My weakness

(source: link)

I enjoy an old fashion romance . . . ok, I can hear some of you cringing.  I stress "old-fashion" compare to the modern "jump in the bed in the first chapter" type romance novels.  The modern ones are about sex and lust and no, I don't enjoy those at all.  However the lovely ones written many years ago I do like (secretly).  I don't read them very often but every now and again I pop out my Jane Eyre or Pride and Prejudice type romances and thoroughly enjoy the journey.

However sometimes I skip the book (when I am lazy) and move straight to the mini series and thanks to the BBC there are many wonderful historical mini-series to enjoy.  Beautifully crafted and such a joy to watch (compared to many things on DVD/TV these days).  A few weeks ago whilst on holidays I enjoyed watching Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South (2003).  It is similar to Pride and Prejudice, however it is set against the backdrop of Victorian England's industrial north and follows the fortunes of Margaret Hale.
Her father decides to move north to a smell, grimy town of Milton (fictional - however it could have been Manchester or other similar locations). Their home in the south was in the country, full of green meadows and flowers.  Milton is not pretty.
Margaret takes instant offense to the squalid and noise of Milton and its people. She becomes terribly lonely and hates the dirt and lack of civilization, blaming their new way of life for her mother's ailing health. Her distaste for the town and its people extends to handsome and charismatic cotton mill owner John Thornton (who is very dashing), whom she believes epitomises everything she dislikes about the North.  However, Margaret gradually begins to settle in Milton. Her social conscience awakens and she befriends some of the local mill workers, learning about their poverty and workplace struggles.
It is a grim story of the Industrial Revolution - the poverty, the work conditions in the cotton mills (and resulting strikes), the poor health from the cotton fibre (that fall like snowflakes), the lack of suitable housing and food, sanitary conditions - it certainly does not portray a rosy picture of life.  In saying this, it is beautifully made and the music creates a mood that fits so well.  I loved this story because it wasn't sweet and pretty.  Perhaps it has a level of honesty about it. But intertwined in the story is the love story between Margaret and John - it melted my heart and made my DH chuckles at me, finding it all very amusing when I love these films!

If you believe the comments on Amazon - hundreds of people rated this film with five ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (stars!).  So do I.   I just wish I had known about it much earlier as it was released in 2003.

Have you watched anything lately?




Comments

  1. One of my favorites! I watch it at least twice a year. Also, Wives and Daughters. Very good.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jo, we are way ahead of you! Bought the entire Elizabeth Gaskell DVD set for Carmen's birthday. We *love* North & South, but Wives & Daughters is a close second. Perhaps we are related? LL Nick

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nick - I am yet to watch Wives and Daughters but it is on my Amazon list. I do think we might be related!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, I do need to see this! I love these kinds of movies, but I haven't watched much of anything inages.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh dear, Jo. Romances make me laugh. My Liddy loves romantic comedy [actually I think she'd like North & South] but she won't watch with me because I'm likely to collapse in insane giggles at just the wrong moment. Too much Taming of the Shrew & Romeo & Juliet [which is too hysterical for words] at a tender & inpressionable age. Never mind. I still love you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. oh I'm so with you Jo (though I go straight to the dvds and not the books ):)
    I watched North and South when it was on TV a few years ago and it was great! We have Pride and Prejudice on video (yes VHS lol, that we got for $2 at a lifeline booksale).
    btw, are you watching "the no.1 ladies detective agency" that's on at the moment? it's great! a series of books made into a series, I reckon you'll love it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Joyfulmum - I missed North and South when it was on TV but I am so pleased I found it on DVD! No I haven't been watching no. 1 Ladies.... I wasn't overly keen on the book (I only read the first one). Perhaps I need to give it a second go!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. So Ganeida - you would have laughed when the handsome John Thornton said "Look back, look back at me" as Margaret drove off in the carriage. We all knew that he was in love . . . my heart just melted. :) And she didn't look back . . . so sad:(

    Ok, I did chuckle a little. But my husband did more than chuckle!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh yes, love true romance novels and movies! Have never heard of this one, will have to see it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looking forward to seeing these, Jo! :) They sound great! Might start one tonight! (Thank you!!) ;)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I enjoy those historical books and television series, and perhaps my girls would in small doses. Sigh...one day the house will be empty and I will get to make my own choices.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Both my co-worker and I watched North and South in the last couple of months, and have fallen in love with it. And I highly recommend the novel as well. Elizabeth Gaskell was a great observer of the nuances of the changing Victorian culture. It's a great read, bringing out even more of the complexities of the characters then the movie!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment