I got this version out because I'd recently watched the DVD of the 2004 remake of NORTH AND SOUTH with Richard Armitage, Daniela Denby-Ashe and Sinead Cusack. Like so many Dickens, Gaskell and Trollope novels, to name a few, they've had various versions made over the years, so I wanted to compare the two, plus I partly revere Rosalie Crutchley, she's great in anything.
To be honest, so far I've only viewed Disc One of this earlier version, containing a measly 2 episodes, but on reflection felt that compared to the newer one, it lacked much punch and verve.
All the sets and costumes and hairstyles were brilliant, as only the BBC USED to do so well, unfortunately nowadays we get very little of merit or viewing interest from that corporation.
Patrick Stewart, looking incredibly young and with hair(!) was a bit insipid as the factory owner and the lady playing Margaret (Rosalind Shanks, not really known to me, now or then) seemed to lack the fire and passion that Daniela brought to the role.
We got much more of a view of the horrors of the factory, its flying fluff, and the ire of the workers compelled to strike, plus all the dirt and squalor of the factory in the sordid Midlands town that Margaret rails about, in the newer version.
Will I persevere to Disc 2?
Yes probably, if only to see the resolution.