North & South : Paths to North + South: What's Your Story?

Agreed, a totally natural reaction!

Thanks for sharing your story Archer. Welcome to the board!


Dogs have owners, Cats have staff!

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Lovely thread!

I'm a Jane Austen girl, Pride and Prejudice fan and Colin Firth is my Mr Darcy!
When the Keira Knightly version came out on dvd (sometime in '06), I rented it out from Blockbuster (yea, those days!) and watched it with my roomie at the time. Not quite satisfied, I looked up other period dramas online and came across "the best kisses from period drama" video on youtube. I was done for!!

(I read Gaskell's Mary Barton long time ago. Didn't get a chance to read anything else even though I wanted toI liked the way she wrote)

So by the time I came N&S it had already made it splash (I read how the BBC boards crashed after the episode aired).
Saw it online, in '06, on youtube; tried to get my roomie interested but she didn't want to sit through another period drama

Still watch it often, especially when I'm in "low spirits".
RA and DDA are soo perfect. I wanted them to get married and have babies!
Love the adaptation! Even all the extra bits

Thanks for sharing your story lois.

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Still watch it often, especially when I'm in "low spirits".

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Me too. I've been in love with the story since I watched it when it first aired on the BBC in 2004. That was when my RA obsession began.

So I'm pasting this here after someone pointed my in the right direction ^_^ I'm a complete newbie, so bear with me as I get the hang of this!
I have to say, I'm not really sure what I'm getting myself into, but after watching that wonderful miniserieswell, I was shocked that I hadn't found it sooner. To be fair, I was not yet 10 when it came out, but my adolescence has been filled with all things Austen, Bronte, Dickens, TennysonUntil I realized I was quite infatuated with Victorian culture (Austen excluded, of course, since that was Regency). That's not to say I don't love modern day, or other periods - I do. But the Victorian period is what I continually find myself going back to, with its open contention of "Victorian Values."
So. The other day, I was literally going through all titles in my Netflix lists, adding to my list of things to watch for the summer (because it was so short in the first place[read: not]), and after about 10 minutes, I stumble upon North & South. I paused over it because it sounded familiar, but I wasn't quite sure why. It could've been as simple that it was on of Netflix's recommended titles once upon a time, or that I saw the title mentioned as an afterthought in a comment. I'm still not sure. But I do know that I saw the name "Richard Armitage, " and thought, what the hell, and added it to my instant que. Only to decide that it would be the first of my new extra-lengthy list that I'd watch. This was exactly a week ago, on a Saturday. Needless to say, I finished all four episodes without pause, while texting two friends about my emotional state (traumatized, damaged, and irrevocably in love) resulting from this new show. One friend watched it the very next day, and felt very nearly broken by the impression the polished work of art had left. I started the book, ordered the DVD, and had finished the book within the time it took the DVD to arrive. We then proceeded to marathon all things Gaskell, starting with Cranford. But when it came time for North & SouthWhile we adored Cranford, the tone is so markedly different, and there is something about the costumes, setting, cinematography, acting, and music of North & South that works in a way to touch one's soul. We then set to watch the DVD's deleted scenes, and then, the gem - the Richard Armitage interview. We were in hysterics by the way the camera inched closer to Armitage with each question, until we were convinced it would only be his nose (has anyone else noticed the abnormal attraction of that nose?). And then.it was done.
I had an itch that couldn't be scratched. I wanted (read: want) more. So I take to the Internet, and what do I find? Very little. For one, I desperately wanted the music. The soundtrack was haunting, and the shot of Thornton at the end of the first episode is all the more ethereal for the music that accompanies it. There's a shot in a later episode (I can't recall which at the moment) that is nearly the same, Thornton striding (that man doesn't walk, he strides) through the mill with cotton sweeping around himbut a lot less attention grabbing for the toned down music. I happen to play piano, have been playing for 13 years, so part of my mission in looking for the soundtrack was also looking for sheet music to accompany it. But, as most of you I'd bet could tell me, I found nothing. I was shocked, just shocked, that a soundtrack had never been sold! Not digitally, not physically, not even in the early days of the release! So immediately I had to give up my idea of finding sheet music written by Martin Phipps, the composer. Thankfully I found some music on YouTube, and whoever took the time to separate the songs from the audio.I thank you. Because I find it crazy that this would otherwise not be available to anyone. And this also turned my mind back to the question of why I hadn't heard of this show before - because it was so utterly fantastic, I found it hard to believe it wasn't a household name like Pride and Prejudice. I did some research, and soon found the story that BBC hadn't properly promoted the series, even after their message boards crashed after the first airing. Now, I can understand (to an extent) BBC not showering a lot of money on promoting the show - they do A LOT, and not everything will get the attention it deserves. But, whoever saw the results of the labor put into the series, and decided to STILL not promote it must've been completely blind to its brilliance! And after the attention it received after its airing, the comparisons to Colin Firth, the praise, the message boards crashingI'm stumped as to why the only product they decided to sell was a DVD (granted, with a lengthy and beautiful interview of Richard Armitage). I study economics, and I understand that resources are scarce, and that there's an opportunity cost to producing merchandise. But to me, this show proved that it had a demand, that people would pay for moreand instead fo seizing the opportunity to make a little profit, BBC passes it up, and gives nothing more.
So. I supposed this is what withdrawal feels like. It doesn't help that since I've done some research/stalking and found Richard Armitage to be one of the most perfect human beings to exist. The guy studied Music and Literature, for goodnesses sake, and my jaw normally drops at the profoundness of his interviews. I'm not quite sure what to do. I have half a mind to petition BBC for more (for instance, I really want a poster, and I'd pay for it to, along with a full soundtrack and sheet music), but I have no idea if it's something people are at all interested in, or even how to go about it! But after watching some fanvids on YouTube, one in particular that was dedicated to the message board in THIS website, I thought I'd stop by and hopefully find some sympathizing minds to rant with over this wonderful show :)
So I look forward to talking with you guys in the future, and can't wait to hear some of your opinons!
Warmly,
bookluver

