North & South

Just finished watching BBC's TV serial from 2004, an adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's 19th century novel, North & South.

I had ordered the DVD from Amazon UK and I must say that it was well worth it. I love period dramas for several reasons. Foremost of which is the language. And I think the BBC does this best.

Many people have compared this series to Pride and Prejudice I think mainly because of the brooding central male characters. Yes, Thornton and Darcy, are both brooding, but there is fire in Thornton which I don't remember in Darcy. Richard Armitage did a stellar job and the role has capitulated him into a star, as far as I can see from the postings.

Daniela Denby-Ashe also did a superb job as Margaret. Was very surprised to learn that she was an East Enders alum. No histrionics. Her reactions were always subtle, somewhat studied which took a little away from it.

Essentially this was a love story. But the locations and the sets... the most spectacular piece being that of the cotton mill. Was amazed at how they had built a fully working cotton mill until I realised this was shot in a working museum. Two locations were used for the Cotton Mill. The outside was filmed at Dalton Mill in Keighley and the inside at Helmshore Textile Museum, Rossendale.

I feel the music got neglected somewhat. I found it to be most evocative. The opening notes at the start of the DVD menu were really tugging at your heartstrings. Some people may find it too much but I thought it was superb. I think the composer Martin Phipps did an excellent job.

Like all period dramas, the pace is more leisurely than a lot of people would care for. But its exactly the slow boil that brings out its best. And all BBC serials somehow include so many wonderful supporting performances.

Check this out if you get the chance.