I have experienced the mini-series that is North & South and I am in love. A while ago, Kate aka Katiebabs, put a clip of the last four minutes of the movie on Twitter. After watching it, I knew I had to see this movie. John Thornton, played by Richard Armitage, is definitely going on my boyfriend list ;)
From Amazon: North & South is a splendid, four-hour adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell’s 19th century novel about an unlikely, and somewhat star-crossed, love between a middle-class young woman from England’s cultivated south and an intemperate if misunderstood industrialist in a hardscrabble, northern city. Daniela Denby-Ashe plays Margaret Hale, forthright and strong-willed daughter of a former vicar (Tim Pigott-Smith) who relocates his family from a pastoral village outside London to unforgiving, largely illiterate Milton, a factory town where John Thornton (Richard Armitage) and his mother (Sinead Cusack), survivors of poverty, rule their cotton mill with an iron hand. Thornton befriends Margaret’s father but incurs her wrath for his severity with his workers. What she doesn’t notice is Thornton’s core sense of responsibility for his employees’ welfare. On the other hand, he misinterprets some of Margaret’s own actions and intentions. Equally stubborn, the two drag out their obvious attraction over many painful months and events.
Yes, this movie is all full of angst and longing and misunderstanding and I loved every second of it. It is not one of those movies where you will have a good laugh, but it is so romantic. Some observations:
I enjoy a man that broods.
What is up with this Nicholas and Bessie Higgins?
I enjoy a man that broods.<-----LUSTING
Oh, does Mr. Thornton brood. So intense and serious all the time. The way he stares after Margaret when she is not looking. I tried to get my husband to look brooding last night – but it turned to be just a weird looking frown. Sigh..I will make him practice – maybe make him grow sideburns and wear a cravat too.
Could anyone else understand Thornton’s mother?
Seriously, I felt like I had a hearing problem when she talked. I don’t know if it is just her accent or the fact that she never opened her mouth. At one point I tried to turn on the closed captioning but I have no idea how to use our remote. I think I got the basic gist of what she was saying – “my son is MINE!” I have two boys, and I really hope when they are old enough to move out and move on with their lives, I let them. She was not lettin’ her boy go! Yes, she comes around at the end, but damn.
What is up with this Nicholas and Bessie Higgins?<-----He's not old enough to be her daddy!
Nicholas and Bessie are a father and daughter who work at Thornton’s mill and are friends with Margaret. I swear the entire movie I kept thinking the girl was his wife – but no she is suppose to be his daughter. This bothers me. Doesn’t he look like her husband? I looked up their real life ages and he is 15 years older than she is, so yes, in real life they could have been father daughter. I’m still bothered.
My two favorite scenes
First, when Margaret decides to leave Milton and go live with her aunt in the country. Wait for the “Look back. Look back at me.” (note the amount of brooding as well)
Margaret!! You killed me. Just look back at him. Just a glance. I would have looked back – well, let’s face it, I would have shacked up with Thornton the minute he asked – HA. But Margaret had to go play hard to get.
BUT – the ending makes it all worth it. Fours hours of angst and brooding and you get these fabulous five minutes. Thornton’s shirt is scandalously unbuttoned – the look at the :42 second mark and the kiss at the 2:30 mark, le sigh.
Have you seen it? Do you love it? Do you want a man in your life that broods?
No, I haven't seen it but now I'm going to! I didn't know of this BBC production. I can never go wrong in watching a mini-series produced by BBC. They are really great at good series based on books(at least I think so :D).
Now, where have I seen that lady that playes Margareth? I'm off Googleing..
If anyone else wonders about the same; the lady in question is Daniela Denby-Ashe. She plays Janey in the British comedy series "My Family", that's where I've seen her before at least :)
BBC does do great things. I also love A&E miniseries – like Pride and Prejudice :)
I think Elizabeth Gaskell also wrote Cranford, which was an excellent miniseries on Masterpiece Theater.
