Nord et sud 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.

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!

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.

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!

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!