I saw this miniseries when it first came out, and loved it. Years later I read the books and then, rented the entire miniseries. I have to say that I was very, very disappointed.
On its own, this is a very good made for TV story. It is also an excellent history lesson. As an adaptation from the book, it sucks. The story has been butchered and messed with beyond recognition (by the time book 2 is reached). There are too many important details and characters which are left out from the story. This defeats the purpose, because the book does not only show us the most commonly known events and issues of the period; but lesser known, yet important things, like southerner's against slavery (Orry's older brother, who does not exist in the movie), the politics and corruption in Washington and the weapon\procurements deals, just to name a few.
The only aspect of the movie that is better than the book is sergeant Bent, the treatment of his character is more realistic, the book's treatment of the character is too childish.
This is a great story, full of history and character studies, it is sad that the movie does not remain faithful to the book. "The Winds of War" proofs that made for TV adaptations can remain extremely faithful to the book in letter and spirit; and this, makes "North and South" inexcusable.
On its own, this is a very good made for TV story. It is also an excellent history lesson. As an adaptation from the book, it sucks. The story has been butchered and messed with beyond recognition (by the time book 2 is reached). There are too many important details and characters which are left out from the story. This defeats the purpose, because the book does not only show us the most commonly known events and issues of the period; but lesser known, yet important things, like southerner's against slavery (Orry's older brother, who does not exist in the movie), the politics and corruption in Washington and the weapon\procurements deals, just to name a few.
The only aspect of the movie that is better than the book is sergeant Bent, the treatment of his character is more realistic, the book's treatment of the character is too childish.
This is a great story, full of history and character studies, it is sad that the movie does not remain faithful to the book. "The Winds of War" proofs that made for TV adaptations can remain extremely faithful to the book in letter and spirit; and this, makes "North and South" inexcusable.