Thanks bookluver. It's nice to have these introductions in once place so we can preserve them and make sure they don't "drop off" the board.

*bumped* for wilmagerisma!

ok, let's do this

I already had written a paper on North and South and Mary Barton in college for a class on ideas and ideologies in the nineteenth century. In this paper I contrasted the political ideas of Gaskell with Austen to show how Britain got more radical in the span of a couple of decades.

ButI never took the time to actually watch the series. I knew it was there, but I'm a bit of a workaholic (my husband would say a fullblown workalholic) and I don't take a lot of time to relax when there are lessons to plan and activities to design. Anyway, last monday my husband was fed up with it. It's vacation time and I had difficulty relaxing. So he ordered me on the couch and I thought to watch some series on my iPad. First I watched the new (well, to me) adaptation of Sense and Sensibility and then went on to North and Southwhich I've been watching on repeat since monday. It's got to be the best adaptation of a nineteenth century novel I've ever seen. So well written and acted, so detailed and rich. I did a quick re-read of the novel yesterday and wow, the script is mostly an improvement on the original (the proposal scene to me is a bit more complete in the book, with the whole build up of Thornton's inner turmoil). Needless to say, I made sure to download all the episodes in the BBC app so I can watch them offline the next three weeks when I'm travelling, because this series is going to need a lot of analysis

Thanks for sharing your story wilmagerlsma. You should get the DVD of N&S as there are some deleted scenes on there including an extended proposal scene as well as extras such as a commentary and a wonderful interview with Richard Armitage.

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Hellos, good question!

By the way, heartfelt4-1, when did you discover this board?

I think I'd always been a fan of period dramas. I think it started with the clothes. Lovely lace, shining jewelry, long dresses! But I think my first and truest love might just be Anne of Green Gables. Certainly, this is the one that makes the biggest impression on me, off the top of my head.

I've seen a lot of foreign period dramas and movies before that, but gosh, I really can't think of the specifics. Who knows it might've started with Disney's Cinderella!

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Being a newbie - relatively speaking - I haven't posted my story yet (nothing dramatic there, mind you).

I arrived at N&S mini series in quite a circuitous way: I'd known the book for ages; I think I bought it after reading P&P, having seen it mentioned somewhere as "an industrial P&P". I read it then, but truth to tell I didn't expect it to be so dark and I was a bit put off by it - so it sat in my bookshelf for years, getting ignored.

Until quite recently I didn't know that the BBC period drama mini series where something of an annual event. I knew P&P 95 of course, but none of the others

Only when approx. 18 months back the 'Jane Eyre' mini series aired on our national cultural channel did I come to realise that there were plenty of others The JE06 mini didn't appeal to me all that much at first, but as I assumed this to be due to the poor quality of the German dubbing, I decided to give it a 2nd try, and I got myself the DVD (with the English audio track), which rapidly became a favourite for about the next half a year.

As I was quite enthusiastic about JE06 (and I still do like it a lot - apart from the childhood scenes, which are definitely better in JE11) I started visiting the respective IMDb board, which had picked up in the wake of the JE11 movie. Posters were frequently referring to N&S there - as the screenplay's by Sandy Welch, too - and often claiming it the better of her adaptations. So, I added N&S to the list of DVD I'd like to purchase sometimes - and eventually I got it as a birthday present last year.

Needless to mention that I'm hooked ever since

Thanks for sharing your story Birds. "Supergran" who is a member here is a massive fan of JE06. Personally I have a soft spot for the Timothy Dalton version from 1983, even though it is probably a bit dated now.

