49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE DYNASTIC SAGA CONTINUES..., April 22, 2003
This review is from: Poldark 2 [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Those of you who have already seen the first set of six tapes need no introduction to this wonderful Masterpiece Theatre series. In existence for over a quarter of a century, time has not diminished the capacity of this series to entertain. This is simply a first rate period piece, set in late eighteenth century Cornwall. It focuses on Ross Poldark, scion of a well known Cornish family and a member of the established gentry, and his wife, the base born Demelza. Be prepared to be glued to your television for the twelve hours it takes for this six video boxed set to tell their mesmerizing story.
Poldark's rival and arch enemy, George Warleggan, is now married to Poldark's childhood sweetheart Elizabeth, widow of Poldark's first cousin, Francis. Warleggan will stop at nothing to ensure the continued ascendancy of the house of Warleggan and the destruction of the Poldarks. Family ties that bind both may serve to join their houses, but George Warleggan intervenes cruelly, consigning others to years of unhappiness. Meanwhile, politics also plays its part, and Ross Poldark and George Warleggan find themselves battling for political power.
Meanwhile, Poldark's good friend, Dr. Enys, marries Caroline, the woman of his dreams, a beautiful and gloriously rich heiress. Ross and Elizabeth have a fateful meeting, one that threatens the sanctity of his home with Demelza and fuels George Warleggan's insecurities over his wife's affections, as well as his hatred of Ross Poldark. Of course, Demelza has had enough of Poldark's mooning over the icy Elizabeth, and when a young naval officer sweeps her off his feet, Demelza's resistance is at an all time low.
As the eighteenth century comes to a close, the Poldarks and the Warleggans have undergone many changes and weathered many adversities. Ross Poldark continues to be a proud and stalwart man, bemused by his newly realized love for his feisty wife, Demelza. George Warleggan, alone and embittered by finding out too late what he should have known all along, has yet to put an end to the rivalry that has fueled so much hatred and enmity. The trials and tribulations of these two competing dynasties will have the viewer riveted to the screen.
Robin Ellis as Ross Poldark, Angharad Rees as Demelza, Jill Townsend as Elizabeth, and Robert Bates as George Warleggan are superlative in their respective roles. Judy Geeson is magnificent as the independent heiress, Caroline. Unfortunately, Dr. Enys is no longer played by the charismatic Richard Morant. Instead, Michael Cadman takes over the role and, while competent, is not as romantically charismatic as his predecessor. Eileen Way also gives a very notable performance as Poldark's elderly Aunt Agatha. Kevin McNally gives a very moving performance as Demelza's brother Drake, whose romance with Morwenna, Elizabeth Warleggan's cousin, is star crossed due to the interference of George Warleggan. The rest of the supporting cast is, likewise, top notch.
This second set of six videos is every bit as captivating as the first set of six, leaving the viewer wanting more. Bravo!
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28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent series, April 16, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Poldark 2 [VHS] (VHS Tape)
'Poldark' (with its continuation in 'Poldark 2') is an excellent series. The passionate, turbulent life of the Poldarks echoes a stormy time in Europe. The close of the 18th century and the Napoleonic wars introduced new theories in man's relationship with mankind, sometimes with violent results. The closest comparison I can make regarding content and scope is 'War and Peace'.
The first series, `Poldark', starts with a British soldier, Ross Poldark, returning from the American Revolution to find his father dead, his estate run-down and his sweetheart, Elizabeth engaged to his cousin. `Poldark' continues with the introduction of Demelza (the kitchen wench Poldark marries), the growing antipathy between Ross and George Warleggan, and the introduction of Dr Enys and his highborn love Carolyn Penvenen. It ends with the start of the French Revolution across the English Channel.
`Poldark 2' continues the story as Ross Poldark and friends stage a desperate raid to free prisoners of war in France, growing stresses on the marriage of Ross and Demelza, the suspicion of George Warleggan that his oldest child is actually the offspring of Ross Poldark, and the budding love of Demelza's brother for a niece of George Warleggan.
If you don't already have `Poldark', get it. Once you see it, you'll be compelled to find out what happens in `Poldark 2'!
And no - `Poldark 2' is not a retelling of `Poldark'. Just make sure you are sticking with the 1978 series for both sets.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
As Grand As The First Series, September 23, 2002
This review is from: Poldark 2 [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Poldark 2 continues the story of Ross, Demelza, Elizabeth, and George through the next three volumes of Winston Graham's series set in eighteenth century Cornwall. We continue to see the tension, both personally and in business, between Ross Poldark and his nemesis George Warleggan. Several very appealing characters join the cast, most notably Morwenna Chynoweth, cousin of Elizabeth who falls in love with Demelza's younger brother Drake Carne.
This series is beautifully shot in Cornwall and, even though it is over twenty five years old, still holds up well. This series ends tragically, with little room left for more sequels. That's a pity, because Graham continued his Poldark saga well into the nineteenth century, focussing on the next generations of Poldarks and Warleggans. Maybe someday we can see Poldark 3!
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