tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post8573723489133549544..comments2024-01-27T02:00:46.694-05:00Comments on Yet Another Period Drama Blog: North and South ReviewMiss Dashwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15821653607968651548noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-4904436214652259012017-10-06T07:29:45.220-04:002017-10-06T07:29:45.220-04:00Hello! Has anyone else noticed the repeat in the f...Hello! Has anyone else noticed the repeat in the film of the train journey? When Margaret is travelling in the fourth episode (either up to Milton or back down to London, I forget) with Mr Lennox, it is actually a repeat of her train journey with her father (now supposedly deceased) in the background, sitting next to her. Am I right? Anyone else noticed this?<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-43714040693147749462017-07-18T05:56:33.530-04:002017-07-18T05:56:33.530-04:00And the end of the book and the movie. I hated bot...And the end of the book and the movie. I hated both at first, for different reasons. The dorky collar, like some 80s thing, was just not right. Margaret was very pretty there (why was she not in colors throughout?). The kiss of the hand would have been enough. Though Thornton's kiss now melts me, and I just pretend they're married, and it's not in the middle of blessed Grand Central Station. I looked it up, and engaged people could chastely kiss in public. I'm assuming the kiss is his idea of a proposal to meet hers. Just really tender kiss - he is mostly doing the kissing. And he is so happy at the end to take her home. I'm wondering where Margaret will stay - can she be unchaperoned in a hotel? Or can she stay at his home? That would be some fanfiction! But it's perfect in that they did need all that time to love that deeply. She had to change, and he had to change. They'll have such a good marriage of two equals. <br /><br />In the book, it's even better. Henry wisely bows out and even tells his sister in law to keep the room private for them. Then Margaret keeps Thornton waiting for an hour, and he doesn't complain. She's yammering on about Henry helping her with the "proposal" and Mr. Thornton is still jealously thinking Henry has his girl. In the book, Margaret tells him he can recoup what he's lost. And she tells him that she has $18,057 pounds to give him - which is so specific. It's also a reversal. All Mr. Thornton had as the basis for growth in society was money and power. Now, he has neither, and yet he is still valuable to Margaret as someone in whom she wishes to invest everything she has, down to the penny. She wants to tell him it's a proposal - movie says proposition, which is just weird - and it is. He sees her messing about with the papers, and it finally gets through his thick head that she loves him. I don't know why she covers her face or calls herself not worthy. Is she still thinking of the lie? She is worthy - again, she is saving him. <br /><br />I read that Gaskell was a Unitarian whose church believed in equal partnership of men and women - so this would fit. I don't know how he will feel about the money. We know he loved her without anything, and it would have been hard for the two of them to scrabble while he worked for Slickson or something, so this cash flow is just easier. I do NOT like her having to pay in kisses for those flowers. It's weird, capitalism love talk. And the that man/that woman thing is weirder still. But it is nice to think of the two of them finally blessed alone, in a quiet place, finally being able to express their love for each other. I imagine their life together as a good life. They are two of my favorite characters because of their honor and growth.JenniferNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-71859812050448771592017-07-18T05:52:27.747-04:002017-07-18T05:52:27.747-04:00I adore the book and the movie. The characters are...I adore the book and the movie. The characters are emblematic of the melding of the gentry to industry, the melding of masters and workers. Margaret lost the old (her family, her "values"). She was strong and a ballast for all those around her. Thornton is her match in that he is the same, only in the form of new money - new industry. They temper each other, Margaret demanding that Thornton get out of his hidey hole and speak with the workers as people, and Thornton helping Margaret find value in his character and endeavor, against the insipid London leisure foil.<br /><br />The book breaks my heart. So many pages of yearning, and of poor Margaret alone to endure all the crap. Deaths, loss, shame, etc. And where is Thornton when her dad dies? Why doesn't he come and give the poor lady a hug? And she locks herself into the study to faint. And seriously, in the movie, the lady is hit by a solid rock. Instead of getting carried into the house, Thornton mans it up a bit with all the bravado. It was a weird hug scene; in the book, she hugs him to shield him. I also wish it were clearer that the reason she disses the proposal so hard is her shame because of all the tittle tattle between the ladies - the idea that SHE threw herself at him! Though I think she does love him by this time, just a wee bit, in the book.