Does anyone NOT have a crush on Armitage as Thornton? Also the end... I think I cried. T_T At how happy I was.

Great review - as always. Loved the novel, and the film clips on KZfaq inspired me to buy the DVD. Richard Armitage - oh my! Be still my beating heart 💕.

Mrs. Gaskell was raised in the South and became a minister's wife in the industrial northern city of Manchester - she was also raised by an aunt, as Margaret was. I wonder if it was something of her own growth into that role that she was describing. The beginning of the labor unions was a bloody time here as well as in England (presidents sending in troops to break up strikes, for example) and Gaskell is well aware of this. Labor conditions were vile and deadly, and as a minister's wife, she would have been working among laborers. For me the development of the relationship between Thornton and Higgins is as important as that between the lovers. This adaptation does a good job with that. Richard Armitage is impossibly gorgeous and compelling as Thornton. Sinead Cusack is wonderful, and so are the other supporting actors. It does justice to the complexity of the issues which play out in the relationships. But - the scene at the end would never have happened at that time, between those two people. I don't think either of them would have allowed such a public display of their feelings. I miss the scene that brings Thornton to London and brings the two streams of Margaret's life together, showing Thornton's worth among the gentry, and wish they had included it in this series. Wonderful as the kiss is.

Once again, I'm so pleased you've reviewed N&S as I have very recently re-watched the DVD. It's a great love story but with plenty of grit. The downside of such great productions as this is that it's such a downer when they end and you have to come out of that particular enjoyment zone.

Great review, Jerome! Another Sandy Welch screenplay (Jane Eyre 2006, Emma 2009, etc.) who I think did a brilliant job with a novel that doesn't always read as well as it should. I know that sounds sacrilege, but I actually prefer this adaptation to the source material. I agree with everything you say. You have a really good understanding of the historical context! I have a few reservations; Daniella is a good actress but not a great one. And I'm not sure about the viciousness of the "beating" scene. I know why it was done - to give Margaret a more substantial reason to dislike Thornton than mere class snobbery. Trouble is, Sandy turned Thornton into a more "dangerous" character than he was in the book. Sort of "Byron"-ised him, as it were, which I think is a slight misrepresentation of his character. Still, small criticisms, I know. The music is beautiful, and the ending sizzles! Btw, the railway station is quite close to my home and I have sat on "that" bench! 10/10.

Your crushing is the best part of the review! Not to take away from the review, of course.

You are adorable! I too, saw the train station scene before even watching the mini series in a compilation video of some sort and just HAD to know where it was from. Completely fell in love with the series and the book

This is one of my favorites! I'm just surprised there are not any reactions to it on KZfaq. N&S deserves more recognition .

Can we just talk about that closing profile shot of Mr. Thornton at the end of episode 1 for a moment? Not only is the narration, scenery, lighting, and music completely amazing--not to mention it was the moment I knew I fell head over heels in love with Richard Armitage's Mr. Thornton--but I love the foreshadowing. Margaret says that she believes she's "seen Hell. And it's white. It's snow white." Cut to a nearly completely black silhouette of Mr. Thornton, subtly telling the audience that John Thornton is not the monster that Margaret believes he is. Rather, he is a good and principled man trying to do his employees right as much as he can against the practically unavoidable horrible working conditions of the time for their type of city environment.

I finished the novel last night and I literally squealed at the last couple of pages. Such a perfect, heart warming ending. Yay! And now I'm watching the 2004 movie. I watched the first "episode" and wow, that introduction of Mr. Thornton is quite intense but... hmm, I see what you mean. Mr. Thornton seemed hot to me on the page, imagine now... also, the sets are stunning. I tried the 1975 first but I gave up after 5 minutes or so... I'll watch your review about it to see if I can find some interest. I'm sorry for such a chaotic comment but I believe you'll understand 🤦🏼‍♀️🤣

Now Sep 2019 and i still stuck my mind with their love story. It seems so real than other stories which make me fell like everybody just live for love. Anw, for me, i believe N&S is more real and closer with the social at that time. And of course, their so beautiful love story of Margaret and Thornton, and chemistry between Richard and Daniella so much strong 💕💕💕💕💕 i just wanna drop my mind on Thornton's eyes when he looked at his Margaret

In my head I really want to believe that Richard Armitage liked this video 👍😊. I love this channel!

