Poldark 1 (6 VHS Boxed Set)

This is a first rate period piece, set in late eighteenth century Cornwall. It focuses on Ross Poldark, scion of a well known Cornish family. He is a member of the established gentry and a gentleman. Having been gone from Cornwall for a time to fight against the colonists, he returns battle scarred only to find that his father has died and left the family estate in ruins and in debt. He also finds that the love of his life, Elizabeth, believing that Ross had been killed in battle, has become engaged to his first cousin, Francis Poldark. He also discovers to his dismay that the upstart but wealthy Warleggan family, for whom Poldark has no love, is trying to buy the Poldark family mine. This mightily upsets Ross, as the Poldarks represent old money and the established gentry, while the Warleggans represent new money and are social upstarts.

As Ross Poldark tries to rebuild his estate and family fortune, he takes in a red headed, feisty, young street urchin who turns out to be a hoyden with the unlikely name of Demelza. Firmly ensconcing herself on the Poldark estate, she helps Poldark rebuild his estate, scrubbing. cleaning, all while falling in love with the brooding Ross, as he moons for Elizabeth and fends off the Warleggans who appear to conspire to ruin Poldark at every turn. A night of passion, however, finally finds Poldark looking at Demelza with new eyes, and his sense of honor compels him to marry her, little knowing that he would be getting the bargain of his life in doing so.

This is the story of Ross Poldark and Demelza, their families and friends, their loves and enemies. It is a story of sweeping proportions and a fine dynastic saga. It is also a story of the intense rivalry between the Poldarks and the Warleggans, a rivalry that would pit the scions of each of these families, Ross Poldark and George Warleggan, in a life long personal battle that nearly destroys them both. Based upon a series of books by Winston Graham, the Poldark series does honor to the author's work.

Robin Ellis is outstanding as the honorable, though brooding, Ross Poldark. When the viewer first sees him, the viewer wonders what on earth all the fuss is about. Within minutes, however, the viewer finds oneself half falling in love with his character. Angharad Rees is delightful as the feisty, impish little red head and is guaranteed to win the heart of every viewer. Robert Bates gives an affecting performance as Poldark's enemy, George Warleggan, a despicable yet, at the same time, curiously touching, individual. Jill Townsend is appropriately cool and aloof as the ever unattainable Elizabeth of Ross' dreams. Richard Morant gives a stellar performance as the kind and compassionate Dr. Enys, a close friend of Ross Poldark. The rest of the supporting cast is also quite strong and contributes to the success of this tale of romance and adventure in the Cornish countryside.

This is a video set well worth having in one's personal collection. Bravo!


Excellent PBS series that is vastly under-rated   February 18, 1999
blewis@internetx.net (South Carolina, USA)
41 out of 43 found this review helpful

The Poldark series is vastly under-rated and in my opinion is easily the best Masterpiece Theatre series ever produced. The time period is 1780's to 1790's set in Cornwall. The scenery is magnificent and the acting is very well accomplished - with social stratification for the period intact. Capt Poldark is returning to Britain after being captured and reported to be killed in the "Colonial Wars" in America. He returns "as if from the dead" to find his former fiance now married to another man, his father dead, and sole inheritor of a family estate in great disrepair.

To make some sort of life is the task set before him. I assume that his experience with the "freedoms" in the colonies has embued him with a certain desire to try to provide a sense of social justice in his dealings with the tenants on his land and others of different social strata.

The whole story is a marvelous window back in time to a previous era in Britain, prior to the Napoleonic Wars. It is truely well worth the price for this series.


An Astonishing, Largely Unknown Series   July 18, 2000
Robert M. Collette (Falls Church, VA United States)
28 out of 30 found this review helpful

This excellent series was first broadcast on Masterpiece Theater back in 1975 and is based on the novels by Winston Graham. It plays out much like an 18th Century soap opera. Ross Poldark (Robin Ellis) is the story's central character; after being injured during the Revolutionary War, he returns to his home in England (Cornwall). What he discovers ignites a chain of events that is brilliantly designed to grab and hold the viewer's attention until the very end. You do not need an elaborate understanding of England's history during this time-period to follow or enjoy the Poldark series...it is no more than an countless string of captivating subplots complete with daring rescues and dangerous liaisons, each carefully woven to support but never overshadow the story's crux: a complex, intricate love triangle that would stupefy Pythagoras himself.

Overall, I found the series to be more entertaining than Graham's books, which at times were slow and uninvolving. However, the story does not end with Poldark 2: Graham continues the saga with several more books (including "The Loving Cup," which is currently out of print), but alas, except for "Stranger from the Sea," these were never adapted to the small screen. If nothing else, I suggest you watch the series to get to know Demelza (Angharad Rees), one of the most stunningly beautiful women I have ever seen.


Poldark   January 24, 2004
23 out of 23 found this review helpful

This is a wonderful series. I own both Poldark I and Poldark II in VHS. One reviewer from Australia indicates that it is now available on DVD down under. PLEASE release this on DVD in the US -- and hopefully not edited as the VHS edition was.


Poldark   July 19, 2000
Janet C. Johnston (Newbury, MA USA)
19 out of 24 found this review helpful

This is a fantastic series, both set 1 and 2. The story and characters appeal to both men and women. Most people will watch it all the way through the first time. Period details are great. I read all the books after watching the series and was not disappointed in any way. The casting was absolutely true to the books. Jed is a character that just has to be seen to be believed. You will find yourself watching these multiple times. A very good investment.