<br /><br />Lord, the shame of the lie too! I was absolutely horrified that someone didn't pony up the goods on Frederick for a good year or so. What is up with Mr. Bell not booking it to see Thornton and reveal the truth? He knew there was something there - he commented on it and then warned Thornton that Henry liked her for her cash (though he didn't - it was just helpful). And why didn't she? Someone? Hello? I also thought it was sketchy that some guy died, and nothing happened because Thornton happened to be the sweetheart. I know the guy was a rogue and all that, but it still deserved an inquest. And after all that, Fred's still not cleared. I like the book version of Thornton better here. He didn't think the guy died because of violence; in the movie, he does. Also, in the book, he goes to Helstone to get the flowers, regardless of whether the mysterious train guy is her lover or not. He continues to love her.<br /><br />As for casting - I like the movie Mr. Bell. He's sassy, and dancy and fun. That twirl he does in Thornton's office! And he gets right away Margaret doesn't want him and just glosses the proposal. True old gentleman. I wouldn't have minded Ms. Hale in the movie, but she has so many tells as an actress that make it more fake than it should be. The book Ms. Hale was passionate, solid, worthy, and someone equal to Mr. Thornton - that's what I was seeking. She became less pretty to me because I wanted the depth of acting and feeling as a match. Richard Armitage as Mr. Thornton makes my heart stop now. At first I didn't like his sharp appearance, and he still should smile more (the book has her finding his first beauty in his smile), but his sweet grin at the end was very nice. He has such range and depth for this character - spot on intuition in playing him, despite any directional changes. The only break would be the "I would like to play the overbearing master" line delivery - while hilarious to us, that would be more to us than Mr. Thornton, who was chaste as heck in his love - or rather, dropping to the feet of his love rather than imagining her in compromising positions. Book Mr. Thornton dreamed of poor Ms. Hale wrapping her arms around his neck to cry out her loss over her mom, and took elaborate pains to press and dry flowers. He has limited exploration or imagination of the hot, steamy passion we seem to like in film nowadays. The man's just happy to have a handshake! <br /><br />Too many characters of a different sort - I'll continue in another post.<br />JenniferNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-23973089090467402522017-05-31T05:20:02.532-04:002017-05-31T05:20:02.532-04:00North and South had to grow on me before I liked i...North and South had to grow on me before I liked it.<br />The first time I read the book I was a bit put off by the FACT THAT EVERYBODY DIED. Here are my reactions to the deaths.<br />1 Mrs Hale's death: Heartstring-tugging, integral part of the plot, well written, brings appropriate amounts of angst and complications into Margaret's life. 10/10.<br />2 Mr Hale's death: Oh, come on, Mrs Gaskell! You've just killed off one of the poor girl's parents and now you want to have her left with none? Mr Hale wouldn't have posed an obstacle to her eventual marriage with Mr Thornton. Wait...wait... Ah, now I get it. You want her to have the funding of Mr Bell in order to save Thornton's mill. Now I get it. Meh. A bit random, but we'll let that pass. 5/10.<br />3 Mr Bell's death: WOMAN, YOU ARE A MURDERESS! WHY THE HECK DID YOU DO THAT? I LIKED THE GUY AND NOW MARGARET IS COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY ALONE! For goodness sake, he may have been ill for some time - but you only told me about it two seconds ago. Not cool. 0.5/10Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15690612581130215082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-69097030217399101442017-04-22T23:00:29.640-04:002017-04-22T23:00:29.640-04:00Love the BBC adaptation but I noticed something th...Love the BBC adaptation but I noticed something the last time through....not sure why I didn't notice before: during Mr Thornton's first proposal Margaret says Bessy Higgins has died and almost the next scene in the following episode shows her visiting Bessy and she doesn't actually die until about 12 minutes into the third episode. Oops! Anyone else catch that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-41471367697536731872017-01-02T21:43:18.514-05:002017-01-02T21:43:18.514-05:00I cannot watch this show any longer, and I'm o...I cannot watch this show any longer, and I'm only at Episode 3<br /><br />For one thing, why would a gorgeous, rich, intelligent and self-made man like Thornton want with an absolutely humorless, homely, ill-dressed, non-fun, self-righteous prude like that awful Margaret? It got to the point where I could not watch another minute of the actress who plays Margaret- I just couldn't STAND her<br /><br />Fanny is a caricature, and therefore not anything close to a real human being, and Mother Thornton is also an absolute pill, almost as big a pill as Margaret; the only (farfetched) reason that Thornton could possibly even give Margaret a second look, is that he's looking for a replicate of his horrible, humorless, unappealing, sourpuss mother in his choice of a wife (boring, homely Margaret)<br /><br />And the parts with Nicholas and Bessie were ridiculous. People who worked in factories in those days were completely illiterate, to the point that their particular vernacular is a foreign language, and Bessie and Nicholas practically speak the King's English<br /><br />And no one from the cultured background of Margaret would be caught dead skulking around the ghetto they live, and on an almost daily basis, for many reasons including vermin, disease, germs, criminality &c. Come on<br /><br />Maybe no one around this blog has ever read the actual books upon which various of these period dramas are based. North and South makes the most ridiculous leaps, making it utterly impossible for me to continue watchingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-73103230739263725902015-11-11T09:57:02.757-05:002015-11-11T09:57:02.757-05:00Kudos to the film crew, from actors to directors, ...Kudos to the film crew, from actors to directors, producers, scriptwriters etc for bringing to life the wonderful classic, bring much enjoyment and delight to viewers the world over!