My spouse and I have long been fans of the Poldark novels by Winston Graham, and of the 1970's TV series. We absolutely loved seasons 1-4 of this new adaptation. The scripts were faithful (in most particulars) to the books, and everything about the production was excellent: casting, directing, acting, music, locations, sets, costumes...everything! After a season or two, we had high hopes that this series would continue through adaptations of all 12 novels, the last 4 of which have never been filmed. After Season 4...well, we could not have been more disappointed with Season 5. I don't see how this season's opening title sequence can still carry the subheading "based on the novels by Winston Graham." The story line is completely off the books and off the rails. Characters act in ways that Winston Graham's creations would never have behaved. Much of the plot is implausible. There are far too many villains: a huge percentage of the screen time is spent with despicable people plotting and carrying out nefarious deeds; this quickly loses entertainment value and becomes tiresome. The last few minutes of the last episode are spent in a mad scramble to turn everything around and catch everything up to a point from which the rest of the novels could actually have proceeded. This whole season is completely ludicrous and unenjoyable to watch. If those responsible for this series weren't going to continue adapting the novels, they should have stopped at the end of Season 4.
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janene777-96-75331220 August 2015Rarely do I find a tale that so draws me in and that is because the story is elegant and gritty, actors outstanding, and scenery simply stunning! The word, "noble" means something and not all noblemen demonstrate it. The relationships are not predictable, nor the storyline which shows the desperation of those who scrape by--mostly with honor--and some not troubled by honor but wealth. From our first introduction to Ross, he shows his character and it is impossible not to care about him the way he cares about those in his life. I rate it higher than even Downton Abbey, which I have followed with dedication, as I will with Poldark. I hope it is around for a decade at least!
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tinyfeet6925 March 2015I too am a huge fan of the Winston Graham novels and especially the original Poldark series that I watched as a young girl. I was a bit skeptical that they could remake such a classic but I am pleasantly surprised and how much I am loving this show so far. Aidan portrays Ross Poldark so well and is hot hot hot to say the least. The girl who plays Demelza (sorry her name escapes me at present) is great. I remember her from The White Queen mini-series and was impressed with her then. I was totally enthralled from beginning to end. The chemistry between Ross & Demelza is amazing, just how it should be. This series is well casted and well written. I am hooked! Hope it is around for a long long time. I am definitely a fan.
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carriescoffee7 January 2018I use IMDB all the time to look at reviews but I never leave them. I signed up for an account just so I could rate this series BECAUSE IT IS THAT AWESOME. The only thing that I wish was different is that there were more episodes in a season. Ross Poldark is one of my favorite characters of all time. I can't say enough about how good this show is and everyone involved deserves accolades from the actors to the producers and writers and costume and set designers. The filmography is spectacular. I hope there are many more seasons to come (preferably with more episodes in each season). I also would love to see more television like this. I love historical fiction but a lot of television includes way too much violence, rape, and heroes with extremely confusing and questionable ethics. I like how the characters are flawed and realistic, but still recognizably noble and heroic. There are underlying messages about humanity's flaws and how we do suffer the consequences of our actions but also the value of love, forgiveness, and compassion is emphasized.
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s32761696 April 2015The original Poldark was from what I would describe as the "golden age" of UK television. Poldark sat happily alongside wonderful series like Upstairs and Downstairs, The Onedin Line, The Duchess of Duke St and War and Peace.
Set in 18th century Britain, Ross Poldark, played by Aidan Turner, is a nobleman who shuns social convention. Ross's warmth and his ability to see the true humanity in people, is in stark contrast to the callous, class based snobbery of many of his supposedly, noble peers.
Poldark is at its core a romance but it avoids the "bodice ripper" label by maintaining a very grounded approach to romantic storytelling mixing in a strong social commentary and wry humour.
The cast of Poldark are to a man and women excellent. Turner is exceptional as Poldark. As is Eleanor Tomlinson who offers up an at times very funny but also deeply touching performance, as Demelza. The remaining cast which is both UK and international, are also extremely talented and well suited to their respective roles.
