North and South - The Complete Collection Reviews

• One of the great ones. A wonderful Civil War saga.

  
  By A2XRMQA6PJ5ZJ8 on 2004-10-30
  North and South is truly one of the great miniseries, and in fact in my opinion surpasses other great Civil War films such as "Gone With the Wind." Based on the John Jakes trilogy of novels, this miniseries spans the period from the 1840s and the Mexican War, through the aftermath of the American Civil War. It tells the story of two families, the Hazards of Pennsylvania, and the Mains of South Carolina. The Hazards are the owners of a great steel manufactory. The Mains are the powerful owners of a sprawling Southern rice plantation. George Hazard and Orry Main, the scions of their respective families, form a friendship while attending West Point that sees them through the Mexican War and which is tested as each takes his region's side in the Civil War.
  
  The miniseries is reasonably faithful to the novels, and where it departs, the changes are generally benign. The story is also quite faithful to history, and both North and South are portrayed with respect, although the story harshly indicts the institution of slavery, and reminds Americans of the incredible fact that this evil was a basic fact of our country for a very long time.
  
  Book one of North and South is superb. It spans the period from about 1840 through the outbreak of the Civil War. The portrayal of the Mexican War is quite good, and the story of George and Orry graduating West Point and fighting together in the Mexican War makes for a fine story. The film does very well at recreating the attitudes of Northerners and Southerners during this period--conflicting attitudes which ultimately could not be reconciled by the normal political institutions of the American republic and which instead culminated in the Civil War. The battle scenes are very good and surpass what we normally expect of a miniseries.
  
  Book Two takes place immediately following the firing upon Ft. Sumpter. It is again very well done. This is one of the very best straight Civil War films. It is not without flaws. Just as in the novel, the Elkanah Bent sub-plot adds very little to this story. This is true despite the fact that the Bent sub-plot in the Book Two film bears essentially no resembence to the novel. But overall, this is a fine story. Lloyd Bridges in particular does a fine job in his portrayal of Jefferson Davis. Hal Holbrook is a wonderful Abraham Lincoln. Here again the battle scenes are very good. My only quibble is that the soldiers' uniforms are too natty and pristine. Real Civil War soldiers were never very well turned out. The combat and conditions were too tough for that, and the supply trains too inefficient.
  
  Book Three takes place after the end of the Civil War, and is so bad as to be unwatchable. I'm not fooling. The way I look at Book Three is that the DVD makes a fine beer coaster while watching the excellent Books One and Two. Not only is Book Three unwatchable, but it totally departs from the story as set forth in the novel. (as far as I could tell-I mean it when I say that Three is unwatchable). Book Three of Jakes' novels was far and away the weakest of the three, but it was somewhat readable. Not in the miniseries, however.
  
  North and South is imperfect, but it is still so good as to rate five stars. It really is a great story of the Civil War era. James Read and Patrick Swayze turn in great performances as George and Orry. Read was sufficiently good in this part that I am surprised that this role did not lead to greater things for him.
  
  The flaws. First of all, as in all John Jakes stories, the characters, particularly the villains, are one-dimensional at best. Virgilia Hazard, Elkanah Bent, Ashton Main--these characters are complete villains and in real life no one in their right mind would want to live on the same continent with such scoundrels. I have always thought that this caricature-like characterization is the weakest aspect of John Jakes' writing, and these flaws, unfortunately, are faithfully recreated in this miniseries.
  
  The good news is that as far as I can tell, this DVD collection is uncut or close to it. I've read the novels, seen the miniseries, and owned the VHS version of the miniseries, and these DVDs seem to be complete. Further, the color and sound on the DVDs is very good. Overall this is a tremenous value that many fans of North and South have waited for for a long time.
  
  

• Vaguely similar to the novels, but a classic nonetheless...

  
  By A1V3WAFVE2ZCT2 on 2004-10-07
  In the age of unimaginative reality TV, boundless and unjustifiable mainstream cynicism and utter ignorance and/or lack of care for history, "North and South" stands as somewhat of an anachronism on the shelves of stores nationwide. How pleasant and encouraging, then, to see it rank as such a huge seller in its first week of release!! I have the (guilty) pleasure to admit I watched my Spanish-version of this series, taped off my TV back in 1986, about 10 or 15 times, although I haven't seen it in over decade. I do remember it as one of the two or three greatest mini-series ever (exceeded only by "Roots", in my opinion), and (at the time) the most expensive mini-series ever, at over $25 million, although that could hardly cover Al Pacino's salary for "Angels in America" nowadays.
  