<br /><br />Thoroughly enjoyed N & S from start to end. The train opening and closing scenes were a wonderful idea and a fitting romantic end to the series. Could be a tad longer. Characters were well played out, dreary realistic settings, each episode was well-paced and had great art direction. DDA and RA were absolutely marvelous in their roles, couldn't be better. Could watch this series over and over again!Scarletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12447283740743232682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-20778565974063362892015-11-06T08:17:24.531-05:002015-11-06T08:17:24.531-05:00A suggestion for all who love this story, whether ...A suggestion for all who love this story, whether in book or movie form: you owe it to yourselves to track down and listen to the unabridged audiobook version of North and South, read by the wonderful actress Juliet Stevenson. She does a fabulous job with the story, the accents, the voices (male and female), and brings it all vivdly alive! I listen to a lot of audioboks, and this is quite simply the best and most enjoyable I've ever heard. Listening to a great and artistic story brought to life by a creative and skillful actress is another and different way to experience Mrs G's work. Audible has the audiobook, and I know it's available in other forms as well--my public library had it.Gary Storrshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16081757634681268058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-34603445373294799242015-10-05T02:44:43.555-04:002015-10-05T02:44:43.555-04:00I watched the series a few times and I adore it.
I...I watched the series a few times and I adore it.<br />I wish they made it a big longer.<br />Very much enjoy reading all reviews. <br /><br />DeeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-43188668350431579632015-05-10T23:55:37.927-04:002015-05-10T23:55:37.927-04:00I love North & South! I have watched it once, ...I love North & South! I have watched it once, a long time ago, and I really want to see it again! (My sister's studying the Industrial Revolution as part of her history, so we'll probably watch it 'cos it's relevant to that. Besides, any excuse to watch it again!)<br /><br />It was the first sombre sort of movie I'd watched, (I'd mainly seen Austen, P&P and S&S that were still....pretty and visually nice, if you know what I mean) and I thought it was a bit awful at first....that is, poor Boutcher (and his kid, argh!), and Bessie and Mrs. Hale.....<br />The whole Frederick and the guy at the train station thing had me in agonies...<br /><br />Then there are the Pride & Prejudice similarities - I mean, the Double Proposals, and the Pride and the Prejudice, and Mr Thornton intervening for her about Fred - EVEN after he thought she'd "betrayed" him!<br /><br />My mum and sisters love to imitate the Northern accent - clench your teeth and you get the Mrs Thornton just about right!<br /><br />The other thing I love about the movie is that from Margaret's perspective you can see both sides to a certain extent - the workers and the employer. <br />And is it just me, or are the Boutcher kid and Mr Thornton sooo cute?!<br /><br />I must confess I never really liked Mrs Thornton much (especially when she tells Margaret what to do) , but she really does love her son, and she's pretty strong, especially to put up with Fanny......<br />...who, by the way, is one of the most hilarious characters in a period drama! "You were in no danger!"<br /><br />Oh, and The Eponine! My friend and sister and I were musing on that just yesterday....<br /><br />I have to say, I disliked Henry from the start, even before Mr Thornton came along. Yes, I think I ship him and Anne Latimer. Though they're both a bit boring and quiet sometimes. Especially Anne.<br /><br />Anyway, think I'll leave it there....<br />Great post, Amy!Emily Blakeneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09253165290676300353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-27223761064277321902015-03-09T13:22:20.144-04:002015-03-09T13:22:20.144-04:00AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!! To EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!! To EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!ButterflyBaileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11595427765320385757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-30771550994093265102015-01-19T11:40:52.641-05:002015-01-19T11:40:52.641-05:00Hi Jennifer, I'll try to answer your question....Hi Jennifer, I'll try to answer your question. I believe that if Margaret looked weary to you throughout the film, then Daniela Denby-Ashe was acting her role well. It's difficult to understand and fully sympathize with Margaret without reading