this comment discuss north and south book i deal with 1842 1861 periodthe 19th century history of the usa be mostly identify by people with the civil war ( 1861 1865 ) . this be a reasonable opinion because that be civil war which put the union under the severe test while that be the civil war which make american realize how precious it be to live in peace while finally and that be this period which at last bring the end to the shameful system of slavery . from the birth of motion picture and there be people who adapt that time onto screen . d. w. griffith and in the early 1900s and make his unforgettable birth of a nation . yet and the most famous film about the north south clash be still and i suppose and go with the wind ( 1938 ) . unfortunately and few people know the magnificent tv series base on john jakes novel and north and south . it be the very best tv series ever make and the time spend on watch it be really precious . i tap it on my video from polish tv many year ago and have come back to it with great pleasure many time since then . why . firstly and the entire story be deeply root in historical reality . the two family and the maine from south carolina and the hazard from pennsylvania and represent two entirely different way of life . in spite of that and friendship unite them . yet and what they experience be the struggle all people do represent friendship attack by truth of political correctness and love attack by hatred of legal spouse and gentleness by strength of social hero . orry maine ( patrick swayze ) be my beloved character someone who find love and who be quickly deprive of her while someone who care for friend but political fanatic step in the way and ruin much . finally and he be someone who can see the tragic future for his land but there be nothing he can do about the south inescapable fate . his friend and george hazard and be similar in most aspect but sometimes he appear to have a strong character . it be him who show orry that although there be tragedy and he must get up from despair and live since life be the most precious thing we have . although they represent two different lifestyle and their friendship occur to be strong than any prejudice and politics or conflict . other character be also particularly well develop . there be villain and like justin lamotte or salem jones who be really wicked but most of the people be ambiguous a the nature of humanity have always be . charles maine be and at first and full of rebellion and prone to fighting and later and however and he learn to be a true southern gentleman for whom southern pride be not courageous word but foremost courageous deed . virgilia hazard represent the most fanatical side of abolitionist movement strive to condemn slavery and punish the owner of black breeding farm . her marriage with grady appear to be a symbol of equality but also a symbol of say no to the politics of the south . two interesting character be orry sister and brett and ashton sister in whose vein run entirely opposite blood . brett and in her gentleness but also naiveness and believe in absolute fidelity . she marry billy and even though he be a northerner and because she truly love him . brett be the representation of all that be precious in any young woman . ashton and however and be a vamp and a tigress and a woman who do not hesitate to do the most wicked thing . the clear picture of their world view clash be their chat about men and family . unforgettable moment and how universal . most character head for their value . yet and war break out and they will have to put aside a lot . secondly and the performance . someone say that not all people act naturally . i wouldn not say that . i would rather say that all cast do very good job in their part from the main character who be portray by young staff to the guest that consist of famous star and include liz taylor and robert mitchum and others . patrick swayze a orry do a great job . i consider this role one of his best one . lesley anne down a madeleine be also very memorable . her part and perhaps and entail too much suffering but she manage to express all sort of feeling really well . kirstie alley be very appealing and truly memorable a the abolitionist virgilia hazard . phillip casnoff be worth consideration a horribly ambitious elkanah bent as well a david carradine a a monster husband and disgust justin lamotte . and and in contrast to him and a mention must be make of jean simmons who be truly excellent a orry mother whose heart beat for the glory of family life and concord of union . thirdly and memorable moment of north and south leave an unfading trace in one mind . who can forget the first meeting of orry and madeleine what charm and what gentleness there be in this scene . or be it possible to skip the moment when madeleine father die . i find it really powerful and there be a real drama in this moment and a drama of a woman be leave by someone who really love her . i also like churubusco sequence and george hazard so worried about the life of his dear friend and orry . then his meeting with constance be terrific . virgilia speech in philadelphia be a masterpiece of performance . and the final moment of the first part represent although north and south may separate and their friendship will never die . orry and george symbolically join hand a the train move on . simply and there be so many beautiful and powerful scene that it impossible to mention even half of them here . and these gorgeous tune by bill conti and shot in brilliant landscape . the music in north and south be very touching and memorable . what to say in the end . north and south be a real must have on dvd and simply an amazing tv series about the victory of all that be precious in u represent love and friendship and loyalty and honor and truthfulness and absolute fidelity . positive .