  I also read all three books a long time ago, and am currently in the process of reading them again, also more than a decade later. Given my familiarity with both the books and the filmed version, I am of the opinion that this is one of those rare instances ("Lolita" being another example) in which, notwithstanding substancial differences between the filmed and written stories, both are classics in their own way. Producers of the mini-series decided, with Jakes' consent, to make the following changes in the story, among many others:
  1) Do away with Orry's brother Cooper and "merge" him with Orry. This was a mistake, I feel, inasmuch as Cooper was a crucial character who represented the more moderate Southerner;
  2) Not have Orry lose an arm. This probably owed to Hollywood sensitivities, which would not have borne watching Madeline be intimate with a man who lacked one arm;
  3) Not have Orry die, and give the series a "Hollywood Ending". This is because the producers initially did not choose to film Book 3, "Heaven and Hell", and thus needed a satisfactory ending to Book 2. If "Heaven and Hell" and been filmed at the same time as the other two, the story could have been more faithful to the book;
  4) Have Orry meet Madeline BEFORE going to West Point. This actually helped the Orry-Madeline storyline somewhat, since it gave the two lovers more time to fall in love with each other, and thus gave Orry more of a reason to be hurt by Madeline's marriage to Justin;
  5) Have Orry kill Justin. Another improvement on the book. In the book, Justin's death is very perfunctory and anti-climactic;
  6) Give Orry and Madeline a son, and give George and Constance a daughter by the name of Hope.
  
  The filmed version is generally heavier on the Orry-Madeline storyline than the book. I don't have much of a problem with that, since both the actors' performances are phenomenal and very convincing: Patrick Swayze, normally no Laurence Olivier, gives what I feel is still his best performance, and Lesley-Anne Down is very professional and convincing as a Creole belle who is, in Jakes' novels, the spiritual center-piece of the narrative. It must also be said that, as played by Down, it is hard for the viewer not to fall head-over-heels over Madeline!! The rest of the core cast is outstanding, specially James Read as George, Kirstie Alley as Virgilia, David Carradine as Justin and Terri Garber as the memorable Ashton. Also, keep an eye open for a very young Forrest Whitaker and pre-Star Trek Jonathan Frakes. The series' massive budget also allowed producers to cast legends such as Jimmy Stewart, Olivia DeHavilland, Robert Mitchum, Hal Holbrook, Lloyd Bridges, Elizabeth Taylor and Johnny Cash (!!!) as (who else?) John Brown.
  
  Book 3 of the series does not merit much discussion, though it does not marr the excellence of Books 1 and 2. It chose, belatedly, to stick to the actual Book 3, with dire consequences. It really does not belong, narratively or otherwise, to the first two series. Also, only Lesley-Anne Down and James Read signed on to do it and, good as their performances are, they were really treading very shallow waters, production-wise.
  
  All in all, notwithstanding the disappointing dearth of bonus materials (the lone making-of documentary is very interesting, albeit frustratingly brief), this moderately-priced DVD set is an essential addition to my film collection. Given the sad state of affairs, I don't think any mini-series of this quality or budget are forthcoming.
  
  Highly, highly, highly recommended. For those with longer attention spans, all three books are essential reading, as well.
  
  

• The best miniseries ever

  
  By A2FMR367MI9G7F on 2002-07-22
  North and South, the miniseries based on the novels written by the greatest historical novelist of all time, John Jakes, deserves to be released on DVD. This first miniseries (of three) showcases the antebellum period of the United States in glorious detail, and provides the exact amount of tension that was present in our country that would eventually lead to the Civil War.
  Led by an all star cast, Patrick Swayze and James Read are two friends who meet at West Point prior to the Mexican-American war, and the series chronicles their friendship between them and their familes during the next twenty years until the Confederates fire on Fort Sumter in 1861.
  This is a DVD that must be released and seen by all, so that future students of history may be educated in the most turbulent period of our nation's history.
  