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"Supergran" who is a member here is a massive fan of JE06.

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Which is very obvious over at the JE06 board - shame the board has died down quite a bit lately.

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Personally I have a soft spot for the Timothy Dalton version from 1983, even though it is probably a bit dated now.

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I watched a few bits and snippets on youtube some time ago, but as I've only ever known Dalton as James Bond before I keep thinking: 'What's HE doing in this piece?"

Lovely to read how you "arrived" here, Birds. You're a fantastic contributor! Supergranshe pops in every so often. is yet another fantastic poster and very keen on all the classics. The Jane Eyre board was a very busy board at one time and it was filled with wonderful discussion threads. I bet Supergran mentioned N&S every single chance she got!

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I watched a few bits and snippets on youtube some time ago, but as I've only ever known Dalton as James Bond before I keep thinking: 'What's HE doing in this piece?"

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Well that sounds quite rational to me, Birds! You know why I'm not crazy over Dalton as Rochester? (And I have the DVD since it was highly recommended to me years ago.) I can't get past that dimple in his chin. I knowterribly shallow of me and all that but there it is.

Hi Alfa! - Thanks for your kind support. You know, this is just such an incredible board: ten years and still going from strenght to strengh, and in such a warm and friendly spirit, too! I really enjoy being with you.

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I can't get past that dimple in his chin. I knowterribly shallow of me and all that but there it is.

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Just like me and Patrick Stewart in N&S 1975: The way he doesn't blink - EVER - is absolutely maddening, makes me go cross-eyed eventually, and then I have to stop watching!

Here it goes:

I have been huge fan of period dramas for about two years now. It all started with P&P '05 DVD which I found reasonably priced (0,20) from local second hand shop. It was start of my humble period drama DVD collection. Since then I have watched all kind of releases found in local library. Their collection is unfortunately quite small. Sadly, all series or movies aren't released up here north or even broadcasted in tv. N+S is this kind of production here in Finland.

I have a custom that after watching movie or tv-series I visit production's Imdb page and search all kinds of goodies about it. Imdb had recommended N+S to me several times, but I somehow ignored it everytime (!). I thought by its' name that it is some kind of war movie and I didn't know any of the actors that time. But then came The Hobbit with this handsome dwarf and I started looking more about RA and about his works. I noticed the connection between RA and N+S and I asked my little brother to order the DVD for me from Amazon. This happened last December and well, here I am

After I had watched the series something like 5+ times I decided to start looking up the original novel from the library. I had to order it from another municipality's library to my local library, but it totally was worth it! A couple of weeks ago I finished the novel and that made me like the series even more! I also enjoyed the novel very much although it was sometimes quite a challenge due to its not-so-modern language. But with dictionary everything is possible!


**Master of the rainbow trouts**

Hi SiberianJay - Welcome! Another newbie?

I haven't meant to ignore you when posting just now - simultanious posts: they just happen about all the time on this board, it's busy and very welcoming. So, enjoy!

And thanks for sharing your story.

Hello birds-of-a-feather! Yes, I'm a newbie! Posted my first thoughts here yesterday though I have been buzzing around here "off-line" couple of months

It is a great sign that this board is busy and alive. There is almost everytime new posts to read and lots of things to discuss!


**Master of the rainbow trouts**

Thanks again for your story SiberianJay.

Birds said:

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I watched a few bits and snippets on youtube some time ago, but as I've only ever known Dalton as James Bond before I keep thinking: 'What's HE doing in this piece?"

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Its different for me because I actually remember that series when it first aired on the BBC in 1983. In those days you got a lot period dramas being shown at Sunday teatime in half hour slots.

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My journey to viewing North & South began with the first Austen adaptation I'd ever seen. It was P&P 95. Then I was hooked and began watching period adaptations like a crazy person. Eventually, I came across the wonderful Wives & Daughters adaptation. I loved it so much, so I started lookingt for other Gaskell adaptations and found North & South on Netflix. I was blown away by how well-written, acted, and directed it was. I promptly bought my own copy of the DVD, and have been a fan of Richard Armitage ever since.

Everyone I've ever recommended N&S too has loved it was well. It's truly a masterpiece IMO.

Thanks for sharing webrowser. I loved P&P 95 and Wives and Daughters as well. The only other Gaskell adaptation I have seen is "Cranford" which I also enjoyed.

You're welcome! I've seen Cranford, and enjoyed it too laura1-07.

Welcome Webrowser! You are like many of us who became hooked on Austen's wonderful book and its adaptations, P&P, '95 and '05, and who eventually found Gaskell and her works. I couldn't agree more with your critique of N&S. There is such a sense of brooding throughout, which ordinarily would not be my cup of tea, but the music and acting, not to mention the story are spellbinding! Have you been a fan of this adaptation and RA a long time, Webrowser?

