SimonJack
I had not heard of this BBC series until recent years, and I wasn't familiar with British author Winston Graham or his many novels that were the basis for "Poldark." But having enjoyed a number of British dramatic series ("The Barchester Chronicles," "Smiley's People," "Enemy at the Door," "Wish Me Luck"), I bought the DVD set. As with all the others, this one didn't disappoint. I don't think it can be rated with the best of British TV-cinema ("Brideshead Revisited," "Upstairs Downstairs," "Reilly: Ace of Spies"), but it is another very entertaining series. At times mysterious, at times griping, at times romantic, at times sad, "Poldark" presents a picture of life on the Cornwall Coast of England around the turn of the 19th century. About half way through the first season films, I found that I was getting involved in the story to the point of chiding a character or being dismayed at what one or another was doing or going to do. I realized then, that a series such as this had much more appeal and ability to draw me into the story and lives of the characters than would a normal movie of two hours or less. And that meant that I could see foibles and follies and similarities with the things I may have done or the way I may have acted or lived at times in the past. And, with the DVD set, I didn't have to wait one week or more between segments. I think that the more involved one becomes in a story, such as this series, the more one can identify with characters and even past experiences. And that makes the film series that much more meaningful and enjoyable. The main story thread is well known and discussed. But the series contains many sub-plots, and even smaller plots within those. It has danger, action, adventure, and thrills. It has romance, humor, death, sorrow and despair. In its course, it touches on or exposes virtually every major vice and virtue. And it explores the cardinal vices to the hilt – greed and pride. Absent any preachiness in the script itself, "Poldark" does a masterful job of showing the age-old truths of life that used to be taught to children in the homes and schools. Charity, kindness, forgiveness, sharing, helping and goodness lead to happiness. Greed, pride, anger, selfishness, lust and revenge lead to emptiness, sorrow and despair. No one person remains spotless in character, though Demelza is the closest to a living saint. Ross Poldark is a kind-hearted and good- natured person, but his pride leads him to make bad judgments; and his lust for his cousin's wife (and former sweetheart) hurts him for a time, and blinds him to the unconditional love and devotion of his wife. The greed of the Warleggen's is the most obvious of their vices, and their subsequent chicanery, dishonesty and vengeful actions just deepen their morass. They lose all integrity, civility and any sense of peace and happiness. So many other actors have wonderful parts in this series and add to the diversity of characters and experiences. The acting is superb all around. Some people have likened this series to daytime soap operas. It surely has the complexity of plots and subplots characteristic of the soaps. But "Poldark" has more than that. It has depth of the characters. It has a setting and overall theme that celebrate a culture and region of England. And it takes place during an interesting time in history that hasn't been explored a lot in films of the past. It's a most interesting and intriguing story and series. As a side note, the two-season series was based only on the first six or seven novels Graham wrote about Poldark. Apparently, the author and producers weren't able to agree on a further season or more to complete the stories of the novels. I think that's OK, because the ending is just fine as it is. I agree with others who have said "Poldark" isn't dated in its theme. Indeed, is it not evident all around us today?
gvfj
Romance, drama, Cornish history including the mining, the smugglers, shipwrecks, it has it all! I own the whole series, Poldark and Poldark 2. Just finished going through them both for the second time on video plus saw the originals on TV in the seventies. Hopefully they will appear on DVD soon.The IMDb page seemingly lists all the characters/actors, even the bit players with little or no speaking parts. Something puzzles me here: One of the more important characters was a Dr. Behenna, played by Hugh Dickson. The character appears prominently in most, if not all, episodes and his part is essential to the plot. Strangely, this character is not even mentioned by IMDb - or by Amazon. Even more strange is that a look at the IMDb page for Hugh Dickson makes no mention of his part in Poldark or Poldark 2. Anybody have an explanation?
whoster69
Poldark originally was broadcast here in the US on Masterpiece Theater. While many Masterpiece Theater Shows have been excellent, Poldark stood out as probably the best of any I have ever seen. It was amazing. A story about a man just returning from the revolutionary war to find his home and estate in ruins, the girl he loved gone and many challenges to face. Well acted and well directed this story will keep you guessing and wanting more. I can't recommend this one enough. I hope they put it on DVD soon so I can see it again and again.Note: There is also another Poldark series, Poldark II, which is a continuation of this series and tells you the rest of the story.
rilke
If you read the books first or see the series first, either is a very satisfying experience. Lovers of romantic period novels should give this series a try. If I remember correctly, the first series covers the first 3 books; the second, books 4, 5, and 6 (the titles escape me). Graham wrote more books after the first six but those have never been dramatized for movie or television. Look this up on Amazon for more user comments.
