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Reviews
North & South (2004)
Superb Victorian period drama
North and South is a captivating television art film with outstanding performances. Richard Armitage expresses a man of action and thought with great artistry. There is a strong contrast between the sunny, green countryside of Helstone with its echoing birdsong and the cold, grey northern industrial town of Milton with its factory noise. We can feel the severe cultural shock to the Hale family which is both physical and spiritual. However, there is unexpected beauty in the cotton mill in the enchanting scenes with the cotton flakes floating in the air like snow flakes with the phantom-like workers in the background. Industrial unrest leads to hardship, hunger and misery and the risky search for profit results in suffering for the factory masters and workers. Eventually, with the removal of prejudice and the understanding of different traditions, tolerance makes it possible for the characters to overcome their prejudices. The hands are used expressively to communicate different emotions such as the touching of hands, the shaking of hands in friendship or ignoring a handshake. A sensory effect is created with the tender hands in the passionately romantic scene. When the two trains intersect halfway Margaret (Daniela Denby-Ashe) has to decide which train she will be taking - to the north or to the south; this is a more satisfying ending than the ending in Elizabeth Gaskell's book. It was enjoyable to see the Special Features section, especially the interview with Richard Thornton talking about his character.
Attila (2001)
A compelling epic drama
Atilla 2001 (TV) A compelling epic drama
Attila/Atilla (Rollo Weeks) has the remarkable ability of a young warrior when hunting on the steppes. He deals resolutely with the tribesmen who destroyed his village so that his leadership quality is revealed at a young age.
Attila (Gerard Butler)(Timeline, Phantom of the Opera, Dear Frankie) is an impressive warrior who is proud of being a Hun. He unites the tribesmen of the villages to become a powerful force on the battlefield with their lightning attacks on the enemy; the use of stirrups gave the Huns the advantage over their enemy. Attila realizes that he needs the 'belief' of the kings he has conquered not just their 'obedience' and this makes him such a respected ruler; his expressive gestures reveal his strong emotions through fine intuitive acting. Attila's characteristic penetrating gaze allows no further discussion when he considers the matter to be closed.
The women of the villages fought as fiercely as their men when their villages were attacked. The great Attila is amazed when a feisty, red-haired women, N'Kara/Ildico (Simmone Jade Mackinnon) tears his shirt with her sword and he orders her to be saved and taken as a slave; his unexpectedness kindness is revealed when he spares the surviving members of her family. The two brothers Attila and Bleda (Tommy Flanagan) hate each other and Bleda chooses N'Kara as his share of the spoils of war to spite Attila. The impish Galen (Pauline Lynch) is a free-spirited young woman whose visions guide Attila towards his future as a great king. Attila courts the woman he loves with disarming frankness and their passionate love creates romantic magic.
Honoria (Kirsty Mitchell) reveals the plight of women at that time to Attila. She tells him that her brother Valentinian is chosen to rule because he is a man and that brains don't do a woman much good. Honoria is infatuated with Attila who finds her pleasing, and, 'what else is there to say of a woman!'
The powerful Roman general Flavius Aetius (Powers Boothe) loves Rome and is proud of her achievements. Aetius is a political and military strategist who manipulates Placida (Alice Krige) and her foppish son, the emperor Valentinian (Reg Rogers). Flavius admires Attila for his courage and skill and he invites Attila to visit Rome where he can learn 'how the world is ruled and because there is no one like you in Rome, no one like me here.' This foreshadows the conflict between east and west.
Atilla is an excellent ensemble film.
The Outsider (2002)
Excellent film
The Outsider (based on a novel by Penelope Williamson) A film review by Joan Mostert
The Outsider, Johnny Gault (Tim Daly), arrives as a wounded stranger in an Amish-like community and is tended by Rebecca Yoder (Naomi Watts) who is a daughter of the 'plain' people. Doc Henry (David Carradine) wonders 'what kind of marks were left on his soul' when he sees the old wounds that were inflicted on Johnny's body. Although Johnny is seen as a 'shootist' and a dark, dangerous man, Rebecca has faith in the good of people.
The 'plain' people are intolerant of strangers and Noah Weaver (Keith Carradine), who is a potential suitor, resents the stranger. It is ironic that the 'plain' people do not realize that they too are Outsiders. Hunter, the cattle baron (John Noble) tells them that his family worked the land for three generations and he will not yield. Noah resents Rebecca's independence of thought. Although she belongs to the community, she does not share their herd instinct.
Rebecca experiences transcendence when she is in harmony with nature, it is then that she hears her inner music. It is pleasant for her to see the sun while Johnny knows how to read eyes because he is a 'shootist'. Because music is forbidden by the 'plain' people, except for the singing of hymns, she does not speak of her inner music to anyone except Johnny.
Johnny is a strong, passionate man and his facial expressions reveal his inner moods of anger, love and hate. He often reveals a sense of humour when, for instance, Rebecca asks him why he is buying a horse he replies, 'because you are the one that promised that I was gonna be gone.'
The preacher and the 'plain' people do not practice what he preaches: 'he who loveth God love his brother.' They see Johnny as the Outsider, not as a 'brother' within their closed community; Johnny sees them as 'kind folk.'
Doc Henry is a perceptive man who, in his quiet, understated way, understands people. The contrast of sun and rain, light and dark during the scenes of emotional intensity underscores the drama. The fine interactions of the ensemble cast all contribute towards the excellent film which is 'truly a pleasant thing to behold.'