Oh good, glad you liked it. I keep trying to get people to watch this!! So awesome. I also watched the Wives and Daughters miniseries which is based off the unfinished book by the same author who wrote North and South (Elizabeth Gaskell), and it's good too (but I liked North and South better).
I've heard of Wives and Daughters..need to check it out.
I loved this series. The book is also excellent, as are many of Elizabeth Gaskell's novels.
I have not seen it, but when Kristie J did that post a while while back on it… I thought I was going to get hit with something through cyberspace because I told her that I had not seen it!
So… I made a vow… this fall/winter season down here is hunting season and hubby will be gone for the weekends… So I am renting the movie and watching it one night!
I can not wait to get my hands on Richard. I mean the movie! =)
And if you are putting him down on your list of boyfriends… then I am definitely renting this sucker!!!
Have a great weekend!
I still have to play catch up with various BBC mini series but there is a lack of time *headdesk*
Glad your change in "virgin status" was so pleasurable :)
Sarah – I should really read the book!!
Cecile – you can watch it but you better remember whose his girlfriend is! ME! HA ;)
Leontine – I feel ya on the time issue!
I love "North & South" since I discovered it 4 years ago. And I have watch i many times, I lost count. I just rewatched it ~ 2 weeks ago und last night a put in the last scene, because it's so perfect. The kiss, the music everything.
Hey Mandi!
I have the video in my stacks, however "hangs head in shame", I'm still virginal.
I'm going to try and watch it when on vacation at the end of the month. ;)
Thanks for sharing!
I watched it when it came out on television, I was young… I think I watched just to see Patrick Swayze! I should probably watch it again now that I'm an adult.
Have you seen my TBR pile? Do I need distractions like this? I need more hours in the day. Off to google that.
This looks great, I'll check it out. Thanks. :)
I've watched it and i've loved it! The BBC series or adaptations are rarely anything but amazing. North and South is so sweet, and THAT man is so sexy. Gah now i want to watch it again!
Isn't Mr. Thornton just to die for? Le sigh…
Imzadi – the music is great in it:)
Lea – Let me know if you like it!
Patti – *giggles* I don't think you really read my post..HA..caught ya;)
FV – Yes – I must distract you! Hey – I'm distracting you with a SMEXY man! How can that be bad? ;)
Pattepoilue – Oh he is sexy..hot damn.
Keira – I ditto the le sigh.
I LOVEEEEE Thornton! OMG.
I saw N&S last year, fell in love, he's amazing!
sasha – I love him too..we can share him;) Maybe. lol.
Hi Mandi!
Yes, I've seen it, I believe I have the whole thing on DVD, I should dig it out and watch it again.
That last scene was part of Lea's kissage contest, I do believe it won.
Dottie :)
I'm probably the only one who detest this series…
I am glad you are loving it though and you are amoung friends who really like this series..
E.H
Love the post…
O-M-G! I can NOT believe I haven't seen this yet!!!
Oh VFG! You must! ;)
I am in love with Richard A's neck. Never have a seen a man pull off wearing a cravat so well.
The train scene has to be the most romantic ending to any movie I have ever watched.
I also recommend the book. John is not as brooding in the book and a is a bit dorky but the way he feels for Margaret is wonderful. The ending in the book is wonderful also.
I watched it for the first time a few months ago and had the same reaction. Fantastic! sigh
I have not seen it. It's becoming increasingly obvious that I should, though. :)
I rented the first segment of this series about two weeks ago based on KatieBabs rec on Twitter. *whispers* But I didn't watch it!! I'm sooo bad about watching TV – even when I want to. I get distracted very easy. I have the attention span of a 3 yr old most days. LOL!
But I will watch this mini-series!
*Droools*
I love, love this series. There are some scenes I just could watch forever, and not just cos Richard is the most handsome man in the while freakin universe, well except for my cutie ;)