  

• North and South "a must see on DVD"

  
  By ABI4LD9EQIC6J on 2003-07-13
  The enduring image of that $100 bill being split between Orry Main and George Hazard is what will always remind me of this great mini-series. I was 9 yrs old when it came out and recorded both parts 1 and 2 on VHS. Sadly the quality has deteriorated over time and it is disappointing to learn that it is not available on DVD format.

  Wonderfully acted with a romantic theme threaded through the plot of a Civil War that nearly tore a nation apart.

  It is heartening to read that other members have fond memories of this mini-series and, like me, can't wait for it to come out on DVD.
  
  

• This is not a complete set like you think

  
  By A9VSBA5W2QVCC on 2004-12-04
  Hey all I am a HUGE fan of north and south and I have the complete set on VHS ..So I got the DVDs and well I AM SOOOOO ANGRY!!!!!! That they are portraying this as the whole movie....IT ISN'T... They cut out Weddings and the end of book one and two are CUT OUT!!!!! Let me explain to you how they jipped you all on this cut of North and South....These are the scenes that they leave out..But first let me tell you what comes to you in the box set..
  
  Book 1 there is 2 disks (both disks 2 sided) Book 2 there is 2 disks (both Disks 2 sided) Book 3 1 disk (2 sided)... There is a catch to it... On the Back of the second disk ....on book 1 and 2 is BLANK....says on the disk NO RECORDING!!!!!!!!!!! If I was amazon I would go back to the people who made this collection and make them make it COMPLETE!!!!!!!!!
  
  Now here is what parts that you will miss seeing in this crappy collection!!!
  
  You don't see the END OF THE WAR!!!!!!!!! on the second book..You don't see Oary go and get Madeline back and Meet his SON!!!..You don't see all the soldiers coming home from the war...YOU DON"T even see the part where LINCOLN dies HELLO this important HISTORY that they cut out.. YOu don't see the signing of the peace between the states... COME ON...You don't see Oary go and rescue Madeline from her husband and when he kills her husband...you don't see Oary and Madeline Marry.... it skips it and goes directly to Madeline at Mount Royal....HELLLO these are important parts!!!! You don't see Gillian Kill the Senator and her and her brother make up in the jail cell before she dies..You don't see charles finding out that he has a son and that the woman he loves is dead...However in this cut would make you wonder how he has a son when they CUT IT OUT...however in book 3 it's all about charles going after Bent to get his son back..... YOU DON"T EVEN SEE THE BURNING OF MOUNT ROYAL!!!!!The end that you do see of book 2 is where Oary confronts his sister about madeline and when you flip the disk over....IT"S BLANK!!! yes that is correct it's blank...You get to go watch the 3rd book now...and miss all of that. (theres more than that but those are some major scenes that you will notice)
  
  I don't know if you all are as much of a die hard fan of North and South like I am but THIS IS WRONG!!!!!!!!! I am SOOOOOO disappointed with this replication....My advice to you is get the VHS version if you want the FULL movie...Because the DVD collection is NOT the full version of the movies at all!!!!
  
  Just a little help here the entire first book and second book total time is 1131 mins total (from the count on VHS tapes)...(this does not include the 3rd book) The DVD collection is only a total of 1212 mins and this includes the book 3.(book 3 by itself ran for 4 days as well ...it's mins are 380 mins) Add 1131 mins to 380 mins total is 1511 mins...(dvd is only 1212 mins)..SO that should tell you right there about how much they CUT out of this set....My advice get the VHS if you want the whole movie!!!
  
  
• Please get this on DVD!!!
  By on 2003-06-14
  I remember watching North and South when it was originally aired...I was 13 years old and when it was over I read the book. I couldnt wait for book 2, Love & War to air. I was a little disappointed with the 3rd mini-series...but the first 2 were so fantastic I forgive them for the failed attempt at greatness.
  I have been wanting to add this to my collection for several years now, but do not want to waste the money on a VHS that will deteriorate over time. I cant wait until I can purchase on DVD!!! This along with Lonesome Dove, are my 2 favorite miniseries of all time and LD is available on DVD, so I have high hopes N&S will be soon.
  
