North and South, Book II

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.

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!

Well, what can I say about the sequal to the best Civil War movie ever made. The same cast was there including a few new ones, and I happy to see old Bent get his in the end, and Ashton too. Although Bent did come back in the third movie. What was that about? This movie depicted a very accurate account of the events during the Civil War and shortly afterward. If you have seen the first movie, and then watch the second. It is not disappointing. Patrick Swayze and James Ried are at their absolute best. The cast and crew pulled off a second hit!

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.