Thank you for the warm welcome heartfelt4-1!

I've been a fan of N&S, and of RA for about 5 years. After seeing him play John Thornton, I discovered his portrayal of Guy Gisbourne in BBC's Robin Hood. Oh my goodness. I could watch the man read a phone book aloud and be enraptured.

I'm such a sucker for "bad boy" gets redeemed story lines - and I completely ADORE boy meets girl, they dislike each other - yet can't resist the inevitable attraction romances. N&S has both of those themes in spades! I simply love it, and never tire of watching it. It is hands down, one of the best period adaptations I've ever seen.

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I simply love it, and never tire of watching it. It is hands down, one of the best period adaptations I've ever seen.

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You are in good company then!

We've had a few new viewers drop by and say that they didn't think it was a big deal. I respect that. But I do wonder if we are all watching the same show! Guess it is not everyone's cup of tea.

So very glad you dropped by webrowser to tell us that you do love it as well!

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I love period dramas and I'd been wanting to see this for ages and just never got the chance. It was recently on TV and I finally got to see it. I loved every minute of it. I'm intending to read the book now and I can't wait. I think Richard Armitage is wonderful as Thornton and it's a very made series. I loved the music too.

I've seen the 1975 version of North and Southstarring Patrick Stewart and enjoyed that one very much. If no one here has seen that version I recommend it. It is a bit stagey at times but you have to accept that was how many miniseries were shot at that time.


I'm delighted to see the op mention the Patrick O'Brien Jack Aubrey books I love them! and thought the film starring Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany was a great adaptation. I would love to see a miniseries of those books though.






It is my business to protect your majesty. against all things.

Thanks for sharing maddyclassicfilms. I rewatched it recently when it was on TV as well. Just for your info, it was heavily edited. There was about 25 minutes or so cut because of the adverts. If you can manage to get the DVD, I recommend it. There are lots of extras on there as well. I hope you enjoy the book. I love it.

Just for your info, it was heavily edited. There was about 25 minutes or so cut because of the adverts. If you can manage to get the DVD, I recommend it. There are lots of extras on there as well. I hope you enjoy the book. I love it.

I didn't know that. What scenes were missing? anything important? I do intend to buy the DVD. I'm really looking forward to the book.



It is my business to protect your majesty. against all things.

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I didn't know that. What scenes were missing? anything important? I do intend to buy the DVD. I'm really looking forward to the book.

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I don't think they cut anything vitally important to the story, but I hated to see anything missing. They also cut bits out of scenes so it felt like things had been rushed a bit. The original series was on the BBC so each episode was sixty minutes long with no adverts.

That's good to know. When I buy the DVD I'll have fun comparing versions and seeing if there's any scenes that seem new to me.

It is my business to protect your majesty. against all things.

You will. And like I said there are extras on there as well such as interviews, commentaries and deleted scenes (including an extended proposal scene). Watch you don't wear it out though watching the final train station scene over and over again.

Hi Maddy. The O'Brien books have tons of fans. I gave up on another movie. A miniseries is a great idea. I have a feeling the books will be a series someday. Its a great character. Crowe loved playing Jack. I dont know who they would cast now. But I do like Richard Armitage....how would he look blonde?

How did I get here. It sure took long enough. Going back to the 90's. I loved the Austen movies that were out then. I saw Emma with G.Paltrow 2 or 3 times on the big screen. Yes because of Mr. Knightley. And I loved Colin F in Pride and P. So many yummy British actors. Ralph Fiennes. Daniel D.Lewis. Yes, American girls love the accents. Watched Rome on HBO. More British hunks. Just when I thought I'd seen the last one I hear this deep voice coming out of the tv and mmm,eyes. Who is he. Never heard of him. Wondering why. My sister never heard of him. What the h. Look online to see what this guy looks like. Imagine my reaction. Hes gorgeous. Liking this pic of him all in black looking unhappy but looking good. Should find out what this show is. Ok, what has he been in, what movies, etc? I find out about North and S. I wonder if it has a board on imdb. Yes theres a board. N&S was years ago but people are still posting on it. Cool. They must reallly like N&S.



Have a good Sat. and Sun.

Hi Maddy. The O'Brien books have tons of fans. I gave up on another movie. A miniseries is a great idea.

Hi wak 127 The books certainly do have a lot of fans. I really hope a series could be made, I think it would do well, somewhat similar to the Hornblower series from a few years ago.

Crowe loved playing Jack. I dont know who they would cast now. But I do like Richard Armitage.how would he look blonde?

If they do another film I hope Crowe and Bettany return they were perfect in the roles and had great chemistry. Oddly I don't see Richard as Jack I see him more as Stephen. I think a good choice for Jack on TV would be James Purefoy.



It is my business to protect your majesty. against all things.

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