the novel. which gives so much more insight into what was going on. The compounding trials laid upon Margaret almost from the beginning of the story are quite staggering if you consider it. These are the most difficult years of her life. At 18/19 she must leave a much-loved home, shoulder the weight of mentally supporting her parents, try to acclimate to a much less lovely and entirely different culture, watch her mother slowly weaken and die, watch her new friend worsen and die, bear the secret responsibility of her brother's safety, try to analyze her growing affection and respect for a man she cruelly rejected (while he knows her to have lied to the police), and bear it all cheerfully as possible so that her father won't succumb to overwhelming self-condemnation and grief ( he dies anyway), and then she gets shipped right back to London where she never wanted to be and was glad to leave in the very beginning. <br />It's a testament to the strength of Margaret's character that she can find moments to smile and be happy at all in the middle of everything. <br />Gaskell originally intended to call her work "Margaret Hale" and I think it would have worked well enough. The reader is suppose to experience Milton through her eyes and be sympathetic to the confusion and growth of the character in her transition from girl to a more mature and experienced woman.<br />You may have guessed that "North and South" is my favorite novel. :)<br />Hope that gives a better perspective. Trudyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17286943933853228251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-51450345948781112952015-01-18T02:19:17.900-05:002015-01-18T02:19:17.900-05:00Can anyone tell me why Miss hale always looked sic...Can anyone tell me why Miss hale always looked sickly or very tired? It is one of the things that drove me crazy and made me feel tired just watching her being tired.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14061543786427178590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-45813990327443920912014-09-12T19:58:29.422-04:002014-09-12T19:58:29.422-04:00By the way, this post keeps popping up at the top ...By the way, this post keeps popping up at the top of the 'popular posts' widget thingy. Wonder why. <br />*Henry Lennox smirk*Miss Elliothttp://puritanobserver.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-6807566323577393282014-07-13T09:00:39.766-04:002014-07-13T09:00:39.766-04:00To sum up:
I love North & South.
The End.
Just...To sum up:<br />I love North & South.<br />The End.<br />Just kidding (but I do love it).<br />Wow, this movie is like The Scarlet Pimpernel in disguise. (I mean the movie in disguise, not Sir Percy, haha. He's in disguise already most of the time.) Think about it:<br />Margaret and Marguerite.<br />Two beautiful heroines lying to their love interests to save their brothers. <br />The only thing we're missing is Chauvalin. Oh wait, Henry can be Chauvalin, he'd love it! <br />But all joking aside, I love this movie- the actors, the music- Oh, the MUSIC!!! <br />Everything.<br />Thanks for this review, and for introducing me to Margaret Hale and John Thornton- even though, ugh, John is SUCH a stick-in-the-mud.<br />P. S. Is that all Margaret's hair, do you think? Because I've tried and tried to do my hair like hers and I have failed.<br />I LOVE NORTH & SOUTH.<br />The End.<br />puritanobserver.wordpress.com/Miss Elliotnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-37477288616651428962014-07-12T22:32:50.365-04:002014-07-12T22:32:50.365-04:00I waited a bit before watching this one- mostly be...I waited a bit before watching this one- mostly because I didn't want it to be over...<br />Episode 4.<br />I have to say, Mr. Hale's death... that really got me, mostly because I wasn't expecting it. It was one thing I hadn't heard of already, from you or someone else. So yeah. I didn't actually cry, but I sat there stunned for a few minutes. I mean, one minute he's happy at Oxford, feeling ten years younger, and then there's Mr. Bell to tell Margaret that her father has died. <br />Oh yes, Mr. Bell. I felt SO SORRY for him. Here he is dying and leaving his money to a girl he thought he could marry...<br />Oh and I love, love, love Nicholas Higgins. His interaction with Mr. Thornton in this episode is...wow. FINALLY the two best men in the movie understand and even like each other. <br />It's odd, at the beginning of the movie I thought Margaret was right to be snobbish to Mr. Thornton (and I still think that), but really, as the movie went on, I thought, Margaret, if I walked around the way you do, my mother would give me a talking to. (That was an accidental rhyme, by the way. You see I'm a bit of a poet, and *you* did not know it, what?) <br />Anyway...<br />I LOVE the last scene. Love it, love it. BUT- <br />it's too short.<br />As the credits rolled, I thought, oh come ON, we've spent almost four hours wishing for this couple to be together, and we get five minutes. AND, Henry the Scowler is WATCHING from the train. And waht happpens to poor Frederick? And.....? <br />But it was really, really sweet. "You don't need Henry to explain." And his face when he thinks she's leaving him again, but she's just going to get her bag...<br />"You're coming home with me?"<br />Oh yes, so sweet. Miss Elliotnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-38847201134259691592014-07-11T14:21:49.224-04:002014-07-11T14:21:49.224-04:00Episode 3!!!
