Robin Ellis as Ross Poldark
In Italy it was broadcast in 1978 and I still remember how excited I was waiting for a new episode! And I can't forget my teenage crush on Ross Poldark in his elegant breeches and coat, but especially on young doctor Enys. How young I was myself at that time and already in love with everything English. I usually don't like watching period series from the 70s, I find them so freak, awkward. I can't cope with the old shooting techniques or the unnatural , melodramatic acting style they propose. But, was my nostalgic mood forgiving all the flaws or was this series quite good, instead? I think it was, it still is a very good period drama. You must of course bear the grain quality so different from the HD quality images we are accustomed to these days.
Angharad Rees as Demelza
Anyway, it was so good to re-watch this series again after such a long time and after watching so many other costume series. It made me love it even more, flaws included. I bet anyone loving period drama will appreciate this long-running series (now available in a 4 disc - set) and would be amused, intrigued and moved by Captain Poldark's adventures.
The story in series 1
Brooding country gentleman Ross Poldark (Robin Ellis), an officer of the British army which just lost the War of Independence with the American colonies, returns home in Cornwall, where he realizes that everyone believes he was killed in the war. Arriving at Nampara, the Poldark family estate, Ross is shocked to find it almost a ruin, with lazy drunkard servants Jud Paynter (Paul Curran) and his wife Prudie (Mary Wimbush) living in that squalid place. Even more distressing is the news from his friend and lawyer Nathaniel Pearce (John Baskcomb) that Ross' uncle, Charles Poldark (Frank Middlemass), believing he is the heir to his nephew's estate, intends to sell one of the two Poldark copper mines to his enemy Nicholas Warleggan (Nicholas Selby), a grasping social climber from the emerging mercantile class.
Richard Morant as Dr Dwight Enys
Even more troubling is Ross' discovery that his fiancé, Elizabeth (Jill Townsend), believing Ross dead, has fallen in love with Ross' cousin, Francis Poldark (Clive Francis), a weak-willed drunkard youngman who resents not only Ross' drive and ambition but his past with Elizabeth. Ross vows to win the haughty Elizabeth back, but his pursuit is complicated by the appearance of 13-year-old Demelza (Angharad Rees), a petty thief and commoner that Ross rescues one day and brings home to work as his servant. Add to this , one or two other love stories (the one between Dr Dwight Enys and pretty heiress Caroline Penvenen, interpreted by Richard Morant and Judy Geeson, for instance) , a complex set of circumstances, personal and family fortunes won and lost, the eternal struggle between the working class and the rich, smuggling and crimes of passion and illicit affairs, deadly duels and comical sketches and you start to get an idea of what an extraordinary drama Poldark is.
At the end of series 1 both male heroes, Dwight Enys and Ross Poldark, are leaving to join the the Royal Navy and Army respectively. The closing scene is, however, full of hope:
"It won't last forever. Nothing is forever. Take it while we can. Live it. Fight it. Laugh at it."
"What, Ross, what?"
"Take whatever life gives and call it ours. What anger. What chance. What love. What happiness."
Now the question is... do I want to see series 2? I can't wait, in fact!
The TV series was based on The Poldark Novels by Winston Graham
Watch one of my favorite scenes in this clip
