sat down to watch this wonderful 4-part series.

But I sure did once I got up four hours later!

I knew that I'd discovered one of the best working actors I'd ever seen.

The other reviewers will undoubtedly cover the overall excellence of the production itself, the other actors, the music, etc. I just want to wax on about this amazing man who so totally infused John Thornton with his energy and talent.

Aside from his general "swoon-ability," he never hit a misstep. Every look, line delivery, and body movement was spot on! From the first time he opened his mouth to scream, "STEPHENS!" at the top of his lungs to his soft, boyishly joyful "Coming home with me?" at the end, I simply couldn't take my eyes of him.

He's not handsome in a traditional way. At first glance, I was rather dismissive of the much-heralded "Darcy" factor. He looked autocratic, harsh featured, and snarly as he was seen through a cloud of cotton fluff surveying the workers in his cotton mill. Two or three scenes later, when he smiled, I nearly fell onto my floor in a swoon. And I am not particularly given to giddy swooning as a general rule.

Unfortunately, the BBCA cut out nearly 14 minutes from each episode, so it wasn't until I watched the region 2 DVD that I bought from amazon.co.uk, that I saw some key missing scenes which explained the story development better. And of course, included with the "goodies" is a post-production interview with RA himself. I am looking forward to the release of the region 1 DVD next week.

I think that one of the main reasons that I enjoyed RA's portrayal so much was because he really brought a fully-developed male character to life in a Victorian drama. So many times, the stories are told solely from the female aspect. The viewer is left with only the brooding exterior of the male to watch. This character of JT had such growth in his personal philosophy, his inter-personal relationships, as well as his professional dealings, and I found myself excited about sharing those growth steps with him.

By the end of Episode 4, I was torn between wanting to see some resolution between the lovebirds and wanting to stay with them on their endless search for an uninterrupted conversation with each other. But, if it had to end...WOW!!! What an ending! It was the most romantic ending I could have desired. It was so sweet and tender that I had tears in my eyes. I probably looked a loony goon sitting there grinning at my TV but I didn't care. And I still don't care each time I sit and sigh as they embrace. The light feathery kisslings [made up word] elicit sighs even though I'm working on high double digit viewings of this DVD right now!

If you loved Colin Firth as "Mr Darcy" in "Pride and Prejudice," trust me you'll be ecstatic over the amount of screen time RA has as "JT" in "N&S." And what excellent use he makes of that screen time!

RA Rulez!

diane

I bought the DVD with no expectations whatsoever. I had not read the book (I have now), I didn't know the actors by name (I do now), the only deciding factor was that the script was by Sandy Welch and I reeeeaaally love what she has done with Dickens' Our Mutual Friend. I am really glad I made this guess! I popped the DVD in the player, thinking naively that I would watch one episode then go to bed. Suffice it to say, I couldn't leave it and thus, went to bed very late! The way this story is crafted is both beautiful and captivating. I cannot be silent on Armitage's gripping performance. He embraced the role with abandon and I am sure we have not seen the last of him. Daniela Denby-Ashe is more subdued, but I am convinced it is quite fitting for her character and creates a very good balance to Armitage's intensity (the man has elevated brooding to an art form and gives a new definition to the word "smoldering"!). The score is very beautiful and it is almost a character in the story because it serves it so well. I highly recommend this DVD, particularly if you have a romantic soul or if you are very keen on 19th Century English litterature, in which case, it is a must.

The most compelling story from an excellent novel, the tightest, leanest script by Sandy Welch, the superb cinematography and production design, make this the best period drama I have ever seen, it makes the others pale into comparision. It's a sad, funny, romantic, stirring story of loss, love and struggle that anyone can enjoy.. and I believe you will enjoy this. Buy two, because you will be lending it out to all your friends...

The actors are a fantastic ensemble, including the superb Sinead Cusack as Mrs Thornton the matriach, Daniela Denby-Ashe is the spirited and lovely heroine Margaret, and Richard Armitage who plays Mr Thornton is the most talented, brooding, smouldering, intelligent, moving and compelling leading man it has been my pleasure ever to witness.....this man was robbed of a BAFTA - he is nothing short of magnificent... ,

This is an enjoyable and informative tale about what it is like to live and work in a cotton mill town in Northern England. It also provides a good perspective of on the lives of the wealthy business owner vs. the working class in the mill. The story line very much reminded me of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" set in an industrial setting in that the main characters are not too fond of each other from the outset. There are many subplots within the story so it remains interesting throughout the movie.

What excellent acting on Richard Armitage's part. He's so expressive and passionate, the movie would not be worth watching with any other actor! - I love it!!!

I love period movies but this one far surpasses all the others, even my 2 other favorites (Pride and prejudice with Colin Firth and Persuasion with Ciara Hinds). Because it features the clash between social classes, there is much more depth to the characters than in Jane Austen's novels and movies. The chemistry between the 2 main actors (Richard and Daniela) can be felt all through the movie. Richard Armitage's acting blew me away... because of the nuances he could bring to his character. As you get to know this richly complex character, you learn to love the man under his exterior harshness. His relationship with his mother and with the union leader is credible and touching. All three actors are very good at showing strength and vulnerability. Everyone is well cast (except maybe for the sister which I found a bit over the top, but having not read the book recently, maybe that is how she was supposed to be).