In summary, this is a superb series. It recaptures the golden age of UK television, for those of us old enough to remember it.For those who do not, you are in for a real treat. 10 out of 10 from me. -
childgaia711 October 2019Loved the show and was eagerly awaiting for Season 5. Totally disappointed. Perhaps should of finished with Season 4 cause it just ran right off the rails.
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wendycscott928 August 2015You don't have to find some mysterious stones to touch to go back in time to the 18th century. Just experience Poldark on a hi-def TV with a good sound system, and you'll BE there. From the stunning Cornwall scenery, to the careful attention to detail in the interior sets and locations, to costumes that range from the ragged to the rich, to the glorious music, and their wonderful choices for casting, especially the brilliant and charismatic Aidan Turner as Ross Poldark, this production has proved to be satisfying for people who have never seen the 70s version or read the novels it is based on, as well as those who have done either or both.
There is a wonderful balance in how this has been adapted, perhaps because of both male and female influences. The original author of the books, the late Winston Graham, and Debbie Horsfield, who wrote the script, seem to collaborate to create a touching story that has us entirely sympathetic with Ross's plight as he returns to Cornwall, still recovering from his wounds from fighting the war in America, only to find his situation in tatters in more ways than one. Aidan's portrayal gives us a fascinating Ross who is warmer and easier to like than he is in the books, the first of the 12-book saga having been written 70 years ago. By the end of this first series, we care deeply about what happens to him and everyone close to him. The villains are diabolical, of course, excellently played by their respective actors, while the love story between Ross and Demelza, played beautifully by Eleanor Tomlinson, is incredibly compelling. Her story is made all the more captivating by her sad upbringing by a father who mistreats her, but she is saved from all that by Ross, seemingly on a whim. It's one of the most lovely aspects of the series that we see her progress from a penniless urchin to a young woman with at least some education and much good sense.
This is not a replacement for Downton Abbey, it's an entirely different kind of story, and to me a great deal more exciting, much as I did appreciate Downton. I never tended to watch that show's episodes more than a time or two. I can't say the same about Poldark, a guilty pleasure that seems to never get tiresome no matter how many times I've seen it.
The second season has just concluded, and it proved to be as wonderful and perhaps even more exciting than the first. The plot thickened, there were some new characters, and it was still just as well done. We saw Ross and Demelza have their marriage tested in surprising ways as they struggled through hard times, though with one of the sexiest love scenes I've ever seen. And there is also humor to lighten the story. They wrote some new music for it although they still use music from the first season—all beautiful!
And now we wait for the third season. Hopefully, it won't be as long as it was between the first and second seasons. Enjoy! -
portobellolinda10 March 2015I watched a little of the adaptation made in the 1970's but found the lead actor rather lame, though Anghared Rees was splendid. This time, its simply superb. Well cast and directed, with sumptuous Cornish scenery, the first episode introduces the main characters with a great deal of skill. We are not shown everything and not all is obvious, so there is an element of guesswork for the viewer, which always adds to the enjoyment. I can't wait for episode 2 and the others. Its fabulous, and shows how very skillful the team who put this together are. The narrative has strong sub texts which add richness to the feel of this and the acting is very fine. The whole experience was rich, costume and storyline, suspense and symbolism of the man who will not take hand-outs but instead, chooses to make his own way despite the fists of fortune punching his nose...
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Aldebaranian8 March 2015Quite good, unexpectedly good even. Comment coming from an original Poldark series fan (the second season of which I recently viewed again).
Considering the competition, the series start is very promising, hopefully they will keep it this way. Aidan Turner looks to be really on a par with Robin Ellis - which is astounding. A different approach but with essential nuances kept intact.
Goes without saying the scenery benefits from 40 ears distance and vastly superior technical possibilities (probably with a bigger budget also, relatively speaking), yet the atmosphere of the place the 1975 Poldark created can be immediately rediscovered.