Oh, I have no words. So I won't t...Episode 3!!!<br />Oh, I have no words. So I won't try to describe my emotions at this point.<br />To start:<br />As soon as Frederick came on-screen, I went, hmmmmm, have I seen him before? Then- "IT'S FRANK CHURCHILL!!!" At last Rupert Evans gets a good role- well, Frank Churchill wasn't too bad. He and Jane Fairfax were really cute together. And (except for the rather ridiculous hair) he looked so much the same (but five years younger, of course) that I almost expected him to say "That girl I wrote you about- Jane Fairfax- she's....I wish you and Father could meet her. You would love her." So I giggled about that for a minute. <br />But I couldn't giggle for long. It's just sad- Bessie dies, Mrs. Hale dies, oh, it's just awful. The scene where Margaret and Fred say goodbye at the station is just heart-breaking. <br />Oh and the POLICEMAN. I liked the policeman, and I hate it when good characters have to lie to good people to save someone else's life. (Yes, very strong Orzcy vibes in this movie.)<br />SO many people die in this episode. <br />Anyway...<br />"Any foolish passion I had for you is over." <br />Miss Elliotnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-61975742801935759452014-07-11T10:01:39.800-04:002014-07-11T10:01:39.800-04:00Ok, episode 2:
Wow, what a movie. I am liking it m...Ok, episode 2:<br />Wow, what a movie. I am liking it more and more, but for some reason (and I'm watching it on DailyMotion, so that may be part of the problem) I can't hear very much of what Mr. Thornton says: his gravelly voice (which I love, by the way, along with his accent) combined with his moodiness...well, 'twere next to impossible finding his voice. Sink me, if everyone isn't so equal in your new society that no one wants to do the enunciatin' any more. <br />Moving on-<br />I love the riot scene where Margaret tells him to go out and face the crowd like a man. And then takes a rock for him. "Are you satisfied now? It was me you came for- kill me if you want." Oh. My. Word. <br />And Dixon- I love Dixon. She's just so sweet.<br />Oh, and the PROPOSAL. I nearly cried. One can see why she refused him- I think I would have refused him- but ohhh... <br />"I do not wish to possess you, I wish to marry you because I love you!"<br />And Bessie dying...there is no worse way to die than gasping out your last moments...and she was so sweet. I agree with you, Miss Dashwood, we didn't see enough of her. And of course that's Mr. Thornton's fault too. (And I like his smolder- I like smoldery heros {Mr. Rochester, anyone?}- but of course they must become unsmoldery when they meet up with the heroine).<br />Oh, and by the way, you're wrong when you say I don't know the meaning of love. Quite wrong.<br />puritanobserver.wordpress.com/Miss Elliotnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-34908778849101655382014-07-10T20:14:07.440-04:002014-07-10T20:14:07.440-04:00To start:
Loved your review!! Your reviews are alw...To start:<br />Loved your review!! Your reviews are always so clear and even the rambly parts make sense! <br />I am going to comment as I watch this movie episode by episode. I just watched the first one, so here goes:<br />I love it so far! The music, the actors, everything! The only technical problem is that it's kind of dark and you can't see the actors' faces. But oh well. Also, at this stage I can't imagine Margaret marrying Mr. Thornton. I mean, he's drop-dead handsome and romantic and all. And I know that he's going to end up with Margaret, but seriously? KICKING someone when they're on the ground? <br />Anyway...<br />I love the last scene of episode 1- "I have seen hell. It is white. Snow-white." <br />So yeah. Basically all day after watching this episode, I've been walking around in the mid-19th century. <br />Check out my blog!!<br />puritanobserver.blogspot.comMiss Elliotnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-16196891946683759402013-11-08T06:15:53.924-05:002013-11-08T06:15:53.924-05:00I'm from Mumbai, India & I found the story...I'm from Mumbai, India & I found the story (as depicted in the mini series) touching a chord, despite having little or no exposure to any culture beyond my country. It is one of the very best movies that I have ever seen.<br /><br />The portrayal of such an intense romance in a bleak & insipid town of North England (without visual props like Pemberly Estate!) is not easy. The no-nonsense harshness of an industrial town, the lifestyles & conflicts of the people in different socio-economic strata, are tellingly depicted.