North And South : Complete BBC Series

Product Details

Director : Brian Percival
Actor : Daniela Denby-Ashe, Richard Armitage, Sinead Cusack, Lesley Manville, Tim Pigott-Smith
Format : Box set, PAL, Widescreen
Aspect Ratio : 1.78:1
Binding : DVD
EAN : 5014503169527
Product Group : DVD
Region Code : 2
Release Date : 2005-04-11
Running Time : 233minutes
Studio : 2 Entertain Video

ASIN : B0007N1BBC

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Editorial Reviews

DVD Description

North and South is a powerful adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's feisty and passionate novel, set across the social divides in the changing world of Victorian industrial society. Margaret Hale is one of literature's most original heroines: a southerner from a country vicarage newly settled in the industrial northern town of Milton. In the shock of her move, she misjudges charismatic cotton mill-owner John Thornton, whose strength of purpose and passion are a match for her own pride and wilfulness. When the workers of Milton call a strike, Margaret takes their side, and the two are brought into deeper conflict. As events spiral out of control, Margaret - to her surprise - begins to fall in love with Thornton...

DVD Extras: Specially recorded interview with Richard Armitage, Commentary on Episodes 1 & 4 with Kate Bartlett, Brian Percival and Sandy Welch, Deleted Scenes & Production Notes

Synopsis

Adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's novel. Margaret Hale, a southerner, has newly moved to the industrial town of Milton. When the workers of a cotton mill strike, Margaret immediately takes their side, already displaying a strong dislike for the mill's owner, John Thornton. As the conflict between Margaret and Thornton intensifies, however, Margaret finds herself doing the unspeakable...falling in love.

Customer Reviews

Wonderful, wonderful series!!! (2008-07-03)

What a fabulous series. I spent the 4 most amazing hours watching it. I did not want it to end! The cast is unforgetable with Richard Armitage as the stern, proud but compelling John Thornton,(he's so darn gorgeous!) and the lovely Daniela Denby-Ashe as the headstrong and forthright but charming Margaret Hale. There's many similarities between, this series and Pride and Prejudice but it stands out brilliantly. It's about a woman, Margaret Hale, from the South who moves from her romantic, sleepy laidback village, with her family, to the North and whose life collides with that of an intemperate if misunderstood industrialist, the charismatic mill-owner, John Thornton, in a bustling, northern city of Milton. Instantly she gets into a dispute with him over his harsh treatment of an employee. What she doesn't notice is Thornton's deep sense of responsibility for his employees' welfare. On the other hand, he misinterprets some of Margaret's own actions and intentions. But he is instantly attracted to her, while she has only the deepest contempt for him. Later, she refuses his offer of marriage, only to realise far too late the kind of man he really is. Hard and harsh he may be, but he's also a man of strength and intergrity but it seems he no longer feels the same way he did about her, after catching her in a compromising situation... but despite it all, he still protects her reputation. And that's another tangled web to watch unravel. Like in most period drama's, they both are stubborn and drag out their obvious attraction over many painful months and events, and I loved every bit of it. This series rates right up there for me along with Pride and Prejudice, and Jane Eyre... perhaps ever higher. It's beautifully filmed and has some heart-wrenching moments that causes a tear or two. I think John Thornton is the most romantic hero and he definitely beats Darcy, hands down. And I LIKE Darcy! A definite keeper for me.

One of the best period dramas! (2008-05-01)

I bought this DVD a month because I couldn't watch the series when it came on TV in 2004. And I'm so happy I did it. It is one of the best period dramas I've seen so far...and I 've seen many! Casting, and production and all the team of N&S did a great job with this adaptation....so if you liked Firth's Pride and Prejudice then you'll love this one 100%!!

Absolutely Beautiful and Moving (2008-04-04)

I bought this DVD and have watched it again and again and again. It is so heartfelt and so moving, so well acted, beautiful music, it is faultless. What I loved about this, was it gave a rare insight into life of different classes in Northern England in the 1800's, we are given a taste of the differences in manners and etiquette of Northerners and Southerners, and the snobbery that existed and to a degree still exists between people from the North and South of England. But for me it was how we are journeyed into the live's of the characters, who come from both the upper and working classes, seeing the very real struggles and working conditions of the working classes and what they endured. There is a beautiful and subtle development of love between the main characters, who are so contrasting in nature but are so well suited, the imagery set against an absolutely beautiful music score, means that North and South just does not leave an impression on the mind but on the very heart. Having watched many very good BBC adaptations, Pride and Prejudice, Bleak House, Cranford, Sense and Sensibility, Jane Eyre, Emma etc etc etc. I put this at number one, it just leaves such a deep impression.

the very best film I have ever seen (2008-03-22)

The film is the very best thing I have seen so far, even better than P&P. I got it 5 days ago, watched it all and still must watch it over and over again. It makes you think about life, how similar the situations are to life nowadays though the environment is different.I like the way it shows that not only the life of mill workers was very difficult but that also manufacturers [Mr Thornton here]had to work very hard and felt the resposibility they had. And also how important it was and is for people on different levels to talk together and try to understand the problems of the other party.I am surprised how well Richard Armitage worked with both his facial expressions and the tone of his voice. Daniela Denby-Ashe is also great as Miss Hale and Sinead Cusack as mother, as is all the other staff. All the scenes are worth watching, the pace is great. I am certainly going to buy the book to compare and learn more about the plot.

completely wonderful (2008-03-22)

This is a though-provoking and beautifully shot series. The insight into the struggle of the workers and the owners is amazing and you really feel the suffering of those who could not afford the stike, but could also not afford to betray the others. Even slightly above that was the brilliant array of spectacular acting in this piece. Richard Armitage portrays Thorton's arrogant, maybe violent yet pratical, compassionate and intellegent charactor perfectly. And he is supported by an excellent cast, including Daniela Denby-Ashe as Margeret Hale.Margaret's father uproots their family and takes them from their quiet peaceful Helstone in the south to busy dirty and industrial Milton in the north.As they all adjust to their new situation, Margaret starts to join the workers in thier struggles and makes her dislike of this unrefined, uneducated and somtimes vulgar new class clear to everyone-especially John Thorton.But as she learns more, she realises there is more to see than what first meets the eye to the mills and their owners. But can change her view of Thorton who has become her admirer?This is a beautiful series and is really worth watching! I cant say how true it is to the book by Elizabeth Gaskell, but I know one thing, I am going to read that book and the North and South series will always be among my favourites. Buy it!

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