The cast is alright, some pluses, some minuses for the corresponding characters in the Poldark of yore (I like a lot the new Prudie!).
Looking forward for the next episodes. The new Poldark might prove to be a hit and stand up along with the formidable old one in future's references. We'll be watching. -
rocknrelics7 November 2020... Series 5. Where it completely jumped the shark and became one big yawn, hammering home it's message of political correctness.
Such a shame to end it one such a poor note, as up until this series, it had been one of my favourite TV programmes of all time.
The first four series are marvellous, full of action, romance and intrigue. I shall just pretend it finished there. -
rick-413-79736428 October 2019The first four seasons are entertaining, well-acted, and faithful to the Winston Graham novels (even though the earlier Poldark series is better). However, the fifth and final season inexplicably strays from the books. It's a disaster and sadly leaves a bad taste.
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jicka22 June 2015Finally, something I love as good or even maybe more than Downton Abbey on Sunday night. It was so good - beautiful scenery, Aidan Turner is perfect for this part - good acting, good story line. It's got romance, drama, it's exciting, a man for the women to swoon over, beautiful English countryside, galloping horses; great costumes. It was just good and never, never boring or slow. It's got crazy English folks with bad teeth and it's just wild. I hope that it continues several years as I know I will be watching it. I've been so down and out since Downton went off in late Feb. I believe this show will definitely take the place of Downton, since it will be going off after the 6th season. Go Poldark!!
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ronjopp-7041719 November 2016It started off so promising. Lovely camera work, nice acting, but then .... The writing and directing started falling apart rapidly. Scenes started to look very over the top, the story telling very predictable, sometimes boring and sometimes even hilarious and very inconsistent. Some scenes look as if they were part of a rather bad commercial with actors looking bewildered (or like a deer in the head lights)with agonizing violins playing in the background. It's like watching a soap, but without any sense of humour. The characters are depicted so over the top, that it resembles a Disney production for kids. The bad guy is Scrooge or Cruella all over again, almost laughable. The good guy seems to have come from Homeland and plays a bi-polar role. One scene he is a social, loving and caring husband, the next scene he is a egotistical self indulging hypocrite galloping through the series on his horse. It's not the acting. Actually it is in a weird way kind of fun how the actors play these almost ridiculous and often impossible roles. Quite good in fact. A bit like a soap or a satire. So I feel a bit cheated. I wanted it to be more a historical time piece, more subtle, more realistic, less over the top. Then again, this is probably how modern entertainment is brought to us nowadays.
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Loops211212 September 2019Does this review contain spoilers? Not really, because this season was actually spoilt by the writers long before it was aired on TV.
The books, as many know, jump forward about 10-15 years at this point. For some reason, the team behind Poldark decided not to put a bit of grey into the hair of Demelza and Ross and go for it, and instead decided to try and back-fill on the years that Winston Graham skipped. Perhaps there's a reason he skipped them - maybe he had a premonition of how boring season 5 would be when it aired on BBC1.
In this season we're introduced to Despard (who was a real person, although I don't remember him appearing in any of the Poldark novels). We also spend far too much time in London and far too little time in Cornwall.
Demelza has turned into a bit of wimp, people in Cornwall have mastered the ability to cross the county in about 5 seconds and there's some militant serving girl running around causing trouble in Cornwall - the only believable thing about Tess as far as I can see is her accent.
So no - no spoilers. Just a hint of sadness that such a good adaptation has been ruined by a bad attempt at sensationalism. -
vixphn4 November 2020The last season. Then they lost the plot. Well they lost me anyways. And it was hard to watch. Then they picked it up at the end? Oh well, I look forward to watching the whole series over again! :D
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mgumsley18 March 2015Poldark is a most promising series with a lively young cast and strong storyline - who can resist an eternal triangle = against the dramatic backdrop of the Cornish coast, and Aidan Turner is a likable hero whose rugged looks create a hit with the local ladies.
