Nord e sud II

Book One of this great mini-series ended on the brink of the Civil War, and now with Book Two, based on John Jakes' novel "Love & War", we are thrown dramatically into the unfolding of the proceedings.

The North and the South are greatly divided in this full scale war which is beautifully staged on the screen with some very tense battles of hatred and prejudice.

However, throughout all the warfare that is taking place we are taken on a further journey of the Pennsylvanian Hazard family and the South Carolina Main family. The story not only unfolds through the eyes of best friends, George & Orry but includes the trials and tribulations of other members of their families. We have a fine supporting cast once again, even though we have a couple of new players they appear to enhance their character's stories - Parker Stevenson as Billy Hazard and Mary Crosby as Isabell Hazard.

Book Two also features the great acting mimicry of Hal Holbrook as Abraham Lincoln, and also a big congratulations to the make-up department in aiding with his portrayal.

North & South: Book Two is a must-see and a must-buy for any Civil War enthusiast, as well as any fan of the Hazard and Main families. This mini-series must be regarded as one of the best TV sequels of all-time!

Better late than never. I do not watch T.V. I try, I really do but then the commercials come on and you soon forget what you're suppose to be watching. Anyway, my favorite niece came to town and asked me if I would tape north and south for her, before I knew what I was getting into I said yes. It took several days, a week, I think, before the first installment was over. By then I was in shock because while taping the series for her I "paused" over the commercials. I was exhausted when I finally handed her the tapes. But something had happened to me. I liked what I saw. I was looking through my "movie catalog" and noticed that both books were available on DVD. I bought them. I like a good story and North and South were very good TV adaptations. The production values were outstanding and the costumes, especially for the ladies, were a real eye treat. And yes, I read the first book and although there were differences it didn't stop me from enjoying the mini-series. The scope of the undertaking outdoes Gone With The Wind and the acting was up to anything the movies might offer. One of the things I like about north and south was how they didn't avoid the slavery issue as so many films about that era does ( I never could figure that out.) Anyone who likes a good story told at an interesting pace should love north and south. It should not be missed. Thank you.

As a result of seeing this for the 1st time 2wks ago I had to order my own series. Now I'm waiting with intensity for it. Great portrayal of events happening during that time. They did not skate over the slavery issue. The relationship between families and friends was substained during horrible time. The girl who played Ashton was our own scarlet ohara. Casting great, a Patrick Swayze I have never seen before. He and Lesley Ann Down had a special chemistry that played off each other great. Every time I heard the music played as they met there was an intensity in it. Great period customs,the setting was great. David Carradine and Genie Francis,Reed, so many great actors and actress. Don't forget Kristie Alley, she gave a strong performance. Seen her in lighter roles, but here she was outstanding. One thing that I can appreciate also was a saying by the president that Orry Main repeated at his mom's funeral. It goes something like this. "With malice toward none", let us bind up the nations wounds,have charity for all....This is the kind of nation we need. We need one also, where we would forget about past hurts,because concentrating on them, keeps us in the past. This is a movie that makes you want to go on and achieve.

NORTH AND SOUTH, BOOK II has to be one of the best TV mini-series ever made about the Civil War. Everything about it is epic, including the battle scenes and the scope of the story which uses the Civil War background in an interesting way. Many real-life personalities are woven into the story of love and friendship during the war--including HAL HOLBROOK, impressive as Abraham Lincoln, and LLOYD BRIDGES as Jefferson Davis.

Once again, the fortunes of the Hazzarads and the Mains is told in interesting vignettes that take shape as the story progresses through the start of the war until the end. Along the way, you'll recognize a lot of famous names, including KIRSTIE ALLEY, in one of her unlikeliest dramatic roles, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND, David CARRADINE, LESLEY-ANNE DOWN, PARKER STEVENSON, PATRICK SWAYZE, LEE HORSLEY, JEAN SIMMONS and JAMES STEWART. Olivia de Havilland has told an amusing anecdote of how she only accepted the role of Mrs. Neal, the head nurse, when told that she tended to the wounded of both North and South--since the South had already only known her as Melanie, the flower of southern womanhood in GWTW.

Photographed in color, it's exceptionally well filmed with sets and costumes that are above reproach. Aside from the romantic angle, it presents an accurate picture of the Civil War era and is a sort of history lesson as well as a compelling drama.

Well worth viewing and every bit as impressive as Book I.

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.