But the situation in the country is not getting better, also not all the family members and neighbors like the idea of people from North and South being friends. When they return home, they don't give up on their friendship, their families spend summer together, their siblings falls in love, they become business partners, et cetera. After graduation, they go for a war with Mexico, where Orry gets hurt really bad, but is saved by George. In the Academy, they spend lots of time together and together make the biggest enemy Elkanah Bent (Philip Casnoff). Very soon, they become the best friends ever. Two teenage boys Orry Main (Patrick Swayze) from South Carolina and George Hazard (James Read) from Pennsylvania, meet on their way to West Point Military Academy. The show tells the saga of the Hazards of Pennsylvania and the Mains of South Carolina and their loves, hatreds, jealousies, and robust rivalry. This sweeping, star-studded epic about two powerful families before and during the Civil War is based on John Jakes' popular novels. Will war be stronger than peace of mind? May the storm and noise of canons, rifles and bullets destroy honor, respect, and true friendship? These who fought together at Churubusco will have to fight against each other. April 12, 1861, and the attack on the northern fortress Fort Sumter done by the southerners means the beginning of war. Although George and Orry badly want peace between north and south, there is no escape from the inescapable fate. Northern abolitionists demand the end of slavery while the south demands secession and separation from the 'damn Yankees'. Years pass by and the relations between north and south are not that calm as in the past. Their love cannot be fulfilled, and they only meet in secret. Yet, the love of Orry's life, Madeline gets married to Justin LaMotte (David Carradine), the rich cruel owner of a nearby plantation in South Carolina. A few years later, the friendship of Orry and George spread to the friendship of their families, the Mains from South Carolina and the Hazards from Pennsylvania. in the Mexican War at Churubusco, where George saves Orry's life. From that time, Orry and George are best friends and help each other at every moment, they fight for the U.S. On his way northwards, in very strange circumstances, he meets two people who will play a decisive role in his life: beautiful lady Madeline Fabray (Leslie-Anne Down), who Orry helps and with whom he falls in love, and a 'Yankee', George Hazard (James Read), by whom Orry is helped, and who is also on his way to West Point Academy.

A South Carolinian young man, Orry Main (Patrick Swayze), leaves his rich home for West Point Academy. Two friends, one northern and one southern, struggle to maintain their friendship as events build towards the American Civil War.ДЎ842, a special summer day at the huge plantation of Mont Royal.

North and south summary