  
• Here at Last!
  By on 2004-07-15
  Well it's here at last, North and South on DVD! This complete collection totals in at 1392 minutes (that's almost a complete 24hrs) and includes Books 1,2,and 3. This wonderful mini-series showcases life before, during and after the Civil War. Patrick Swayze and James Read star as the heads of two very different and very intriguing families. Read's clan is a Northern industrial family while Swayze's is a plantation owning Southern family. First airing in 1985, Book 1 focused on the tumultuous times immediately prior to the Civil War. This epic masterpiece showcases beautiful scenery, emormous sets, and a large, talented cast. 1986's equally brilliant Book 2 takes us into the Civil War and has some impressive battle sequences. Book 3 (made many years later) focuses on the Reconstruction period of American history. Unfortunately, many of the principle cast members (Patrick Swayze, Kirstie Alley) did not return for this third outing and it suffers because so. It is also only half the length of the previous efforts.
  The DVD promises some interesting extras including a documentary "The History of North and South" as well as interviews with some of the films stars. To get this much entertainment all in one package is remarkable deal.
  
  
• It's about time!!!!
  By A1FHKTXCB0CKKM on 2004-07-30
  This miniseries was one of the first I wanted to see on DVD and finally it's happening!! To have all three books on one collection is absolutely awesome. It doesn't look like there are too many special features, but that's all right. I have it tapes on VHS from years ago and I'm so glad I'll finally be rid of them. I was never a fan of book three (no Orry Main!), like many others here, but I'm glad it's included on the DVD as well. But Books One and Two are absolutely wonderful! I first saw them in 1985 and 1986 when I was 9 years old and I thought it was the best story ever told on tv. Aside from it being a great story with great acting, I learned a lot about history from watching it. Two huge thumbs up for me, I will be first in line to buy it!
  
  
• Marvelous Miniseries
  By on 2002-03-03
  I watched this miniseries about 17 years ago and I still talk about it with my family and friends. We have been looking for it for the past few years. I will buy it on DVD, not VHS because it is so long. Although I was only 9 when it was on TV, I begged my mom to let me stay up to watch it. This movie inspired me to learn about the Civil War and history in general. I enjoyed North and South Book 2 as much as I did the first one. I was very upset about the third one they attempted. It didn't have Patrick Swayze in it and had a weak, almost soap opera, plot. I recommend this to anyone interested in a good star filled, wonderfully written and acted movie.
  
  
• RE-LIVE THE SWEEPING SAGA OF CAVALIERS AND COTTON FIELDS!
  By A1M9DQDGE07Q0U on 2004-09-30
  John Jakes "North & South" has been dubbed television's "Gone With The Wind." Though parallels between the two are obvious from the Rhett and Scarlett-esque romance between Orry Main (Patrick Swayze) and Madalaine Fabray-LaMotte (Lesley Anne Down) to the brazen homage of Hattie McDaniel's Mammie in Olivia Coles Maum Sally, "North & South" treads the fine line between fictionalized cotton fields and cavaliers and hard core history. This is a sweeping mini-series (particularly part one) that follows the exploits of two men, southerner Orry and northerner George Hazard (James Read) during a series of consequences in which each man must endure his opposing way of life that will ultimately test and rip their friendship apart. Kirstie Alley is employed to good effect as abolitionist Virgilia Hazard. After secretly marrying outside of her race, Virgilia's downward spiral into madness is rather tragic and haunting. So too is David Carridine's performance as the despicable Justin LaMotte.
  
  The rest of the cast reads like a varitable who's who of celebrities: Gene Kelly as Sen. Charles Edwards, Elizabeth Taylor as Madam Conti, Robert Mitchum (Patrick Flynn), Hal Holbrook (playing no less that Abraham Lincoln himself), Morgan Fairchild (Burdetta Halloran), Johnny Cash (John Brown), James Stewart (Miles Colbert) and Olivia DeHavilland (Mrs. Neal). Basically, its one heck of a good show. Parts one and two are particularly satisfying - riding the crest of popularity and rabid public fascination audiences had with the mini-series following "The Thorn Birds." But by the time part three came around there was little interest or budget allocated to the third and final chapter of this sweeping saga. Now Warner Home Video delivers a definitive box set of this TV tour de force.
  
