User Reviews

This series is a welcome dramatization of the Winston Graham novels dealing with the Poldarks of Cornwall. The acting is great and the local scenery enthralling. The programs are full of adventure, intrigue, romance and also provide an interesting insight into the lives of miners at the end of the 18th century.

I've seen the later Poldark, the Poldark sequels, and all that, but though they have their merits, NOTHING COMES CLOSE to the original series! As far as I'm concerned, Robin Ellis IS Ross Poldark, and the part of Demelza was made for Angharad Rees! When I think of Elizabeth, I picture Jill Townsend, and there's no better George Warleggan than Ralph Bates! Judy Geeson made the perfect Caroline!

In fact, the whole cast was terrific, I can't think of anyone who didn't fit their roles to a tee, whoever did the casting sure knew their job!

The outdoor scenes, the haunting theme music, everything just fell into place so perfectly. The miniseries to end all miniseries!

I first saw this in the '70's when I was about to enter my teens, it made such an impact on me that every time it was re-screened I was glued and made sure I got it on DVD when it was released. Set in 18th Century Cornwall it tells the story of the trials and tribulations of people who you deeply care about, which is part of it's real success. I lived in that part of the world for 14 years and the beauty of the area is shown perfectly and the atmosphere of the times is spot on, it is not glamourised at all. All the performances are excellent without exception and it is a complete joy to watch again and again. A must see. I quite simply love it.

I have been watching this series since I was a child and absolutely love it. The actors are wonderful and the drama keeps going. You really learn to love these people, or hate them as the case may be. Some drama is not appropriate for children. I rent it from my local library once a year. My husband can even stand this one. There is a lot of character development as the people mature and they diverge through several different groups and couples. You get to see love develop and change through many different relationships. I only wish they would hurry up and provide this series on DVD, one and two. You need to watch the whole series, right now it is 12 episodes of 2 hours each. I have been requesting it for years now. A definite worth the time.

Poldark originally was broadcast here in the US on Masterpiece Theater. While many Masterpiece Theater Shows have been excellent, Poldark stood out as probably the best of any I have ever seen. It was amazing. A story about a man just returning from the revolutionary war to find his home and estate in ruins, the girl he loved gone and many challenges to face. Well acted and well directed this story will keep you guessing and wanting more. I can't recommend this one enough. I hope they put it on DVD soon so I can see it again and again.

Note: There is also another Poldark series, Poldark II, which is a continuation of this series and tells you the rest of the story.

I remember my mum being glued to BBC's Poldark when I was little (eight years old to be exact!) so when the first series was shown again in the eighties I watched and was hooked. I bought the videos as they were released and rationed myself to an hour a night! I have watched and enjoyed both series many times since.

The BBC got everything right, it's a rip roaring tale with a wonderful cast, well worth a look if you haven't seen it or if you haven't seen it for a while!

Why couldn't ITV have employed Robin Ellis and Angharad Rees when they made that Poldark 'special' a few years ago.

When this "mini-series" first aired in the U.S. I was in junior high school and waited eagerly for each weekly episode to air on our local PBS station. Now, as an adult, I still find it completely engrossing and entertaining, only now on my DVD whenever I desire.

"The Poldark Saga" captures the struggles of an 18th century Cornish family, both economic and social, with characters that one can grow to love and cherish. This was a ground-breaking series in the 70's, taking the action off of the sound stage, and on to location. As the series progresses, the outdoor scenes improve, adding the rugged beauty of Cornwall to the cast of characters. This is a lovely series, and highly recommended for anyone who loves a costume drama that is truly British.

If you read the books first or see the series first, either is a very satisfying experience. Lovers of romantic period novels should give this series a try. If I remember correctly, the first series covers the first 3 books; the second, books 4, 5, and 6 (the titles escape me). Graham wrote more books after the first six but those have never been dramatized for movie or television. Look this up on Amazon for more user comments.

Don't get me wrong, as explained in my review for the recent 'Poldark' series, the recent adaptation of 'Poldark' which first aired last year is a great and often magnificent series that was one of 2015 television's highlights in a year where my television watching was pretty sporadic.

Just that this 1975 adaptation is even better. Whereas the newer version had minor flaws with occasional pacing issues and Jud being played too straight (for my liking that is), this one was perfectly paced and the performance of Jud brought much needed levity and beautifully timed humour to the proceedings. Didn't have any problem with this version, didn't detect any scenery chewing (something that's obvious to me) and the 70s production values still looked good and added to 'Poldark's' charm.

Even if the production values are of its time and the newer version has more clarity and polish, the series still looks great. It's beautifully photographed, evocatively costumed to the extent that it's like being transported back in time to that period, has very faithful attention to detail (even more so than the recent version) and has splendid scenery that doesn't look confined or studio-bound.

'Poldark' is understatedly scored, intelligently written, richly characterised and dramatically compelling with plenty of tense and poignant moments handsomely staged. Robin Ellis and particularly Angharad Rees are excellent in the lead roles, while Jill Townsend and Paul Curran are notably sterling support.

