Customer Reviews

Poldark, Series 1

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

Regarding the new release of Poldark, Series 1, I hope the visual quality is up to the original broadcast standard. When on PBS, Poldark appeared to have been filmed on video tape, that is to say, very much like daytime soap shows, very clear and lifelike, given the TV definition quality of the time.
I own a complete set of DVDs Series 1 and 2, that was produced (legally licensed) by an Ebay seller. The episodes are wonderful, but unfortunately, the visual quality is poor, as the DVDs were made by transferring VHS episodes to disc.
With this NEW distribution of Poldark Series 1, I am hoping the DVDs have been created as remastered from the original tapes (and possibly enhanced) so that the visual quality will be much higher.
For anyone not aware of Poldark, the series is indeed unique and is among the finest of shows ever brought to television. All I can say is that few small or large screen movies or series even approach it in its impact on one's memory. A magnificent series, superb cast, great drama, youthful exuberance, deeply affecting, and characters so powerfully developed that one cannot forget them... Ever!
If there is one TV series that I would have liked to author or work on, it would be Poldark.

UPDATE: December 23, 2009
I ordered this set directly from Acorn Media at a higher price; it arrived last evening. I'm very happy to report that the DVD picture quality is much better than that of the DVDs I'd purchased from the Ebay seller. The picture is CLEAR and just as it was when first broadcast on PBS. If you like Poldark, then THIS is the DVD set to buy! Highly Recommended. BTW, you'll save about $[...] if you wait for Amazon to have it available. [...] is the producer (Acorn Media) so they have exclusive distribution until March 2010.

Count me in! I too have been waiting forever for this series to make its appearance. It's the kind of romantic swashbuckling entertainment they don't make any more. Hooray!!! Can't wait for Series 2 to be announced.

Get swept into the 18th century amidst the gentry & poor of a romantic saga from TV CLASSICS. The DVD series (originally BBC, PBS) was based on the 13-book Poldark series (1945-2002) by Winston Graham, explaining the saga length. Of course only a fraction of the books are included, but what a stellar delight the film version is--and its historical enchantment is timeless. It has been ranked among the all-time top-10 of Masterpiece Theatre, making it a "masterpiece" in itself.

There is suspense and drama in abundance throughout this 16-episode DVD version of "POLDARK". Many would call it romance due to the ongoing relationships involved in families. Others consider it primarily historical drama due to its period artistry in costuming, sets, and dialogue. Yes there is the temptation to also list it under documentary, because of the Cornwall location and the picturesque travelogue-like camera vistas constantly across the screen. Of course being the 1700s, post American Revolutionary War, it's a bit of time travel, very realistically done footage.

Ross Poldark (Robin Ellis) returns to Cornwall (extreme SW England) to rebuild a life on the Nampara estate. Lover Elizabeth (Jill Townsend) thinking Ross killed, is spoken for by Ross' cousin. Demelza (Angharad Rees) a street-wise rag-a-muffin offers to undress for a coin. Thus the saga begins. There are financial struggles, shipwreck, family situations, fights, smuggling, murders, fires, babies, dances, and all the assorted 18th century attributes of a saga. This DVD set covers only 2 generations, not counting babies born and lost.
___Favorite quote from this DVD set: "It be a hard life, Captain. Thank God it do last no longer than a lifetime, or I couldn't live through it." Jud.

With a series this significant, there are always comparisons. Adventures at "Nampara" remind me of Glenbogle in "Monarch of the Glen." Cross-class romance is also similar, as is the struggle of keeping the estate. But Scottish Highlands' Monarch had decades to learn from the success of rocky coastal Poldark, so we see which was the chicken and which the egg. A year earlier "The Pallisers" proved another great British political/family/sage hit. It is similar in character driven strength and accuracy to the details of the past, including scenery, costumes, and the like. Perhaps another later comparison would be with "The Barchester Chronicles", which like "Pallisers" was an Anthony Trollope book adoption. "The Adams Chronicles" is the American comparison to "Poldark", 18th century lives, history, and struggles among those who HAVE compared to those without. But it also followed the "Poldark" success, so this DVD is a leader in this grand sort of romantic historical saga miniseries which holds a full larder of suspense, mystery, adventure, triumph, and loss. [All comparison DVDs are highly recommended viewing. Search for them.]

821 min. of CLASSIC MASTERPIECE THEATRE AT ITS BRITISH FINEST.
Casting is fabulous which you will see in BONUS filmographies, as well as a DVD feature giving historical background for Cornwall, England.
SUBTITLES are provided, nice for learning names and spellings, or for the hearing needs, but the dialogue, although spoken with accents to we "American colony" folk, is quite understandable.

Excellent transfer to DVD. Only one problem...although this 16-episode series ends well, and concludes the series satisfactorily, another Series 2 was aired on TV. After watching this set, the wait for "Poldark Series 2" will be bloody difficult.