  Warner's transfer quality is particularly pleasing, if dated. The picture exhibits a solidly rendered quality with slightly weak colors, deep blacks and nicely balanced contrast levels. Age related artifacts exist, as do digital anomalies but neither terribly distracts. The overriding image quality is decidedly smooth for a production of this vintage. The audio is Stereo Surround, but it should be noted that television productions of the 80s in general had a cheap and tinny characteristic that was barely flattering then, and is anything but complimentary now. Ergo, you aren't getting this set to give your bass channels a workout! There are no extras.
  
  
  
• North and South the mini-series
  By A2S0UJNHMJLRKU on 2002-06-17
  Imagine yourself in either position, a Northerner or a Southerner back in the mid 1800's. This movie demonstrates a possible scenario of such a life between families during this time. The emotions are real, the lifestyles are real, the people, although fictonal, add flare to a possible scenario for a time in history that was very real and emotional. Romance is the theme of this story in Civil war times between several individuals who had to deal with a country rebelling against itself. Their lives reflected much about what the country was going through. The cast is an excellent cast and the acting is wonderfully done by known actors and actesses.
  
  
• Incredible mini-series! Release it on DVD!
  By A41VZSHVK95M5 on 2002-11-18
  I was literally six and seven years old when both North and South mini-series debuted on ABC, and I remember watching every episode. Even at that young age I knew this was an epic mini-series, and I was enthralled by every single minute of it. Luckily my parents didn't mind me watching. Years later I saw them available at a video store and I rented every single one of them twice, and I fell in love with it again. This HAS to be released on DVD. The cast, the story, the production value are ALL first class. Civil war fans will love this.
  
  
• Life, Love and Loyalty
  By AOANCE69N73GP on 2003-08-20
  North and South was a historically based production that brought the happenings of the 1840's to 1861 to life and I feel was one of the, if not the best learning tool of pre-civil war times. It was historically sound and followed the historical events as the writer of the books, John Jakes did. It brought life alive in that historical time and for me, gave me a much better understanding of what went on in the pre-Civil War years. I feel that having this all-time Mini Series in DVD format will open the doors to many more people and I would hope that in its production that both Descritive tracks and closed circut could be added for those who are blind/visually impared and the hearing impared.
  
  
• this IS a complete set
  By A30UJZMJC6NV03 on 2004-12-12
  I also am a diehard fan of these movies, and I also have them on both vhs and dvd. I just got finished watching them on dvd and all of the things that have been said were missing are on there.
  The first two books of this movie are six parts apiece, the third book is three parts. On dvd, the first two books have 2 discs. Disc one, side A has parts 1&2, side B has parts 3&4, and Disc two, side A has parts 5&6, side B is blank. Book three is only a three part movie, with one disc, side A has parts 1&2, side B has parts 3 and also a documentary type thing.
  I don't know how everybody else's dvd player works, but on mine when I put in a North and South dvd, I get the choice to 'play' or go to the 'episodes', if I just play it then both parts that are on will play continuously, but if I choose episodes, at the end of the episode that I picked, it goes back to the menu and you have to select the next episode. That could confuse somebody and make them think that the whole thing had been cut off, especially if their player doesn't go back to the menu for some reason. If they still can't find all of the episodes, they should exchange it because it may just be defective.
  
  
• Completely ripped off.....
  By A3VYXV6ZE2QY9O on 2005-02-09
  I have been a fan of this miniseries since it was released in the eighties. I couldn't wait until the entire collection was released in DVD form. I regret greatly purchasing this "collection" from Amazon. I was happily watching the first book, when to my surprise, a complete episode was skipped. It just wasn't there - it had been completely left off. It was an episode which was crucial to the entire plot line of the series, thus making the "entire collection" completely worthless. This was bad enough, but then Amazon refused to replace it. Even though they sold a defective product, they refused to exchange it telling me that because I was nine days outside of the return window - "too bad". I see from other reviews that I am not the only person that has experienced this problem. When I pointed this out I was told by their customer service person, "Too Bad". This complete lack of professionalism coupled with the lack of any type of customer service from this company leaves me with a worthless product and no recourse. My advice to anyone here - do not buy this collection from Amazon. Buy it from a company that actually cares about its customers.
  
