North and South

One of my top three favorite historical dramas, this movie contrasts England's Southern agricultural countryside with her Northern industrial cities (no, it is NOT a Civil War movie). Valuing commitment to one's principles, it tells of Margaret Hale's father leaving the complacent South over a "matter of conscience"; and of John Thornton risking bankruptcy because he doesn't believe in "speculating." Throughout it all, Margaret urges everyone to listen to the other's point of view and face each other man to man (not master to worker; not accused to accuser; not rich to poor).

Similar in plot to Pride and Prejudice, many men prefer this over other historical movies set in this period because the hero is shown working hard, not drinking tea and playing cards.