Apart from the cameraman's preoccupation of showing us the Cornish coast from the saddle of Poldark's horse, it is visually stunning and the period enhances the feel of a young man returning from war to an uncertain future and trying to resurrect the family fortune in a disused mine.
Of course Demelza is not the child the series would have us believe, but children grew up much quicker in those far off days, and Demelza's poverty and problems with her family would force her to grow up faster than most. You already sense with her mining background and her willingness to work hard for very little, she is going to be of great use to Ross Poldark. Of course Poldark's obsession with Elizabeth is going to make the series more interesting but I am happily hooked and I vaguely remember the 70's series I have a feeling this is going to be superior in most respects. Roll on Sunday nights!!!
Mary Gumsley -
ohlabtechguy6 July 2015Have watched the first 3 episodes. Great scenery, cinematography, acting and costumes. I love the setting in late 1700s/early 1800s England. But the best part is that the central character is thoroughly likable, even if not thoroughly plausible. Oh....and yes, he is handsome and does have an awesome, cut torso, which is besides the point. What attracts me more and more to a series is whether or not there are likable characters portrayed by great actors conveying realistic dialogue. I much prefer to watch someone likable than to watch someone unlikeable. No...I do NOT love to hate a villainous character. I would love to love a virtuous character. I am at an age, 55, where focusing on the positive in life is so much more important than focusing on the negative. I just wish Hollywood and the movie industry would catch up with me.
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ianlouisiana9 March 2015Starting off smouldering as a redcoat in the American War of Independence where he "volunteered" to avoid being hanged back home in Cornwall,Ross Poldark (Mr A.Turner) continues much in the same vein on his return to find his inheritance gone and his fiancée appropriated by his rather wet cousin. He is man apart from his Cornish pals due to him having gone to a posh school and everything and feels like a square peg in a round hole living in a run - down bothy with two recalcitrant servants. On a visit to town to sell his watch he saves a young girl from a beating and takes her to a tavern where she exhibits shockingly bad manners;despite this he offers her a place at his pigsty,where,in short order she turns out to be a damned attractive young lady. She is called Demelza and is played with relish by Miss E.Tomlinson. Her Pa and her brothers come to take her back but are beaten off by Ross and his homies,this gives Mr Turner further opportunities to smoulder with a bloody nose to boot. His former fiancée realises she has made a terrible mistake,but she's obviously mistaken him for someone who gives a toss and he rides off with Demelza into episode two. I really enjoyed this new "Poldark" because it does post - modern irony which of course hadn't been invented forty years ago when it had it's first incarnation. It is a deliberate exercise in myth - building with Poldark himself set to be the next Mr Darcy. There are dog - fights,cock - fights and bloke - fights enough for anybody and Mr Turner cuts a suitable dash to ensure the next few Sunday nights will be accompanied by a couple of cans of lager and some Pringles. So it's off the blocks and running,then,for the Beeb's next Big One. Forget the politically - motivated "Banished" and watch this for the sheer fun of it.
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ahmetsersin1 April 2015I prefer watching police procedural, crime TV series who could be a comedy, a romance or a thriller at times, in general. But this one works like a charm for me too. Because this is like "Les Miserables", my favorite novel telling the story of close historical period. Also, I should admit I like watching TV shows having good looking cast members just like Poldark. But actors performances are also deserve standing ovation. Although this is a remake of Poldark, it is the first version I have ever watched and I really like this one. I won't write a spoiler here. So, if you like watching TV series with intrigue, romance, endeavor, drama, hope and despair my advice is just watch for yourself. After watching then come here and write your review about the series too. Good entertainment!
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braquecubism5 November 2019I think the characters and the plot are true to the times, from what I know. Poldark, is overall, a generous man who cares for the people on the land, struggling. Interesting, well acted. The costumes, the set, the direction. The panoramic views of the Country. Often his actions, especially toward woman are very much of the times. No feminism here. Intrigue, villainy, cowardice and courage, honor, among the characters.