  
• Best Mini-series Ever
  By on 2003-12-18
  I remember watching North and South Book 1 when it first aired on Network television. My whole family sat down and watched it. I was so excited when they came out with North and South Book II, to continue the story. However I didn't care much for the Book III. It was quite disappointing compared to the first two. This is hands-down the best mini-series ever made, from the story to the actors, to the beautiful costumes. It also has top notch cast. I try and watch it every time it comes on the Hallmark Channel. I taped it the second time it aired on network television in the 1980's but I have watched it so much, the tapes are starting to wear out. I hope they decide to release it on DVD..If you haven't ever seen this miniseries, I highly recommend that you watch it...You will love it.
  
  
• A true learning tool
  By on 2003-07-31
  I watched this air for the first time as an 8 year old and when my son was 3 I allowed him to watch it for the first time. He is truelly against learning in any way as most boys are. Even with that in mind he can tell you all the battles fields, all the generals, and even the dates of the begining and end of the war. Also he will spirt out the time, place, date and murderer of Lincoln. He only wants to read books about the war and insists on watching both editions of my collection atleast once a month. He is eight now, and we both agree that this should be on dvd, due to the fact the tapes are just not holding up to over use, and that our countries history is so well told in these movies. I want to be able to share them with as many generations as possible. Please put them to DVD!!!!!
  
  
• ~Book 1 and Book 2 are fantastic~ Book 3?
  By A3I8PDX62YWTLO on 2005-04-28
  I've read and loved the North and South trilogy.
  
  Books 1 and 2 on film were fairly true to the books.
  
  Book 3 was an utter let down. Rugged dark haired and dark eyed Cousin Charles morphed into a blonde haired blue eyed twenty year old. The first Charles was weather and war beaten, his fiance died in childbirth...he was a torn up man...then in book 3 he looks like a surfer dude fresh out of his first year of college. His complexion is so rosey.
  
  What were they thinking with that?
  
  Orry was the love of Madeline's life: so three months after his murder she is lustfully eyeballing his married best friend. This simply did not happen in the book.
  
  Brother Cooper arrives from no place in book 3. He was absent from 1 and 2.
  
  The widowed and widower George and Madeline gradually feel an affection and marry. The book was more tasteful and less Hollywood.
  
  And what is up with Virgilia dying for her sins? She was supposed to settle down an bit and she actually saves Mont Royal from Ashton's scheming. I suppose that was too dull for Hollywood.
  
  Perhaps I misunderstood the timeline, but in the end of book two, Orry's and Charles' babies were the same age. Then in book three, Charles' child is five years old, and Orry's child remains a baby.
  
  Too many changes ruined this.
  
  I was so looking forward to book 3 on film.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Great movies...terrible DVD edition
  By A3B8JYG83Q8E3B on 2005-05-31
  I just want to start off by saying that I absolutely love this series. My mother and I used to watch each and every episode of each book every single time they came on television. I even found book three mildly entertaining, although I was saddened by the number of characters that were absent, and/ or played out by different actors.
  
  The DVD edition however is terrible. I love the packaging (each book in it's own case, and all three stacked neatly into a pretty box), but the way they chose to put the series on DVD is not so great. Each DVD is double sided, which is very hard to deal with. DVD's are sensitive enough without having to constantly worry about damaging one side of your disc when trying to turn it over. It took so very long for this wonderful series to be released on DVD. I was really hoping for something with more pizazz when you opened the DVD cases. All you see is some very shiny, very fragile looking DVD's that you have to handle like precious jewels.
  
  If you like the series, I still reccomend this item. It has all three books (which most of us did not know was ever made into a film), and it's a great price.
  
  
• First 2 Great... Third Trash
  By ANEDXRFDZDL18 on 2005-12-22
  North and South is the epic drama of two male friends, Orry, from the South and George from the North. By far, my favorite of the two was Orry. The cast of characters in this film is endless... and ever-changing. I was disappointed not to find out what happened to dozens of interesting characters from the first two books, who seemed to be dropped in the third episode. In fact, I fast forwarded many scenes in book 3, because I simply found I lost interest after Orry's untimely (and poorly handled) death.
  
  Also, Bent's constant resurrection and menace got old. I wanted to drop-kick this character everytime I heard his annoying southern drawl. He was okay in the first two books, but seeing him as a murdering, raping peddlar was a little over-the-top.
  
  I recommend watching the first two books, but skipping book 3. Book 3 was too corny to be believed.
  
