North and South: The Complete Collection (Books 1-3)
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Actor: David Carradine, Kirstie Alley, Lesley-Anne Down, Mary Crosby, Philip CasnoffBrand: Warner Brothers
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Box set, Collector's Edition, Color, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 1212 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-10-05
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: American Broadcasting Company (ABC)
DVD Reviews of North and South: The Complete Collection (Books 1-3)
DVD Review: Entertaining Historical Epic But With Some Flaws
Summary: 4 Stars
Very rarely does a show come along that I have such strong mixed feelings about as this miniseries. "North and South" is a tremendously ambitious effort that centers around the friendship of two West Point grads, Orry Main (from the South) and George Hazard (from the North). The story begins in the 1840's, just before the Mexican War, and concludes in the Reconstruction era following the Civil War.
On the positive side, this miniseries is extremely entertaining, with a huge cast of characters and an endless series of dramatic twists and turns to the storyline. This is history served up as melodrama for a vast audience and, on this level, it largely succeeds. It depicts the Civil War era with a reasonable degree of historical accuracy and educates people that might otherwise never have much interest. For example, my wife is not nearly as interested in the study of history as I am. But she became addicted to watching these DVDs and I could hardly pry her away from the TV. We discussed what was happening as we watched together and there is no doubt she knows much more about American history than before. By the way, my wife is originally from Ecuador and is a big fan of Spanish language "telenovellas," which are similar to soap operas and hugely popular throughout Latin America. I am normally not a fan of melodrama myself. But the "North and South" does manage to pull it off in a way that is never boring and, for the most part, alot of fun.
But, with all that being said, I did have some problems with it. For one, the characters tended to be very one-dimensional. This was especially true for the villans such as Elkanah Bent and Ashton Main. But even, to some extent, for the primary characters such as George and Orry. These guys were honorable to a point that defied reality and they fought like super heroes in their numerous punch outs with the bad guys. A mark of great literature, or film, is creating complex, multi-faceted and believable individuals. This story's lack of realistic characters prevents it from reaching a higher artistic level. I also had a problem with the story's political perspective, as Jakes and his screenplay adapters try way too hard to make it seem that the North and South were equally at fault for the Civil War. I was born, raised and continue to live in the South. So, obviously, I like it here and have tremendous pride in the Southern contributions to American culture - great literature (Mark Twain, William Faulkner, Flannery O'Conner), glorious music (blues, jazz, rock n roll, country, bluegrass, zydeco), delicious food and beautiful nature. But I am also honest enough to admit that the South should feel nothing but shame for the institution of slavery that flourished here for over 200 years and brought immense suffering and misery to the Africans brought over in chains. Certainly, this program doesn't try to defend slavery. But it does try to depict the Main family as being honorable and well intentioned in trying to defend their "way of life," which was plantation agriculture based on the use of slave labor. To me, this "way of life" was far from noble or worth defending. There is no doubt that it was the South's unwillingness to give up slavery that was the primary reason for the Civil War.
Of course, the North certainly had it's faults as well and I do believe that most Northerners were more interested in preserving the Union rather than freeing the slaves. The exception to this were a minority of anti-slavery activists known as abolitionists. They were the among the most courageous and justice seeking people of the Civil War era. But, unfortunately, the primary abolitionist character in this story is Virgilia, George's deranged sister who is obssessed with revenge and violence. Many abolitionsts were, in fact, pacifists and to have Virgilia be depicted as typical is far from the historical truth. Also the African-American characters in "North and South" are generally treated as a "supporting cast," while all the major drama and storylines revolve around the white characters. The indication is that it is only white people who were "making history" while blacks were relegated to the sidelines. The same thing can also be said for the Latino and Indian characters. I think this is unfortunate and a false depiction of history.
In any case, the "North and South" is still one of the better television miniseries and is well worth owning. You will definitely be entertained and hopefully will learn something along the way.
Description of North and South: The Complete Collection (Books 1-3)
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