Ross Poldark returns to Cornwall from fighting against the Americans in the Revolutionary War to find his father dead, economic conditions bad, the Wheal Leisure mine nearly exhausted, the family's residence in a ruinous condition, and his true love Elizabeth, who had thought him dead, engaged to his cousin, Francis. And this triangle becomes a quadrangle, because Elizabeth is also the object of banker George Warleggan's affections. Tension between Poldark and the Warleggan family also arises from the fact that the Warleggans, although descendants of illiterate blacksmiths, often employ their considerable financial power against Poldark. Francis' sister Verity appears destined to become an old maid. And Ross's servants, Jud and Prudie, have been raising chickens in the living room and sampling libations from the family wine cellar. After rescuing what he believes is a young lad who is being beaten by an angry merchant, Ross discovers that the "lad" is actually a destitute teenage girl, Demelza. Thus, as there are three men in Elizabeth's life, there are two women in Ross's life.
The Poldark saga is based on the novels of Winston Graham. Graham spent many years in Cornwall and was evidently fascinated by its history. From 1945 to 2002, he published 12 novels about the adventures of the Poldark family from 1783 to 1820. Graham conducted extensive research in Cornish history. And his books reflect his knowledge of mining, and local customs, notably the tradition of collective action in smuggling, rioting (the riot in episode 5 may have been inspired by an actual riot in Truro over corn prices), dealing with ship wrecks, and punishing informers. In general, Graham's sympathies are with the common people, although he finds worthy and unworthy persons in all classes.
Several Poldark novels were brought to the screen in the 1970s—the first four volumes (1783 -1793) in Series I, and volumes 5 – 7 (1794 – 1799) in Series II. Two decades later, an attempt was made to film the events in volume 8 (1810-1811), but this effort met a somewhat unfavorable reception—those who had not seen Series I and II did not know the history of the Poldarks, and those who had seen the previous Series did not accept the changes in the cast. A new Poldark series is currently being telecast in the U.S. by PBS.
The 1970s version was filmed in location in Cornwall. In it we see filthy miners in dimly lit mines, and the gentry socializing and dancing in collars, frilly cuffs and powdered wigs. The domestic scenes were filmed in Cornish houses and farms; the mine scenes in the Levant Mine, with filming guided by advice from the Camborne School of Mines.
The casting in Series I and II was extremely effective. As Ross Poldark, Robin Ellis captures the hero's courage, loyalties, strong emotions, impulsiveness, and occasional willingness to break the law. He is more comfortable around the common people than around the gentry; and he informs an Anglican clergyman that North American Indians are "often more Christian than we." Angharad Rees was an excellent choice for the role of Demelza, who gradually transforms herself from an unwashed, uneducated, and undisciplined pickpocket into a lady. But Demelza (who may be based on Graham's real life wife) is never entirely accepted by society—and her loyalties are to her people, who are "poor, ignorant and rough, but at least they're honest." Jill Townsend, with an improbable resume that includes a number of American television westerns, is effective as Elizabeth. Even the minor characters, such as the dissolute neighbor Sir Hugh Bodrugan, the loquacious banker Pascoe, and the absent-minded solicitor Pearce, have distinctive personalities. Especially noteworthy is Paul Curran, whose portrayal of Jud—fond of liquor but averse to work, missing various teeth, but never lacking explanations for delaying tasks, or assigning them to someone else—brings a touch of levity to many scenes.
The newest version of Poldark features more imaginative filming techniques, especially panoramic shots and views of figures walking or riding along the horizon. But its casting is more conventional, and the differences between the characters are less pronounced. In particular, Eleanor Tomlinson is less credible as Demelza—a motherless waif who has been sleeping rough and stealing food to stay alive—than Angharad Rees. And Philip Davis' performance as Jud lacks the antic humor that Paul Curran brought to this role in the earlier version. But Heida Reed, as Elizabeth, bears a strong resemblance to Jill Townsend. Casting is a matter of personal preference—if you believe that some performances by members of the 1970s Poldark cast were "over the top," you may be happier with the performances of the current cast.
If you are ever in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, you can visit the Pendarvis Historic Site to see how Cornish miners lived, and patronize local restaurants to sample pasties and figgyhobbin.
The Poldark saga is based on the novels of Winston Graham. Graham spent many years in Cornwall and was evidently fascinated by its history. From 1945 to 2002, he published 12 novels about the adventures of the Poldark family from 1783 to 1820. Graham conducted extensive research in Cornish history. And his books reflect his knowledge of mining, and local customs, notably the tradition of collective action in smuggling, rioting (the riot in episode 5 may have been inspired by an actual riot in Truro over corn prices), dealing with ship wrecks, and punishing informers. In general, Graham's sympathies are with the common people, although he finds worthy and unworthy persons in all classes.
Several Poldark novels were brought to the screen in the 1970s—the first four volumes (1783 -1793) in Series I, and volumes 5 – 7 (1794 – 1799) in Series II. Two decades later, an attempt was made to film the events in volume 8 (1810-1811), but this effort met a somewhat unfavorable reception—those who had not seen Series I and II did not know the history of the Poldarks, and those who had seen the previous Series did not accept the changes in the cast. A new Poldark series is currently being telecast in the U.S. by PBS.
The 1970s version was filmed in location in Cornwall. In it we see filthy miners in dimly lit mines, and the gentry socializing and dancing in collars, frilly cuffs and powdered wigs. The domestic scenes were filmed in Cornish houses and farms; the mine scenes in the Levant Mine, with filming guided by advice from the Camborne School of Mines.
The casting in Series I and II was extremely effective. As Ross Poldark, Robin Ellis captures the hero's courage, loyalties, strong emotions, impulsiveness, and occasional willingness to break the law. He is more comfortable around the common people than around the gentry; and he informs an Anglican clergyman that North American Indians are "often more Christian than we." Angharad Rees was an excellent choice for the role of Demelza, who gradually transforms herself from an unwashed, uneducated, and undisciplined pickpocket into a lady. But Demelza (who may be based on Graham's real life wife) is never entirely accepted by society—and her loyalties are to her people, who are "poor, ignorant and rough, but at least they're honest." Jill Townsend, with an improbable resume that includes a number of American television westerns, is effective as Elizabeth. Even the minor characters, such as the dissolute neighbor Sir Hugh Bodrugan, the loquacious banker Pascoe, and the absent-minded solicitor Pearce, have distinctive personalities. Especially noteworthy is Paul Curran, whose portrayal of Jud—fond of liquor but averse to work, missing various teeth, but never lacking explanations for delaying tasks, or assigning them to someone else—brings a touch of levity to many scenes.
The newest version of Poldark features more imaginative filming techniques, especially panoramic shots and views of figures walking or riding along the horizon. But its casting is more conventional, and the differences between the characters are less pronounced. In particular, Eleanor Tomlinson is less credible as Demelza—a motherless waif who has been sleeping rough and stealing food to stay alive—than Angharad Rees. And Philip Davis' performance as Jud lacks the antic humor that Paul Curran brought to this role in the earlier version. But Heida Reed, as Elizabeth, bears a strong resemblance to Jill Townsend. Casting is a matter of personal preference—if you believe that some performances by members of the 1970s Poldark cast were "over the top," you may be happier with the performances of the current cast.
If you are ever in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, you can visit the Pendarvis Historic Site to see how Cornish miners lived, and patronize local restaurants to sample pasties and figgyhobbin.