  
• Television reached new heights with North and South
  By A2UIH5C87IZG2G on 2004-11-09
  I have been awaiting the dvd release of this miniseries and it didnt disappoint. The video quality far surpasses any of the prerecorded vhs versions that had been released. My only compaint is the sound is low. I dont expect surroundsound, but the volume needs to be turned up quite high.
  
  In Books 1 and 2 you are treated to a indepth view of the wealth of the south, the slavery issue from both sides.And the war while not graphic in a blood and guts sense, is none the less disturbing.
  
  Jakes created some compelling and well rounded characters. Orry(Patrick Swayze) and George (James Read) become friends and stay friends throughout hardships and war.
  
  You can feel the pain of Orry's longing for the beautiful Madeline, the torment by Bent, the fondness he has for George.
  
  TV today seems created for voyeurs but back in the 80's we saw some wonderful programming and North And South Books 1 and 2 were the cream of that crop.
  
  I wouldnt bother with Book 3 which is also included. A pale, weak storyline. None of the granduer that was evident in the first 2 stories.It was not part of the original series but done 5 years later. The remaining characters who appear seem washed out and boring in comparison. Madleine and Ashton seem to have subscribed to the heroin-chic fad during that 5 years.
  
  And they introduce another Main (Orry's brother?) played by Robert Wagner who was not even mentioned in the first 2 books.
  
  Plus the character of Charles who went through hell in the war and aged considerably, is now played by a guy who looks about 16 ,Kyle Chandler.
  
  However on that 3rd disc is a making Of special program where the main stars duscuss the series. Very interesting.
  
  So buy it for Books 1 and 2 and you will not be disappointed.
  
  
• My favorite Civil War movie
  By on 2002-08-27
  This is the best civil war movie I have ever seen... This movie is watched so often that the tapes are getting worn out. The characters are very beliveable and I would recomend this movie to anybody who likes good movies, even if they aren't a civil war buff. The movie not only portrays the war itself but it also shows the family and what was going on on the home front, it didn't just center on the war. This is as I said my favorite civil war movie. I also recommend the Blue and the Gray, but I think this one is better. It is long, because it is a mini series, but it is worth it.
  
  
• Finally!!!
  By on 2004-07-20
  Finally it is here! North and south on dvd. I'm so glad. I have been waiting for years to be able to own all three books (book 3 has never before been available). I have enjoyed watching these miniseries since I was a child. It is surely one of the best stories I have ever seen. The friendship, the love and romance, and the struggle of war are all magnificent. A group of very well casted characters. I will cherish it for years to come.
  
  
• FINALLY!!!
  By A1SZY38FBZT89F on 2004-07-29
  I have been waiting for this to come out on DVD for what seems like forever! I think I've watched the VHS version (of Books 1 and 2, at least) until they're nearly worn out. This entire series of books and films holds great sentimental value for me.
  
  But, speaking of the different books . . .
  
  Those who are looking forward to a smooth story will be in for a bit of a shock. While 1 and 2, about 12 hours each when they originally aired, stayed quite true to the spirit of the books (much in the way of the "Lord of the Rings" films), Book 3 is a different story. I would recommend reading the books before watching the third part, because there are characters who are prominent in the books yet are absent from the first two mini-series. Also, the thrid series is about half the length of each of the other two. I wish it were longer, and more consistent with its predecessors.
  
  I'm also looking forward to the extras, because I've not heard much about the making of the three mini-series (aside from the couples who got together and what I learned while visiting Boone Hall several years ago). I hope they'll be a great treat.
  
  
• The Complete Collection - Hardly!
  By A1QA25YSQY39R3 on 2004-10-26
  I gave this collection 4 stars because although the Epic deserves 5 stars, Warner Brothers deserves less for this collection.
  
  First let me say that I love this story. I have had this on Video since I taped it myself in the 80's. Since that time I have worn the tapes out. I have watched them over and over till there are parts where I can quote the dialogue. So far, I have only watched the first two parts of Book I and already I have found 2 missing scenes. I wonder how many more i will discover by the time i watch the entire collection. Why the decision was made to delete scenes is beyond me, but to say the least, I was disappointed.
  
  My first disappointment came when I opened the collection and found no Art inside. With all the wonderful photographs I have seen over the years, they could have presented it better.
  
