North & South DVD Review

 ***Complimentary product received in exchange for an honest review***

The outstanding BBC period drama, starring Patrick Stewart (X-Men, Star Trek, I, Claudius), North & South makes its long-awaited worldwide DVD debut from Acorn on July 2, 2013. A classic British romance in the vein of Pride and Prejudice and Middlemarch, this popular program is based on the celebrated novel by Elizabeth Gaskell (Cranford, Wives and Daughters) and depicts the tensions of the Victorian era, as traditional society clashed with the coming of the modern world. Both a slow-burn romance and a clear-eyed view of the Industrial Revolution, North & South captivates with a magnetic performance from future star Patrick Stewart. Though broadcast on the BBC in 1975, the series likely never aired in the U.S., so this release is the first opportunity for U.S. audiences to see the miniseries. The DVD 2-Disc set includes four episodes ($39.99, AcornOnline.com). The miniseries co-stars Rosalind Shanks (A Question of Guilt) and Rosalie Crutchley (By the Sword Divided).

Independent-minded Margaret Hale (Rosalind Shanks) moves with her parents to Milton, a manufacturing city in England’s north. Compared to the bucolic south where she was raised, Milton stifles Margaret with industrial smoke and soot—and she takes an instant dislike to John Thornton (Patrick Stewart) the ambitious and severe mill owner. But amid a workers’ strike and family misfortunes, Margaret begins to reconsider her sentiments.

Street Date: July 2, 2013                  SRP: $39.99  

DVD 2-Disc – 4 episodes – Approx. 207 min. – British drama – SDH subtitles

My Thoughts

This period drama is absolutely fantastic. Based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, North & South gives you a look at how society clashed as the modern world fought for dominance in Victorian society.  Margaret and her father move to the county to tutor the commoners and there she meets the dashing textile worker who wins her heart. When a strike breaks out the two find themselves on opposing sides of the union.  Patrick Stewart does a phenomenal job in this early role that helped kick off his career. The costumes and setting are beautiful and realistic. Even though it was filmed in the seventies, this mini-series is much better than the newer version and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys period dramas.

 You can order the North & South DVD for only $39.99 at Acorn Media.


***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a sample of the product to try in order to write a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way. ***