ABOVE AVERAGE

When we meet the Mains and Hazards again, the Northern and Southern families are pitted against each other as the Civil War unfolds; the miniseries takes us through it.

Elaborate, vivid and very entertaining, this first-rate soap offers extravagant battle sequences, thoroughly dedicated leading actors (as well as a few glorified cameos from the likes of James Stewart and Olivia de Havilland), mountains of heartbreak, and sex in all shapes – used as an instrument of passion, power and punishment.

Through it all remains the steadfast friendship between Orry and George. Historical accuracy also remains a real ambition, at least.

1986-U.S. 570 min. Color. Directed by Kevin Connor. Teleplay: Douglas Heyes, Richard Fielder. Novel: John Jakes. Music: Bill Conti. Cast: Patrick Swayze (Orry Main), James Read (George Hazard), Lesley-Anne Down (Madeline Fabray), Wendy Kilbourne, Kirstie Alley, Terri Garber, David Carradine, Jean Simmons, Morgan Fairchild, Forest Whitaker, Hal Holbrook, Lloyd Bridges… James Stewart, Olivia de Havilland, Linda Evans, Wayne Newton, Kurtwood Smith, Bryan Cranston. 

Trivia: Originally shown in six episodes. Followed by Heaven & Hell: North and South, Book III (1994).