I am a fan of both Gaskell's books and Sandy Welch screenplays so this was a great combination for me. I have always liked Richard Armitage and even more for being the handsome stranger in the Vicar of Dibley! This was a great story and I did like all of the cast and showing both characters' view points. Train scene can't be beat. What a great ending! I watched this either on a rental or TV and immediately went out and bought the DVD.

You are so cute x3 I recently rewatched the mini-series, so I am SO GLAD to finally find another review of the story. I agree that episode 3 is a bit.. well, the word I would go with would be strange, or weird. Depending on my mood when I watch N&S, ep 3 either seems like natural coincidences or this random crime drama for extra ratings lol but I still love it.. and Richard Armitage/Mr. Thornton ;) To quote booktuber Ron Lit, "He's sexier than Mr. Darcy!" I gotta agree. He's so principled, has so much integrity, and is a genuinely good and responsible man. And his mother is a queen. I love her snippy sass and Fanny's melodrama. Every time I watch the mini-series, she gets more and more amusing.--I laughed so hard when I realized that she was fanning herself, instead of Margaret, after that mob scene xDD Oh, Fanny.. "I ALMOST *FAINTED* !"

That smile of yours in this review is priceless! I wanted to ask if you noticed anything in common between the famous final scene of this adaptation and the proposal scene of Victoria, the 2009 movie, because it always comes to my mind when I watch either. Thank you for this video!

I agree about the ending. It is beautiful.

Hi, I can't believe it has taken me so long to find the series and the book. It is amazing!! Please, if it's not much trouble, would you have the link to watch it in HD? I cannot find a good page to watch it with a proper resolution. Thanks for the review

I have no idea how I have seen both this video and the comparison video you did and not commented before now but I need to email you so we can just gush over this because the mini series is my favorite and the book is tied for my favorite (with Sense and Sensibility). 😀

I think its better than pride and prejudice

Man crush.......me too

I loved this story so much I'm super jealous of your review though compared to mine lol

U r so right

Beating an underling, particularly once he's already down, is an unspeakably scary trait. It is pretty much a guarantee that there will be domestic violence within the family, and in the days before divorce, that was even more dangerous than it is now. Thus it is not just prejudice or class consciousness on Margaret's part that makes her revile Thornton for that: it is also common sense and self-preservation. It is a truly terrible introduction to Thornton's character. It also undermines both the story line that Thornton is morally superior to the other mill owners and that Frederick was justified in his mutiny because the captain was brutal. The series would also have benefited greatly from telling us that Margaret had lived with her aunt in London for a decade. It would have explained why she was comfortable pursuing a friendship with Bessie, since she herself had been the poor relation who was loved for herself. It also would have given greater meaning to her proclamations about the south, since that would have included her experiences in London as well as in the less civilized town of Helstone. Additionally, it would have shown how strong Margaret's sense of social justice was, in that she could care for and associate with the abjectly poor as emotional and almost intellectual equals. That said, I agree with much of your review. Mr. Bell's character was aided greatly by his portrayal as someone who honestly turned his sarcasm inward as well. I also love the final scene (how couldn't we?), although it was terribly inappropriate for both the period and the characters.

I think its beautiful north a south not because Thornton character. Because he played that smart and the story behind him

Great review. My favourite period drama miniseries. Can you do a review of the BBC 1975 version please.

cute review

Jerome - I agree with you about the camera shots of John Thornton walking. In one direction, then seemingly switching directions.

Have you watched John Jakes’ North and South Television Miniseries? I would love to hear your review.

Great video! 2024 anyone?

It took me forever to get past the first episode because I couldn't stand miss hale.

You are redecules