It was nice to watch the series again. Way back when, I saw the second series first. So with this video set, I am able to start at the beginning, which makes for a better experience. What is not better, though, is the video quality. It is the poorest DVD I have ever seen. Think of recording snowy PBS stations over the air, and you get the idea. Outdoor scenes suffer the worst from snow, dark images, and general fuzziness. It's like someone took a poor-quality VHS dub from the 1970s, and merely transferred the video without any effort to improve things. What an embarassment to an otherwise classic story.

As seen on PBS's "Masterpiece Theatre", Poldark Series 1 is the complete first season on DVD of the television series based on the novels by Winston Graham. Set in Britain shortly after the American Revolution, Poldark follows the Captain Ross Poldark, who has returned home to find his estate in shambles, the love of his life engaged to his cousin, and his family's copper mines on the verge of being seized by his rivals. As Poldark seeks both to reclaim his fortune and rediscover true love, he encounters murder, danger, and intrigue. A dramatic portrayal of the strict divisions of historical British society as well as a captivating character portrait and an enthralling adventure, Poldark Series 1 is highly recommended. 16 episodes, 821 min on 4 DVDs, full screen, SDH subtitles.

This has always been my all-time BBC favorite series. Winston Graham's characters are delightful and his knowledge of Cornwall and it's history is outstanding. Graham wrote a wonderful series of books that were made into these Series 1 and 2. These DVD are not to be missed. Those that have see the series and read his books will be able to enjoy the story once again and those to whom this is new are in for a new and enjoyable experience that is not to be missed.

Phaedra

I know this series well. I saw it for the first time when it was broadcast on Masterpiece Theater back in the 70s, and then I videotaped it when it was re-broadcast in the early 80s. I've watched it so many times that the tapes are worn out and I can recite the dialogue. I was thrilled to find the series finally produced in DVD. They are the real deal. Unlike the boxed VHS sets, the episodes are reproduced in their entirety (some scenes in the VHS were cut down or deleted entirely). The DVDs are pretty basic - the 16 episodes, subtitles (very handy for understanding some of that tricky Cornish dialogue) and standard playback options (individual episodes, continuous, or scene to scene). The quality of the video is decent considering how long ago they were filmed but certainly nothing like today's high def productions. The "extras" are not that special and for this reason the DVD earns only 4 stars instead of 5. The actor filmographies and Cornwall feature are just text and not interactive. Some actor interviews, Cornwall video, map of key film locations, etc., would have been nice additions. Even without those, fans can enjoy well-produced episodes of Poldark. Thanks, Acorn Media!

I have been trying for years now to get PBS to rerun the entire Poldark series. I can hardly wait to finally be able to see this excellent BBC production again. I have read all of Winston Graham's "Poldark" books and listened to the audio books but....this movie production is just top of the line!

Oh, how I've waited to see POLDARK again! It's like meeting old friends again after a long, long separation.

Yes, the LOOK of the series will seem somewhat dated, but the visual quality of the DVD is high, particularly in the outdoor scenes. (Cornwall is so photogenic.)

This historical drama has everything: romance, intrigue, comedy, and even swashbuckling action. Ross Poldark (Robin Ellis) is an unusually enlightened man for one of his class and time. He is also a very complex hero, unable to rid himself of a youthful dream in the person of his first love Elizabeth (Jill Townsend). Back from fighting for the British in the American Revolution, he returns to find Elizabeth engaged to his own cousin, his father dead and business affairs a mess. Then there is Demelza (the lovely and charming Angharad Rees) a young girl Ross rescues from poverty. Demelza, honest, fiery, loyal and goodhearted, offers Ross the chance at love and happiness withheld by the cold and haughty Elizabeth, though the foolish man of course continues to pine for his old flame.

Where would a story like this be without outstanding villains? The Warleggans are of low birth but have great wealth. The son George (played to perfection by the late Ralph Bates) envies and covets all that the Poldarks have. The cool Machiavellian moves of the Warleggans contrast with the hot temper and emotional choices of Ross, which often threaten to undo him. While the Warleggans are ruthless and uncaring about the lower classes, Ross sacrifices to help the poor miners and tenants who live on his land. And then there are the conflicts within Ross' own family, which are colored by his unresolved feelings for Elizabeth and used by the Warleggans to their advantage.

All this takes place against a backdrop of societal revolution, both in England and abroad. The series goes to great pains to contrast the lifestyles of the rich with the poor, while showing the strengths and flaws of both worlds. My favorite examples are a bizarre wake for one of the poor characters, an impromptu trial for someone who betrayed the villagers, and a particularly hedonistic party for the upper class characters.

Watch one episode, I guarantee you'll be hooked!