Poldark: Series 1

One of the early Masterpiece Theatre blockbusters, the late 1970s PBS-aired megahit Poldark adapts Winston Graham's series of novels about an English captain who returns to his Cornwall home from service in the American Revolutionary War—after erroneously being reported killed in action—to find his fortune much changed. More than 30 years later, the murky visuals (obviously shot on videotape) and general staginess (while occasional sequences are set outdoors, much of the series consists of long interior scenes) prove to be somewhat of a drawback. But Robin Ellis still cuts a stalwart figure as Poldark, and the two women in his life—genteel Elizabeth and earthy Demelza—are strongly played by Jill Townsend and Angharad Rees. The narrative focuses on Poldark's marriage to Demelza (after former lover Elizabeth marries Poldark's cousin) and on his ongoing rivalry in the mining business with the ruthless Warleggen family, capitalist upstarts challenging the old aristocracy. Numerous subplots involve relatives, villagers, and others (an idealistic young doctor, as well as bankers, lawyers, and investors), while romances, duels, trials, shipwrecks, smuggling schemes, fistfights, and epidemics are interspersed throughout. Although perhaps lacking its erstwhile punch, Poldark is still the epitome of a period saga and remains enjoyably old-fashioned hokum that will be remembered fondly by those who originally watched the series. Compiling all 16 episodes from the 1975-76 first season, DVD extras include cast filmographies and a text history of Cornwall. Recommended. (F. Swietek)