Patrick Swayze's acting - North and South (1985) Discussion

G-d no, I believe this was his best role, and he was amazing as Orry.

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The trouble is while he is good in his scenes George his scenes with Madeline are painful and akward they don't act remotely in love and have no chemistry.It's too bad because in that sense I think he was miscast although Patrick and James make the friendship of George and Orry beliviable with all it's ups and downs.

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[–] kikaymachine 17 years ago

Makaveli01. You're right. Patrick Swayze is a terrible over-actor.

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[–] somarka 16 years ago

Yeah very true

like the snot Scene

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[–] achn2b 11 years ago

Watching this on Encore, I noticed that, and almost laughed. He blew a huge gob of snot into his palm while he was sobbing uncontrollably.

I wonder what it was like when they cut filming of that scene, he must have been laughing hysterically.

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[–] angmc43 11 years ago

No, he was suffering from a cold during filming. Despite the snot, I thought his emotional breakdown convincing.

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[–] scootergirl9988 8 years ago

Or because of it. Anyone who has ever been in the throes of uncontrollable grief knows that one doesn't stop to make sure their tears are tidy...unless one is English.

Nothing is more ill bred than trying to steal the affections of someone else's dog.

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[–] Prelude (1443) 6 years ago

I agree -- I was impressed by the snot!! That is actually true-to-life if you are really, really distressed and weeping severely. They never usually show that kind of snotty crying in movies and TV, as an actor usually can't produce it anyway. It adds a lot of realism when it does occur.

I though that was his best scene.

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[–] InkSlinger1231 16 years ago

I'm in the process of reading the books (just recently finished the first one) and I think he's keeping true to the character. His portrayal is exactly the way the character acts in the book. So in that respect while some of it might be a little uncomfortable, I totally by it.

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[–] zeeboe82 16 years ago

He is a wonderful actor and his performance in North and South is my personal favorite.

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[–] heartsAfire 16 years ago

I thought he made a great southern gent, it's his best acting to date. He pretty much carried the entire series.

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[–] amazonprince71 16 years ago

I disagree that he carried the series as there were so many talented cast members...James Read, Kirstie Alley, Genie Francis, Jean Simmons, Wendy Kilbourne, Leslie Anne Down, Olivia Cole, David Carradine, Lewis Smith, Erica Gimpel, ...etc, etc....but I do think this is his best acting to date. He was excellent in this series.

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[–] somarka 15 years ago

he didnt make the accent, it is his accent, he is southern. maybe he had to change the way its done for that particular state, but mate, its his accent

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] bellas4 15 years ago

I thought he was wonderful, he was very believable in my opinion, and that's all I really want in an actor. To believe he is the character he is portraying. Snot flying and all, we aren't all pretty when we cry, and neither was he, I BELIEVED he was in pain in that scene. I loved it.

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[–] rodvince 15 years ago

Although I think this was Swayze's best performance, still, he was overshadowed by James Read, David Carradine, Kirstie Alley and Hal Holbrook (Lincoln).

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[–] megsnow_83 15 years ago

Patrick swayze is a great actor this is his best role.he is the reason why the series was a success i can't imagine it without him.he has a great chemistry with madeline.i love this series because of him.hazard seemed more settled than main.main had alot of drama in his life , he was hurt in battle and lost the love of his life, truly a great story, i love north and south since i was a child all my family love it when we first saw it on television. patrick swayze i love you so much you are a great actor, all the cast was great too.in my point of view north and south is flawless .

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[–] Kelea7 14 years ago

Personally I believe this was his best performance, and definitely his most believable. And no I'm not saying this because he passed. Which I still can't wrap my head around. I saw this series a few years ago and just couldn't believe how much I enjoyed it. I think Swayze is a good actor and of course he was overly dramatic, the whole series was, that was the point. I could point out a few actors with less than decent performances in this but for the most part everyone was good.

Not to be superficial but man was he gorgeous in this. I grew up watching him but never thought about his looks until I got older. So no, I'm not basing this on how good he looks in this.

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[–] cosmogirly 14 years ago

this is my favourite of Patrick Swayze's movie/roles. I think he's brilliant as Orry Maine. Actually, i think everyone does a marvellous job.

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[–] debiler 14 years ago

I have to agree with one of the previous posters. His friendship with George was very believable, to the point where it moves me to tears. But his romance with Madeleine was totally awkward. Especially the kissing! What was he doing? He was all over the place. My guess is that he didn't really click with Ms. Down.

___________________________________
I didn't like the Godfather, so what?

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[–] singingstarlet 14 years ago

I hate to speak ill of the dead, but he had more passion and chemestry in the early scenes with Virgilia than with Madeline. His love scenes with Madeleine almost seemed juvenille and chaste.

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[–] DianneBellmont 14 years ago

Juv. and chaste because he was trying to be a gentleman, and gentle and hold back. When Orry's father dies and he is crying with his mother, those were real tears. He did good. Now to chemistry w/ Madalynn, he was in awe of her and always tring to hold back his emothions. Believeable to me.

*The shape-shifter is in and will take your calls now.

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[–] leggycat-1 13 years ago

I agree. He had better scenes and mor chemistry with Kirstie Alley (Virgilia) and his scenes with James Read (George) were very authentic. I've read that they actually bonded on set and became close. The "snot" scene with Orry and Brett (Genie Francis) was an amazing scene, and they seemed to work hard at making it believable. It was a transformative moment for both characters and you do see that.

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