“North and South” is a 1985 miniseries based on the novel by John Jakes. The series is set in the United States before, during, and after the American Civil War, and follows the lives of two families from different parts of the country – the Hazards of Pennsylvania and the Mains of South Carolina. The story is a sweeping epic that covers themes such as slavery, politics, and romance.
Review:
“North and South” is a classic and highly acclaimed miniseries that is regarded as one of the best historical dramas ever made. The series boasts a talented cast, including Patrick Swayze, James Read, Lesley-Anne Down, and Kirstie Alley, who deliver powerful and emotionally charged performances. The story is gripping and provides a fascinating and detailed look at the history of the United States during a pivotal period. The production values are also top-notch, with stunning costumes, sets, and cinematography.
Awards:
“North and South” was nominated for several Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Limited Series, and won two – for Outstanding Sound Mixing and Outstanding Costume Design.
Popularity:
“North and South” was a huge commercial success and remains a beloved classic among fans of historical dramas. It has a 8.1/10 rating on IMDb and a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The series’ engaging characters, gripping story, and high production values have made it a timeless classic that continues to be enjoyed by audiences today.
| Genre | Historical fiction |
|---|---|
| Created by | David L. Wolper |
| Based on | North and South (trilogy) by John Jakes |
| Story by | John Jakes |
| Starring | James Read, Patrick Swayze, Lesley-Anne Down, Wendy Kilbourne, Kirstie Alley, Jean Simmons, Mitchell Ryan, Terri Garber, Genie Franci,s Kyle Chandler, David Ogden Stiers, David Carradine, Jonathan Frakes, Hal Holbrook, |
| Theme music composer | Bill Conti |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | Book I: 6 Book II: 6 Book III: 3 |
| Production | |
| Producer | Paul Freeman |
| Cinematography | Stevan Larner, ASC |
| Running time | 90 minutes/episode 1,342 mins. total |
| Production companies | David L. Wolper Productions Warner Bros. Television |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Picture format | 480i (NTSC) |
| Audio format | Book I & Book II: Mono Book III: Stereo |
| Original release | Book I: November 3, 1985 Book II: May 4, 1986 Book III: February 27, 1994 |