Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #435 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-04-11
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Box set, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 233 minutes

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!!!
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!
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
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.