<br /><br />All the actors have essayed their roles superbly. Between Richard Armitage & Daniela Denby-Ashe's commendable performances, I'd vote for the latter (only just). While Richard excelled with his intensely expressive (& often smolderingly brooding) eyes & a very impressive body language cum screen presence, Daniela had to match up to that high standard by the sheer dint of her acting prowess. And match up she did! Expressive countenance, eloquent eyes &, most importantly, superb voice-modulation while reeling off her lines with utmost expressiveness. Surely a most memorable performance.<br /><br />As for the famous railway station scene, let me hazard saying that the 'kiss' seemed a tad out of place. Both Margaret & John were way too restrained in their personalities to let their guard down & kiss each other in a public place. That said, the scene, upto the 'kiss' is sheer bliss. The way in which Margaret responds to John touch her hand - tentatively at first, & then, lifting his hand to kiss it gently, transcends geographical borders. Both John & Margaret had lonely lives. Anyone, with such fine & upright moral values as both, are rare species & hence, generally lonely. And now, all misunderstandings have been mitigated, all adverse feelings have been dissolved. They can now be together. Margaret kissing John's hand is a very pure moment in this movie.<br /><br />The couple kissing inside the railway carriage is somewhat okay though I'd have loved to see the scene fade away with the lady's head resting on the fine gentleman's shoulder while they admire the countryside passing by. They not only found love but solace as well.<br /><br />A very small nitpick: John's sister (Fanny) was portrayed in a maliciously insensitive way in her final appearance. Especially her dig about John's marriage-prospects when the latter was professionally devastated. Just keeping her role as a snooty & feather-brained girl would have been just fine. :)<br /><br />Thanks for your detailed review. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.<br /><br />Warm regards,<br />Archisman.Archiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07201633379361131757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-16759167558111536212013-08-09T00:21:48.851-04:002013-08-09T00:21:48.851-04:00And, also, Richard Armitage (Mr. Thornton) is Thor...And, also, Richard Armitage (Mr. Thornton) is Thorin Oakenshield in "The Hobbit" - hence my mother, elder sister and I have decided to dub Mr. Thornton "Mr. Thorinton". Yes. Anyway....<br /><br />Fanny is probably my favourite character! <br /><br />I think North & South is much different to other Period Dramas (except perhaps Amazing Grace) in that is a lot sadder and has a much "deeper" plot, if you will.<br /><br />EmilyEmily Blakeneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09253165290676300353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-86316387249052296512013-07-26T13:01:31.633-04:002013-07-26T13:01:31.633-04:00Mr Thornton is my absolute favorite romantic hero....Mr Thornton is my absolute favorite romantic hero. I try to imagine what he has endured over the years while he spent his life working provide home and renew the status of his family. It blows me away. He has put his own needs last for how long? That's why I understand his extreme anguish when he finally find something he wants for his own and he doesn't seem to be able to get it - that the girl he wants thinks he isn't good enough. And he's such a gem! Talk about pure devotion and fidelity!<br />I believe I understand Margaret very well. She was under great shame and emotional distress when she rejected him. She regretted it very soon after. It doesn't take long for her to realize her great mistake - but by then she cannot let herself dwell on it, it's too painful!<br />I love Mrs. Thornton! She doesn't hate Margaret's character. She rather admires it. Gaskell tells us so in at least two different places. What she hates is that Margaret looked down on her son and - what really galled her - rejected him! I have no problem believing that Hannah will come around once she realizes Margaret adores her son (as she should!).<br />Ann Latimer is a screenplay invention to let us see a little of Margaret's growing attraction and, later, regret.<br />I agree that this story shouldn't be compared with Austen's. They're written in completely different eras and with a different style and message.