"North and South" (1985) TV mini-series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

3 November 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History | Romance | War | Western

Plot:

Two friends, one northern and one southern, struggle to maintain their friendship as events build towards the American Civil War.

Plot Keywords:

Friendship | Plantation | Civil War | Southerner | Epic

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 2 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Kirstie Alley	...	Virgilia Hazard (6 episodes, 1985)
Georg Stanford Brown	...	Garrison Grady (6 episodes, 1985)
David Carradine	...	Justin LaMotte (6 episodes, 1985)
Philip Casnoff	...	Elkanah Bent / ... (6 episodes, 1985)
Lesley-Anne Down	...	Madeline Fabray LaMotte (6 episodes, 1985)
Genie Francis	...	Brett Main / ... (6 episodes, 1985)
Terri Garber	...	Ashton Main Huntoon (6 episodes, 1985)
Wendy Kilbourne	...	Constance Flynn Hazard / ... (6 episodes, 1985)
Jim Metzler	...	James Huntoon (6 episodes, 1985)
James Read	...	George Hazard (6 episodes, 1985)
Lewis Smith	...	Charles Main (6 episodes, 1985)
John Stockwell	...	Billy Hazard (6 episodes, 1985)
Patrick Swayze	...	Orry Main (6 episodes, 1985)
Johnny Cash	...	John Brown (6 episodes, 1985)
Olivia Cole	...	Maum Sally (6 episodes, 1985)
Morgan Fairchild	...	Burdetta Halloran (6 episodes, 1985)
Robert Guillaume	...	Frederick Douglass (6 episodes, 1985)
Hal Holbrook	...	Abraham Lincoln (6 episodes, 1985)
Gene Kelly	...	Sen. Charles Edwards (6 episodes, 1985)
Robert Mitchum	...	Patrick Flynn (6 episodes, 1985)
Jean Simmons	...	Clarissa Main (6 episodes, 1985)
David Ogden Stiers	...	Congressman Sam Greene (6 episodes, 1985)
Inga Swenson	...	Maude Hazard (6 episodes, 1985)
Elizabeth Taylor	...	Madam Conti (6 episodes, 1985)
John Anderson	...	William Hazard (6 episodes, 1985)
Lee Bergere	...	Nicholas Fabray (6 episodes, 1985)
Jonathan Frakes	...	Stanley Hazard (6 episodes, 1985)
Wendy Fulton	...	Isabel Truscott Hazard (6 episodes, 1985)
David Harris	...	Priam (6 episodes, 1985)
Mitch Ryan	...	Tillet Main (6 episodes, 1985)
Forest Whitaker	...	Cuffey (6 episodes, 1985)
Erica Gimpel	...	Semiramis (4 episodes, 1985)
William Ostrander	...	Forbes LaMotte (4 episodes, 1985)
Tony Frank	...	Salem Jones (3 episodes, 1985)
Alveda King Beale	...	Slave (3 episodes, 1985)
Walter Barnes	...	Benny Haven (2 episodes, 1985)
Nikki Creswell	...	Young Brett Main (2 episodes, 1985)
Chris Douridas	...	George McClellan (2 episodes, 1985)
Temi Epstein	...	Young Ashton Main (2 episodes, 1985)
William Preston Daly	...	Tom 'Stonewall' Jackson (2 episodes, 1985)
Arthur Gilliard	...	Nathaniel (2 episodes, 1985)
Cody W. Hampton	...	George Pickett (2 episodes, 1985)
Tuck Milligan	...	Smith Dawkins (2 episodes, 1985)
Andy Stahl	...	Cadet Ned Fisk (2 episodes, 1985)
Robert Vaucresson	...	Jed (2 episodes, 1985)

Runtime:

561 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-15 (DVD rating) (2006) | UK:15 (season 2) | UK:PG (season 1) | Netherlands:12 | Australia:MA (DVD rating) | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Boone Hall Plantation - 1235 Long Point Road, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, USA

Company:

David L. Wolper Productions

Trivia:

James Read's great-great-uncle, Sebaldus Hassler, fought and died with the Union Army, falling in battle at Vicksburg, Mississippi, on May 20, 1863. Read's great-great-grandfather, Sampson T. Groves, served in the First Ohio Volunteer Heavy Artillery until his honorable discharge on July 25, 1865, after which he lived to a ripe old age.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the end of part 6, when George and Orry leave the Hazard mansion during the anti-southern procession: George is wearing a round Union-sympathy mark, but when they arrive to the rail station, the mark is flower-shaped.

Quotes:

Orry Main: [Orry is drunk] I think I'll be the judge of that.
George: Do you? Well I don't think you've got the judgement of a mule right now, all you do is sit there and feel sorry for yourself.

Movie Connections:

Featured in George W. Bush Battles Jesus Christ (2008)

Beautifully Crafted

"North & South" the television mini-series is to the 80's what "Rich Man, Poor Man" (the first-ever TV mini-series) was to the 70's.

It's a fabulous adaptation of the first classic novel in the trilogy from author John Jakes. The story itself covers the two decades leading up to the years of the election of President Abraham Lincoln and the imminent proclamation of the Civil War - North versus South. The intertwining stories evolve around the families of the Hazards (the 'North' in the title) and the Mains and their two central figures of George and Orry who form a friendship whilst embarking on their West Point training in 1842.

"North & South" is a wonderful historic timeline and as I have grown older (and wiser!) it very much interests me to learn about the contrasting attitudes to such controversial aspects as 'Slavery' and 'Abolitionists', and how these attitudes originated.

The series also portrays some great characterisation development as we get to know about the friends and enemies in George and Orry's lives, and also the women that stole their hearts as young men. This aspect of the story also uncovers a romantic tale that is set to the turbulent backdrop of the American Civil War.

"North & South", along with "Rich Man, Poor Man" is overshadowed by 1977's "Roots" as the greatest mini-series of all-time. However, it does come a close second/third and also shares the same kind of timeline and themes as "Roots". But, don't let this one get away, even if it's just to see the great scenery, costumes, and brilliant all-star cast including Gene Kelly, Johnny Cash, Elizabeth Taylor, James Stewart, Olivia De Havilland, Lesley-Anne Down et al.

The series is beautifully crafted and is firmly tied to actual historic events and it's a pity the Emmys and Golden Globes didn't honour a lot more of the actors and actresses for their portrayals. Patrick Swayze and James Read, the two virtual unknown lead actors at the time, turn in compelling performances as Orry Main and George Hazard respectively. However, it's Kirstie Alley's riveting performance as George's 'Abolitionist' sister Virgilia that steals the show many times. Plus, Terri Garber, David Carradine and Philip Casnoff as Elkanah Bent are the delicious villains of the piece you just love to hate.

"North & South" Books 1 & 2 are now available on two DVD sets.