North And South Books 1&2 (1985 – 86) Review

This yummy mini-series version of John Jakes’ Gone With The Wind-alike doorstoppers is girlie heaven, with Patrick Swayze heart-throbbingly heading a star-studded (Johnny Cash, Gene Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor) ensemble. Book 1 spans 1842 to the eve of Civil War and sees Northern George (James Read) and Southern aristocrat Orry (Swayze) bond at West Point, entwining their families through romance, tragedy and historical re-enactments; Book 2 follows the families’ fortunes in war. There’s cossies, forbidden loves, duels and boddice-ripping aplenty... both sets for Christmas, puh-leeze!