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

Director:

Richard T. Heffron

Writers:

Paul F. Edwards (writer)
Patricia Green (writer)

Release Date:

3 November 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | War

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Family Relationships | Espionage | Flogging | Friendship | Epic

Awards:

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

Cast

Patrick Swayze	...	Orry Main
James Read	...	George Hazard
Lesley-Anne Down	...	Madeline Fabray LaMotte
Wendy Kilbourne	...	Constance Flynn Hazard
Kirstie Alley	...	Virgilia Hazard
Jean Simmons	...	Clarissa Main
Terri Garber	...	Ashton Main Huntoon
Genie Francis	...	Brett Main Hazard
Philip Casnoff	...	Elkanah Bent
Lewis Smith	...	Charles Main
John Stockwell	...	Billy Hazard
David Carradine	...	Justin LaMotte
Inga Swenson	...	Maude Hazard
Jonathan Frakes	...	Stanley Hazard
Wendy Fulton	...	Isabel Truscott Hazard

Runtime:

561 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

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 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

David L. Wolper Productions

Trivia:

Philip Casnoff was nearly passed over for the role of Elkanah Bent because the producers thought he was "too short". Casnoff won them over when he did a practice scene in which he slammed another actor against a wall and yelled at him viciously. Casnoff noted that to do that audition, he summoned his feelings of rage from being recently mugged in a parking lot.

Goofs:

Continuity: After Orry throws Ashton out of Mont Royal he goes back to the study to pick up his cane. When he bends down to pick up the cane his tie is undone but is perfectly tied when he stands back up.

Quotes:

Justin: [after Madeline gives her opinion about secession in public] My dear, you forget yourself. Nobody here in this company cares what you have to say.
[drags her out of the room]
George: They're married, Orry. He's an arrogant ass but there's nothing you can do about it.
Orry Main: I'd like to horse whip him!
George: So would I. But it's not the time or the place.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Retrosexual: The 80's" (2004)

Wonderful

A story about love and hate, tragedy and happiness, and most of all, friendship set in the very interesting time of the American Civil War.

Gets you interested in history, gets you emotionally involved and makes you feverishly wait for the next episode.

Moreover, the casting was splendid. Many superstars appear in short cameos, the leading roles are played by a big array of talented mimes - Kirstie Alley and Terri Garber should be mentioned here - this is simply a superb example for a TV production as it should be.

Not to forget the sheer loveliness of Wendy Kilbourne portraying Constance :-)