In summary, wonderful and the superior version. Both versions are highly recommended. Will watch the 1996 version, but am not expecting much. 10/10 Bethany Cox

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.

OK, so Ross originally fought AGAINST us in our Revolution, but he is one of us at heart. A fellow with an appropriate sense of noblesse oblige, even if he ignores his own safety and interests in carrying it out, is so irresistible. How could Elizabeth have been so foolish as to not appreciate that essential element of his character?

Robin Ellis' performance is so amazingly positive we can't help but feel that anyone who finds themselves on a downward spiral can get it together if they have enough courage and determination. He's a role model for anyone who's even tempted to throw in the towel.

And a big Bronx cheer to the late Louis B. Mayer for denigrating things "where people write with feathers." The period of this story is one of my all-time favorites and not just for the clothes (I challenge anyone to say that the men of this series look anything but appropriately masculine), but for the ideals that were born in it. Sometimes we need to go back to our roots...

I did like this series when it first aired. I never understand why no one ever mentions Jill Townsend. I remember liking her very much when she was in the western series Cimarron Strip. She played a young girl named Dulcey (early lust). I later enjoyed the actress who played Elizabeth in the Poldark series. It wasn't until later that I realized that it was Duclie matured. Jill appeared in a few movies, TV spots and then nothing. Her last movie was the Awakening. I remember enjoying seeing her in that movie. No, she seems to have disappeared off the media's radar screen. Anyway, here is a 10 vote for Jill Townsend. I wish she would return to the screen.

Brilliant story lines with excellent sub plots, fantastic characters, sublime acting.

Possibly my all time favourite which prompted me to read all the Poldark novels by Whinston Graham. Reading books after I have seen the dramatisation is not something I usually do.

Poldark was a terrific television series from PBS's Masterpiece Theatre (1975-77). I had visited Cornwall before seeing this series and was tremendously impressed by the coastal beauty of Land's End. It was a cool, windy spot overlooking a vast, rocky shoreline with a tremendous view out over the Atlantic Ocean. I have never forgotten this place and the outdoor scenes in Poldark brought it all back. Robin Ellis plays the role of Ross Poldark, who returns from the Revolutionary War in America to resume his life in Cornwall on the craggy western coast of England. Most of his neighbours earn their livelihoods from the mines run by robber barons who cared little for the family breadwinners in their employ. As a result, many of the them turned to a life of smuggling along the coastal coves or plundering vessels stranded on the rocky waters. Poldark was a headstrong man but had a big heart for the people, who lived at the mercy of the wealthy mine companies and landowners. Robin Ellis personifies the character superbly. It should be said that Poldark does not put up with any backsliding; he expects honesty and a hard day's work from his mine employees and his servants. However, he fights for the underdog with the same commitment he showed in going to America to fight for the people there against the colonial power of his own nation. That adventure didn't win him friends among his own class but he had no problem taking them on or even his own family in fighting for what was right. The woman he was in love with, the elegant Elizabeth, married into the Warleggin family, while he was gone. Ross still has a strong attachment to her and this plays into his rivalry with George Warleggin, his cousin, who often double crosses Ross. Ross later marries a woman by the name of Demelza, who has a rustic upbringing but matures as Ross's wife and one who shares his concern for the downtrodden. A great TV series and one that has stayed with me over the years.

What a series! My husband and I were spellbound for the 18 or so hours (over a month) it took to watch Part 1 and 2. The plot twists are great but what is primarily so entrancing is the presentation of life at the end of the 18th Century. We particularly like Ross Poldark's propensity for going into prisons and removing prisoners who have been falsely jailed or whom he is fond of. He does this on a fairly regular basis. Cornwall seems to be very much like Seattle - only a few scenes are shot in sunshine - all in all, a sort of up-scale, historical soap-opera.

Romance, drama, Cornish history including the mining, the smugglers, shipwrecks, it has it all! I own the whole series, Poldark and Poldark 2. Just finished going through them both for the second time on video plus saw the originals on TV in the seventies. Hopefully they will appear on DVD soon.

The IMDb page seemingly lists all the characters/actors, even the bit players with little or no speaking parts. Something puzzles me here: One of the more important characters was a Dr. Behenna, played by Hugh Dickson. The character appears prominently in most, if not all, episodes and his part is essential to the plot. Strangely, this character is not even mentioned by IMDb - or by Amazon. Even more strange is that a look at the IMDb page for Hugh Dickson makes no mention of his part in Poldark or Poldark 2. Anybody have an explanation?

I think that this drama series is so amazing, so captivating, with great acting and performance, from Captain Ross Poldark & Demelza to Jed Paynter.

I was so hooked watching the first part, that I had to rush to the closest library and get Poldark 2.

I am currently watching part5 and can't help wishing there was a Poldark 3...If the BBC ever makes one, I'll be the first to watch it!

And I agree with an earlier comment that the BBC always manages to put out fantastic drama and great screen adaptations to great novels.

Thanks to the BBC for giving us something so amazing to watch!!