Movie: North and South

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5 (which is exactly a one point rise from what I previously would have rated it)

Genre: Romance, classic

Primary actors: Richard Armitage, Daniela Denby-Ashe

Length: A little over three hours (four episodes, each 50 minutes)

Based on: North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Time period: 1800’s

Year it came out: 2004

My overall opinion: I liked it better than last time, but still don’t absolutely love it. Yes, Mr. Thornton is handsome. And Margaret is also quite nice. But it’s SO gray! I thought that maybe that wouldn’t stand out to me so much after seeing and loving Little Dorrit, but it still felt very oppressive, almost. I think that some of the reason I like LD better is because of the extreme characters. Oh, there are certainly some very extreme characters here, but not in the same way. As usual, I found the mill scenes intensely interesting – factories have long fascinated me.

You know, this story could also have been called Pride and  Prejudice. Both characters suffer from both problems. And Mr. Thornton and Margaret have so many mis-understandings! It’s quite amazing. Practically every time they’re together, they have some mis-understanding.

I’m glad I watched it again, but it’s not a new favorite period drama. However, I have friends who absolutely love it, not to mention all the bloggers I know who love it, so by all means – if you haven’t seen it yet, give it a try! I do recommend that you read about it on IMDb or some other blogs first for a full list of things that might be objectionable – I don’t feel like tackling that right now. :P

Male Doubles: Post 3

The final male doubles post! I may do more of these as I find more/watch more, but we'll have to see. :) We have some fun ones in here...enjoy!

Gene Kelly

Tommy Albright (Brigadoon, 1954)

Don Lockwood (Singin' in the Rain, 1952)

{{He was also in North and South as Senator Charles Edwards. Note that this is the 1985 North and South, a television series about the Civil War}}

Simon Woods

Charles Bingley (Pride and Prejudice, 2005)

Dr. Harrison (Cranford, 2007)*

 

Richard Armitage

Mr. Thornton (North and South, 2004)

Guy of Gisborne (Robin Hood, 2006-2009)* {I want to see this...}

Thorin Oakenshield (The Hobbit, coming in late 2012, 2013, 2014)

Heinz Kruger (Captain America, 2011)

 

Tom Hollander

Osborne Hamley (Wives and Daughters, 1999)

Mr. Collins (Pride and Prejudice, 2005)

James McAvoy

Tumnus the Faun (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, 2005)

Tom Lefroy (Becoming Jane, 2007)*

Sergeant Bloxham (Lorna Doone, 2000)* {on the left}

We have reached the end of male doubles! A total of 15. :) I hope you enjoyed the pictures! But remember, we are not yet totally done! Still one more post of female doubles coming soon. 

Female Doubles: Post 1

Here we go, on our first Female Doubles post! There are at least two more of these in the works. :) Remember, suggestions are welcome!

* means I haven't seen the movie.

Romola Garai

Emma (Emma, 2009)

Barbara Spooner (Amazing Grace, 2006)*

Gwendolen Harleth (Daniel Deronda, 2002)*

Celia (As You Like It, 2006)*

{{no picture}}

Anna Maxwell Martin

Bessy Higgins (North and South, 2004)

Cassandra Austen (Becoming Jane, 2007)*

Esther Summerson (Bleak House, 2005)*

Keeley Hawes

Cynthia Kirkpatrick (Wives and Daughters, 1999)

Fancy Day (Under the Greenwood Tree, 2005)

Rosamund Pike

Jane Bennet (Pride and Prejudice, 2005)

Lady Harriet Cumnor (Wives and Daughters, 1999)

North and South

Author: Elizabeth Gaskell

Genre: Romance, life

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 415

Time period: 1800's

Main characters: Margaret, Mr. Thornton, the Hales, Bessy, Higgins

Exciting events: A strike, a death, several deaths, and more

Passage from book or back cover: "One word more. You look as if you thought it tainted you to be loved by me. You cannot avoid it. Nay, I, if I would, cannot cleanse you from it. But I would not, if I could. I have never loved any woman before: my life has been too busy, my thoughts too much absorbed with other things. Now I love, and will love. But do not be afraid of too much expression on my part."

My overall opinion: You know what? I enjoyed this book. I wasn't really expecting to, simply because I really don't like the movie much. But having read the book for this second time, I think that I need to see the movie again. I recommend this book!