North and South, Book II

This comment discusses "North and South Book II" dealing with the Civil War (1861-1865).

As I have mentioned in my comment on "North and South Book I", the movie absorbed me so much that I felt an undeniable need to see its sequel based on John Jakes' novel LOVE AND WAR. However, as sequels on screen usually tend to be worse than the originals, one may have doubts: at first different credits, a different director, some changes in the cast...nevertheless, from the beginning, "North and South Book II" appears to be good in a more or less equal but unique way... yet surely different.

Why will you find it different? The Civil War content inevitably draws your attention not so primarily to the families' saga, as it was the case with Book I, but rather to history and politics. Although the sequel retains most characters from the Maines and the Hazards, it contains such historic figures like Abraham Lincoln, Robert Lee, Ulysses Grant and Jefferson Davis. There are pure facts embedded in the story, there are battles, imprisonments, executions, there are also dreams of peace. Therefore, "North and South Book II" is very educative as a historical piece of work, as an insight into a nightmare of war, and as a provider of historical imagination since the past comes to life here.

Old characters are the same, yet different, war changes them in time, makes them tired of hardship and cruelty that war has brought. They start to long for peace. It is simply unbelievable how, for instance, Virgilia Hazard (Kirstie Alley) changes - from a fanatical abolitionist into a nurse supposed to help both northerners and southerners. Couples in love face separations, friends divisions, and the elderly loneliness. The whole country seems to go mad (as in any war). Dreams of honor and righteousness seem to belong to the days of yore. Yet, finally, it is not the evil of war that wins.

There is, however, one significant fact to mention about these old characters. Some of them seem to me a bit less fascinating than in Book I. That is my only complaint to the sequel. Richard T Heffron, the director of the first part, seemed to care more for the development of characters. Perhaps, the historical facts absorbed Kevin Connor so much that he allowed some shortage in this case. That does not refer to all characters from Book I but some, mostly those performed by different cast: Billy Hazard (now Parker Stevenson) and Isabel (now Mary Crosby). However, I loved some new characters, in particular Augusta Barclay (Kate McNeil) and Rafe Beaudeen (Lee Horsley). Both head for helping other people, both find love; yet, what is ahead of them is only a nightmare...

Someone said that the performances are weak. I don't agree with this opinion, there may be a drawback in character development but the acting is equally great as in Book I. I even admit that Book II is worth attention in this case due to beautifully characterized Hal Holbrook as President Abraham Lincoln and especially appealing Anthony Zerbe as General Ulysses Grant...consider the moment he drinks apple juice while others accuse him of drinking too much whiskey. Zerbe is a terrific actor and that part of Grant is one of his best performances. James Read and Patrick Swayze again shine in their roles as well as Kirstie Alley and Terri Garber. I also admire Lewis Stone for his charismatic part of Charles hardened by war but softened by love. Some guest appearances are also worth consideration, including Olivia de Havilland and late James Stewart.

Both parts of NORTH AND SOUTH constitute wonderful history lesson, but history which is not filled with neutral facts but history filled with emotions. This mini series made me interested in American Civil War the results of which cried out how important it is to live in peace. That Palm Sunday of 1865 should always remind America that peace is the only way and even if there are storms of hatred, prejudice and divisions, true love will conquer them in the end. See both parts of "North and South" and you'll see that it is a history on screen watched in tears. Highly recommended! 8/10!

I learned a lot from watching North and South. There were some issues about Slavery which was brought up, that I had not known about. I absolutely adore Kirstie Alley! This was also the movie/mini-series that got me interested in Patrick Swayze. I had not known anything about him until that point. Patrick Swayze's character as "Orry Mane" not sure of spelling, was very believable. I also truly enjoyed Kirstie Alley's role. In my personal opinion, this was her best performance ever. You really should see it. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, make this a spectacular and believable movie. Make sure you have plenty of hankies ready. It will make you cry from sorrow, anger, and even cry out with joy!

Nothing I say here will be new, save for a few words on Lewis Smith I'll get to momentarily. I loved everything about Book I and Book II of the North and South saga. (As far as I'm concerned, Book III doesn't exist.) And although the series strays from the book in many ways, that shouldn't and doesn't matter when speaking of the series as a seperate and totally independent entity. It stands on its own and tells the story it wants to tell regardless of Cooper Main or any other plot lines ommitted. To include every single detail of John Jakes's novels would be utterly pointless and drag down the flow of a story in a medium that demands action and visual stimulation to keep its audience interested. Too much exposition is never good for a movie or a series. I for one, who DID enjoy the books just as much, applaud the directors and screenplay writers for NOT trying to parallel the text word for word.

As everyone has said, the acting in both parts was superb. James Read and Patrick Swayze yes, but also Leslie Anne Down, Wendy Kilbourne-Read (she and James really did get married in real life, isn't that cool?) Parker Stevenson (a drastic improvement from John Stockwell) Phillip Casnoff and David Carridine (whom we all love to hate) Terri Garber and Genie Francis. But I have to say I'm disappointed that more people here have not commented on Lewis Smith's portrayal of Charles Main in both books, who perhaps goes through just as much development of character as Orry, and Smith does it flawlessly. A great actor and a highly overlooked and underrated performance, Lewis Smith is simply awesome as Charles Main.

The story is about passion, love, romance, desire-yes. But more than that, it is about friendship. No other series, movie or tv show has ever displayed such a complex love story, love not only between lovers, but between friends, and no one should ever try. Rating North and South on a scale of 1 to 10, I give it a smashing 95!

This "sequel" is in no way a let down to the first season. In these episodes, the battle is raging and friends become enemies.

Parker Stevenson gets on board and portrays the Billy Hazard character with much more intensity than his predecessor was able to. In the same moment, his film wife Brett (Genie Francis) gets better and better and suddenly develops unexpected power.

The best scenes are those when the old friends suddenly meet on the battlefield - splendid storytelling here!

I have to recommend these two mini-series as the best TV productions of all time - when you love epic stories about friendship, love and tragedy, watch this one!

I watched North and South several years ago and fell in Love with this awesome tale of love and friendship that endured all. It was a very inspiring tale of friendship and a hallmark for the meaning of true humanity. The actors and actresses were brilliant. I think James Read and Patrick Swayze along with the rest of the cast gave magic and life to a fantastic story by a master story teller -John Jakes. At the time in the late eighties when I watched it for the first time, I knew nothing of a book 3. You can imagine my excitement when I heard of the book 3. I finally acquired the complete set(Bk's 1, 2, 3) on video and waited with bated breath to view the continuation of book 2 in bk 3, but alas, was I disappointed. Recently I acquired the DVD collection of Books 1 & 2, and relived the joy and excitement of one of the best TV mini series / movie of all time with my family. Needless to say that my family love this movies as much as I do. Having also read the books, I think I preferred the script writers version of Book 2,to the account in the book. I wished the script writers had done better on the book 3. I agree with all other reviews of book 3, it was a big let down. For me and my family, we decided that book 3 does not exist. So I recommend this movie very strongly to all who love good movies, good soaps and good factual / historical movies. The movies ignited my interest in the American civil war and having done some reading and research on that, I can tell you that the movie is historically factual and accurate. Well done John Jakes and thank you for such a wonderful story. It has everything and the music is the best part. Enjoy this movie and remember that pure friendship is anchored in true love. If we all strive for that then there will be no need for war.