I've just finished watching the 4 hour BBC film North and South. It is amazing! No, set your fears at rest, it is not another period drama/documentary about the War Between the States/Civil War. The North and South referred to are the industrial North and the rural South of England in the 1850's when, even in Britain, cotton was king. It's based on a book of the same title by Elizabeth Gaskell which I haven't read yet. Here are some reasons why I think you should watch it, if you haven't already:
1. The cinematography is amazing. This isn't a "pretty" film, it's a visually stunning film. The constant flurry of cotton in the mill with John Thornton in his stark black suit standing out in contrast...it's incredible. For some reason the complete bleakness and drabness of the surroundings make the characters stand out all the more. Plus, there are several dramatic shots of Edinburgh masquerading as Milton - the "auld reekie" plays her role well.
2. It's fascinating historically. It deals with a period of time in English history that is seldom focussed upon. It paints an interesting picture of the advantages and negatives of the industrial revolution. It shows both sides (pretty rare in today's world) - the abject poverty and the desparate need for work and food that could drive men to form unions and become violent, the greed of some businessmen, the honesty and honour of others, the need for " masters" to provide work so their employees wouldn't starve to death.
3. Philosophically it's very good. All the characters are clearly flawed - and all by pride. A mother's pride in her son that makes her unable to show kindness to another; a girl's pride in her own morality that makes her quick to judge others; a man's pride in being able to take care of everything and run everything and fix everything that makes him unable to listen to others; a worker's pride in who he is that makes him unable to see the other side of things. In every instance this pride is seen by everyone except the one who has it, until love in some shape or form not only shows it to them but changes them. Each character faces a blow exactly in what they took pride in. The mother almost loses her son's love through her stubbornness; the girl is judged quickly and harshly by others; the man sees his empire crumble before him; and the worker is forced to go, cap in hand, to speak to his enemy. And yet for each of them, that is the turning point. That is the point which changes them, which saves them from themselves. And the tool used to turn them at that moment is the truth spoken in love by others. To me the film is clear: we are sinful, our lives are messy and full of good and bad characteristics, but truth and love can change us. Yes, ultimately our lives are changed by the Holy Spirit, but He uses the truth spoken in love to do it.
4. The love story is amazing. Ultimately it's honest, unselfish love that drives the two main characters to see the best in each other despite experiencing the worst of each other and to carry on loving each other while all the time thinking the other hates them. And, extremely rare in films, the last scene is the best scene of all - it could stand alone, but it means even more when you see it in the context of the 3 hrs and 40 minutes that go before it and understand the changes that take place in the characters to bring them to that point.
