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128 of 131 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME..., June 16, 2002
This review is from: Poldark (DVD)
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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75 of 77 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Awful 90s version., October 29, 2000
This review is from: Poldark (DVD)
If you know and love the original 1975-1977 TV series (shown on PBS in America), then you'll hate this new dreadful version. None of the brilliant actors from the classic BBC production took part in this mess, and it was justly despised by all fans and slammed by most UK critics. The warmth and charm such talented actors like Robin Ellis (as the title character), Angharad Rees, Ralph Bates, Clive Francis and Judy Geeson put into the original series is totally missing here. If you want faultless performances, theater-like atmosphere and good quality television (mostly filmed on videotape, except for the outdoor scenes), then you're best advised to wait for BBC to release the whole original series on DVD (soon please !!!) or stick with your good old VHS.
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41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Hellish!, November 25, 2003
By A Customer
OK, I admit I'm a fan of the orginal but, being aware that the original cast were not involved I approached this with an open mind. I came away with one burning question. Had any of the casting department actually read any of the books??? The saving grace could have been the presence of Fiona Victory. In the (much lamented) absence of Judy Geeson, she could have made a very credible Caroline Enys. I have seen Ms Victory in other roles and know that she could have brought the right qualitites to the role. However, she was prevented from doing that by the dreadful screenplay. In short, my advice is stick to the books or buy the BBC series. This production bore no relation to the books and, had it not bore the Poldark name, I would never have made the connection.
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