  Then, each cd is broken into 2 hour "parts", you can't skip to watch a favorite scene, or repeat it to catch some detail. Very disappointing.
  
  Although I love this Mini-series, I don't think justice was done the the grandure of this Civil War epic.
  
  
• Simply wonderful and I liked Heaven and Hell too:)
  By A1OBDQCTFULOCP on 2004-10-26
  I loved this miniseries. I watched North and south book I and II when it first aired almost 20 years ago. I was so excited to see that the DVD was going to come out with all three stories. I love Terri Garber she's wonderful. I just finished watching Heaven and Hell, and it wasn't that bad. I had never seen part 3 until I got the DVD's. I do wish they had kept some of the same cast members. I thought Kyle Chandler did a good job as Charlie in part 3 but Lewis Smith to me will always be Charlie. I wish they could have gotten Mary Crosby or Wendy Fulton to play Isabel again It was good to see Cathy Lee Crosby in part 3. Overall it's worth the money, and I feel Amazon.com has this set a great price. It's was great watching all 3 DVD's. Buy it. Trust Heaven and Hell isn't that bad. It's not up to the same standards as Part I and II, but overall, I did enjoy it.
  
  
• in response to "perfct"
  By AO0I8HL5KEOG1 on 2004-12-17
  This person claims to be a "HUGE" fan of N&S, and they don't even know what they're talking about in their review! They stated that there are a bunch of scenes missing when in fact they are NOT. I just checked my dvd's and all the scenes that they claim are missing are indeed there. They also claim that they don't show President Lincoln getting assasinated, but I checked my vhs version and it's NOT shown on them either.
  This review of their's will throw everyone off if they believe them. Maybe they have a defective copy...I don't know.
  And furthermore, if they're such a fan, they would know that her name is "Virgilia" not "Gillian". "nuff said!
  
  
• The Completely Inoperable Collection
  By AYHXH8WHKX1JH on 2005-02-26
  I too am a victim of Amazon shipping defective material and refusing to stand behind the product. This was a Christmas gift to me from my mother. Amazon has given me every policy dodge in the book including first asking whether it was a gift then refusing to accept the return because I didn't order it! What a run around.
  
  This isn't the first time we've had problems with Amazon and the "it's not our problem" attitude. We are done with this on- line company. Anyone interested in starting a new one that understands customer service?
  
  
  
  
• A "must release on DVD" movie
  By A3MVDI1AMUOXR6 on 2003-07-31
  I just watched North and South this past week. What a spectacular movie! I love Book II equally as much. This movie absolutely should be released to DVD. I gained a great deal of knowledge about the Civil War and the events leading up to it from this movie. The story line is wonderful, and every actor was perfectly matched to his or her part. A must see for everyone and a must release to DVD by Warner Brothers.
  
  
• It's official folks
  By A1KZ93IQ774KR0 on 2004-07-09
  North and South - The Complete Collection: Books One, Two, & Three is on-the-way for an October 5th release. This will contain:

  1985's North & South
  1986's North and South: Book II
  1994's Heaven & Hell: North & South, Book III

  This Emmy Award-winning powerful adaptation of John Jakes' best-seller tells the story of the turbulent events and emotions that ignited the Civil War. In the tradition of Gone With The Wind, this glorious epic focuses on the lives of two families who are geographically and ideologically placed on opposite sides of the war - The North and The South. The saga follows the families through their changing fortunes at home and the harsh realities of the battlefields until the South surrenders and the families are reunited in friendship. In the final installment, the story of the two families continues through Post-Civil War Reconstruction into pioneer Indian territories. Starring Patrick Swayze, David Carradine, George Brown, James Read, Kirstie Alley, Philip Casnoff.

  The 5-DVD set has a running time of 1392 minutes, and features a bonus documentary, "The History of North and South". In that documentary you'll find these subjects:

  Focusing on: An Epic Story: John Jakes and David Wolper discuss the story and mini-series
  The Hazards: James Read and Kirstie Alley talk about their roles and the Hazard family
  The Orry's: Patrick Swayze talks about his role.
  A Time and Place: look at the period and the south
  An Epic Production: Civil War recreations and the scope of production
  Memories: final thoughts from cast and crew

  (...)
  
  

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