<br />Oh, and Gaskell did make fun of her own use of so many deaths to propel her plot. She joked to a friend that she was considering calling her nobel "Death and Variations." Lol! <br />I love Gaskell's passionate prose. If anything, I'd compare her to Bronte, not Austen, which everyone seems to do. :)Trudyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17286943933853228251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-74222485906346130282013-06-13T13:42:48.918-04:002013-06-13T13:42:48.918-04:00You don't love North and South?! ShockGaspHorr...You don't love North and South?! ShockGaspHorror! Fair enough though, I myself don't love the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice. Oh, don't get me wrong. I do really like it and I think it's the best adaptation of the book overall. I just don't it's as perfect as everyone else thinks it is. I think how you feel about N&S is how I feel about P&P. Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08112080523452829647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-31323584524815102012013-04-02T17:10:40.882-04:002013-04-02T17:10:40.882-04:00I have to say that first of all I of course respec...I have to say that first of all I of course respect every girl's opinion on N&S and I understand that it is not the movie for everyone (hehe, ask my mom, she'll give you her own opinion on it :), but it is definitely my favorite BBC period drama of all time, seconded by P&P 1995. Mr. Thornton is my hero... I just loved his tall, dark, and handsome presence, his reserve and dignity, his strong love for Margaret (who, in my opinion, is absolutely gorgeous), and of course, his smolder. :) I could watch North and South over and over again and never tire of it. :)Meeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08057852084561496151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6373804891656164472.post-18252599089608675902013-04-01T16:43:09.260-04:002013-04-01T16:43:09.260-04:00Hi there Miss Dashwood-Amy
I read this post a whil...Hi there Miss Dashwood-Amy<br />I read this post a while ago and I thought I had commented but I guess it was only in my head =)<br />Ok so..down to business. <br />1: That quote is a favorite in my house! <br />2:N&S is WAY over TOPS P&P´95...just sayin´I DO truly love P&P95 but N&S .....well its just perfect..you see?<br />Totally a favorite and probably top 2. The author is more than amazing.<br />I watched the movie probably four times before i read the book and then since then i have read the book 6 times..alot? by no means, that book is more than classic it is EPIC(and for the record, i dont really use that word to describe things much at all)<br />3:Margaret....wow! I am amazed and shocked and saddened...she IS drop dead gorgeous and she is so strong ...and serene, I LOVE her, I would say she is my most ideal heroine, I love and i do mean LOVE Anne Shirley, AGG is my favorite movie in the world but i look up to Margaret! <br />4: Richard Armitage...oops i meant Mr. Thornton,....really..dont you believe me? <br />And YES RA IS Mr.Thornton.<br />His accent..ditto, tall dark and handsome..TOTALLY swoon worthy! I´m practically melting as I type.<br />Yes, also he is my FAVORITE hero, once again Gilbert Blythe is still the sweetest/cutest/funniest but as far as strong moral character..that is what i appreciate more. <br />And, Mr.Knightly, oh yes, very awesome, but he is top five, not top 2. =) [sorry dahling]<br />5: The Higginses...so amazing!<br />And yes, the movie is soooo much better portrayal of them than the book. Nicholas is my second favorite guy in the movie..just almost equal to Mr.Thornton though!!!<br />6: Totally agree about Bessy.<br />7: Mrs.Thornton, well yes, I admit i liked her even when i couldnt stand her, her strong character was terrific. but her mis-judgement of Margaret really annoys me! <br />8: Yep,Fanny. Agree.<br />9:Ann Latimer, mmmmm-hmmm .btw. she wasnt even in the book i dont know if anyone realized?????<br />10:Henry Lennox.<br />I liked him. in both movie and book and he could have been and was a nice guy but just not for Margaret. <br />11:yeah i dont like misunderstanding either ..but it was good in this book<br />12.the ending<br />I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!From here to forever!!!!!!!!!<br />ANd i feel the exact same way as Petie...so there. <br />I wont dialogue more i will simply close.<br />(quote?) Julia Rogershttp://rogersramblings.shutterfly.comnoreply@blogger.com