Having bought this DVD because it was a BBC production and a period movie, I went on to view it three times non-stop. That's how good it was (I had to put subtitles at first because I had a bit of a problem understanding the Irish accent... English not being my primary language). Now I've ordered the book, which I have not read since I was a teenager, because I need to know the characters even more!

I have always been a huge fan of Pride and Prejudice, and of course the Colin Firth version (hello wet shirt!), and I had never really thought I could enjoy another period piece like that one. Then I discovered North and South, and all of that changed.

When watching for this for the first time, I was so engrossed in the film that I didn't stop watching until it was finished. Having never read the book, I didn't know what to expect and there were many delightful surprises along the way. I now plan to read the novel and hope to fall in love with it as much as I have this movie.

The character of John Thornton is so incredibly beautiful and poignant, and was handled just right by the wonderful Richard Armitage. Not only does he bring the necessary hardness to the role, but he brings a rare vulnerability to the role, that makes him such a diverse individual. He grabs you in with those eyes of his, and makes you want to know all there is about him. In many ways he is similar to Mr. Darcy, but I found him to be almost more real if that makes any sense. The depth and diversity that he puts into the character makes him so unique to these types of films and you'll find it hard to resist his charms. I daresay he is probably the sexiest man (and character) in these period novels that I have ever read or seen a movie of.

The heroine, Margaret is also one of great character, and Daniela Denby Ashe pulls it off with great poise and sensibility. While I was angry when she rejected Mr. Thornton (how could she???), the beauty of the scene is that the two play off eachother so well, and make you believe what's going on is real. His I do not wish to possess you, because I love you line is one of the most heart wrenching things, and her refusal of him is so heartbreakingly good that it will leave you eagerly anticipating the next episode.

Overall one of the greatest period pieces ever and probably one of the most beautiful films as well. The simplicity in the main theme is so breathtakingly beautiful that you will be humming it days after seeing it. And the image at the end of the first episode, of Thornton walking through the mill with all the cotton in the air will also be etched in your mind as well. The music and that image blend so beautifully together, and really create one of the most mesmerizing and memorable scenes in television history.

I watched this movie without having read the reviews or the books.

For me, the gold standard was Pride and Prejudice (Firth as Darcy) and it has remained there for the better part of a decade. Just finishing the movie last night (I had to watch the movie one episode each night even though, like others, I *did* want to watch it all straight through), P&P has been soundly displaced by N&S. N&S is superior to P&P (comparing these as stand-alone movies, not novels or adaptations therefrom) in almost every respect.

The story, the drama, the cinematography, and the acting were excellent. My only complaint, if I had to provide one, was that the chemistry between the protagonists Margaret Hale and Thornton was a bit lacking (mind you, I didn't think that there was much chemistry between Darcy and Liz in P&P either).

What is odd and I think doesn't really get explained in the movie is why Thornton loves Margaret so much, given her constant rebukes on every attempt he makes to befriend her. It may be sheer beauty, but loving someone for their natural beauty can only take that person so far - it is rather hard to love a cold beauty for any appreciable length of time (I know I would tire of arrogant beauty very quickly).

It may be that it is initially beauty that he admires and that it evolves to also include her obstinancy in keeping to her principles. This pride is similar to that displayed his mother, so there may be Freudian tendencies at work. Even so, when he discovered her out late at night with another man and that she lied about it when confronted, I don't see how *any* man during that era could still maintain any interest in her; more likely he would have severed all ties to even knowing her, given the improprieties and likely scandal that would ensue (remember that there were no TVs then... entertainment was largely provided in the form of town gossip and no mill owner would want to be known as the cuckold of a whore).

Shoving all of that lingering disbelief aside, I just *loved* this movie (although the ending seemed slightly abrupt). It felt like such a sweeping epic that would surely have generated some Oscar talk if it were a celluloid production. But I suppose we have to be thankful that it wasn't destined for the big screen because that would mean severe editing to cut it to "digestable" film length and comprehensibilty to accomodate the movie-going public.

Three cheers for the BBC on this production!

If you loved the 1995 P&P adaptation, you're likely to love this one too but for totally different reasons. Although beautiful to look at, it has a grey cast to it which is important to convey the industrial Manchester of the Victorian age. I had to watch it twice to fully appreciate the undercurrents (strong!) between the main characters, and to feel like I truly knew them, but who doesn't want to watch a period piece like this many times over? There is also a modern feel to this piece which makes it feel very accessible. Good story, great acting and brings the reality of Victorian Northern England into focus without being at all a downer.

Having read the novel (400++ pages) by Elizabeth Gaskell, it was hard to imagine how such a story could be brought to life. While the movie is not true to the novel, it is nonetheless a remarkable piece of film, and more than makes up for any artistic/literary liberties taken with this classic story. As far as BBC productions go, I compare all to the Pride and Prejudice (Firth and Ehle)production, as far as casting, quality of writing and performance. The casting and performances of North and South are outstanding, as is the production. Richard Armitage's performance of John Armitage, will be one that goes into the books next to Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy. I cannot say anything else except that this is a must for any DVD library.