Poldark, Series 1 (2010) Review

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(More customer reviews)I challenge anyone to watch this series and not be moved, amused, intrigued, and glued to the screen. Faithful retellings of Winston Graham's unforgettable characters, coupled with a setting that makes me feel as though I am in Cornwall in reality, make this production of POLDARK an absolutely unmissable story. I chanced upon the series years ago (I wish PBS would rerun it) and had the forethought to tape some, but not all, of the episodes. The quality of my tapes, however, is not exceptional, and I've been hoping the DVD would come along.
Robin Ellis as Ross Poldark, Angharad Rees as Demelza, Jill Townsend as Elizabeth, Ralph Bates as Warleggan, and others make this fully-fledged epic of Cornish history and the people who made that history come alive in a story at once part soap opera, part action adventure, and all wonderful. Demelza is fiery, vulnerable, intense, steadfast in her love for Ross; Ross is headstrong, volatile, proud, but highly intelligent; Warleggan is everyone's imagined perfect villain, who actually had promise at one time but now is eaten away by jealousy. Jud Paynter, played with wicked, hilarious understanding by Paul Curran, was one of the most memorable side characters in the production; he has me laughing on the floor at nearly every appearance. The interweaving of all the lives in this tale - Ross, a member of landed gentry who has the odd trait many of the overlords don't - compassion for the working class - is so intricately done that it is hard to believe they aren't the actual characters. The accents are just right (it is almost worthy of a college course to try to unravel what Jud is saying sometimes) and the heartfelt performances by everyone in the cast are amazing. This series is at the top of my list of BBC productions, and instilled a need in me to absorb every book in the series as well (many times by now). I felt almost related to the people onscreen.
If you enjoy English period histories, superbly acted and staged, I cannot recommend anything higher than this series. I am looking forward to it coming on DVD. Even dated, it rings true and fresh. Now I want to go to Cornwall.

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As seen on Masterpiece Theatre "Romantic adventure, complete with raging ambition, terrible betrayals, frustrated loves, daring deeds, and a marvelously dashing hero" —The New York TimesHailed as a British Gone with the Wind, Poldark created a sensation on PBS's Masterpiece Theatre with its dashing, romantic hero and his infamous exploits. Based on the novels by Winston Graham, this classic miniseries demonstrates the enduring appeal of a gripping storyline and unforgettable characters.Returning to Cornwall after the American Revolution, Capt. Ross Poldark (Robin Ellis, The Good Soldier) finds his life at home has fallen apart. His estate is in disarray. His former flame, Elizabeth (Jill Townsend, Cimarron Strip), is engaged to his cousin. And his family's copper mines have become targets for the Poldarks' bitter rivals. Duels, smuggling, and attempted murders unfold as Ross strives to resurrect his fortunes and find true love. This spellbinding saga dramatizes the deep rifts in British society on the brink of industrialization, played out against the rocky, ruggedly beautiful Cornish coast. 16 episodes; approx. 821 min.; 4:3 full screen; color; British drama; not rated; SDH subtitles

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Poldark Review

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(More customer reviews)All those viewers who loved the popular, epic BBC production of "Poldark", which was shown on Masterpiece Theatre in the mid to late nineteen seventies, will be more than disappointed with this film. They will be outraged. There is nothing epic about this film. The Poldark family saga is done an injustice by its very release, so very bad is it. It is with absolute justification that this film was pilloried by the critics.
While none of the same actors of the original BBC production appear in this film, and they should thank their lucky stars that they do not, the fault lies not with the actors cast in this film. Mel Martin is a credible Demelza, and John Bowe is an adequate, though uncharismatic, Ross Poldark. Unfortunately, they cannot compare to Robin Ellis and Angharad Rees in those respective roles. Ioan Gruffudd, lately of Horatio Hornblower fame, is fine as Jeremy Poldark, and Kelly Reilly gamely acts the role of Jeremy's beautiful, high spirited sister, Clowance. Michael Atwell is excellent as George Warleggan, Ross Poldark's arch enemy. Still, their innate abilities are not sufficient to overcome the poor direction, the bad screenplay, and the inartful editing of this film.
This is a film that, quite simply, should never have been released. The direction by Richard Laxton is ham handed and has all the drama of day old bread. The editing of the film leaves it incomprehensible at times. The screenplay is startling in its ineptness, as the film abruptly, though mercifully, ends with absolutely no closure of any of the story lines in the film. Perhaps, the director had high hopes that it would be continued as a sort of miniseries. If so, he was decidedly mistaken. This hellish screenplay, based upon Winston Graham's novel "Stranger From the Sea", is sure to have Winston Graham turning over in his grave over the indignity of being associated in some way with this complete travesty. Not even a viewer who loves period pieces, as I do, can sanction this mess. Do not waste your money. This film is a turkey.

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