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diana-lyons22 September 2019I loved seasons 1 to 4. I've read all the books and loved them too, so I was pleased to see this series stick so closely to those books.
Season 5 though was a complete fabrication by the writers. There was a 10 year time jump in the books between book 7 - The Angry Tide, which ends with Elizabeth's death, and book 8 - The Stranger From The Sea. The writers decided to tie up loose ends by making up a final season. They also wanted to avoid the difficulties involved in that time jump, for example explaining how Ross become a spy in Portugal. I really wish they had not bothered, because the result is dire.
For some reason Ross and Demelza's children have not grown older, neither have the other characters - except for Geoffrey Charles who seems to have missed the memo about no time jump, because he has aged years and is now a young man, not a schoolboy.
The plot reuses tired old devices from earlier seasons - another mine disaster, another famine, another prison break - and introduces new characters. Ned Despard was a real historical character, so was his wife, but they don't seem to have ever visited Cornwall. Horatio Nelson testified at the real Despard's trial, but doesn't get a gig here. They also introduce a silly young female "revolutionary" who brings a wealth of nastiness to what plot there is. They created a stupid romance for Geoffrey Charles, The season focuses on the sort of dark nastiness you might find in a bad American soap, without the inevitable rescues in the nick of time. The whole thing is beyond dismal.
Heaven knows what Winston Graham would have made of this tripe. The final season completely ruins all that went before. -
egallagher-595481 February 2018Love everything about the series - so much so I purchased S 1-3 AND the 12 books!! you could say I'm obsessed! Aidan and Eleanor are perfectly cast and play well off each other. The rest of the cast is brilliant as well. Debbie Horsfield has done a great job interpreting the books. Looking forward to S4 & 5!!!! I don't understand why the series hasn't received more nominations and awards!!
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unlusan18 August 2019The last season turned it into a soap opera. I am only watching to see how it ends.
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trash-410844 August 2019The scripting is really bad. It's fine to make up your own story to some extent -- but the injection of politically correct claptrap that sticks out like a sore thumb spoils the whole thing. This is semi-historical drama, and story-lines that come from a different planet and would never have taken place do not sit well.
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TheLittleSongbird15 August 2016Admittedly, not everything on television interests me. Love the detective and period drama shows, and still get much enjoyment from animation and some cookery shows, but daytime television is often littered with talk shows and evening stuff often variable soap-operas and incredibly trashy reality shows with only two exceptions.
'Poldark' interested me immediately, and right from minute one of the first episode this reviewer was absolutely hooked. There are minor flaws. Occasionally the pacing is a little off, occasionally dull and also occasionally the story can feel jumpy and rushed. Phil Davis' Jud is also played a little too straight for my liking for a character who is very funny in the books, of which the series does a laudable and actually great job adapting.
Minor flaws aside, 'Poldark' is a great and often magnificent series. And is it one of 2015 television's highlights? Yes, bar none. The series looks great and very evocative, particularly standing out is how beautifully shot it is, the Cornish scenery which ranges from the splendid to the exquisite and very striking and evocative costumes and attention to detail. The music is suitably haunting and melancholic and only used when it's needed, not being intrusive or being so spare that it's forgettable.
Writing is thoughtful and often very rich, and story-wise much it is very well paced and the drama is constantly compelling, with many harrowing and poignant dramatic parts that are too many to list. The characters are richly developed and compellingly real, the heroes are not too virtuous and actually have flaws and the villains are not stock or one-note.
Regarding the acting, that is fantastic pretty much all round with minor reservations only relating to Davis. Aiden Turner smoulders in his sex appeal and provides a haunted and brooding characterisation in the title role that is commanding and heartfelt. He shares sizzling chemistry with Eleanor Tomlinson's very touching and spirited Demelza.
In summary, not much else to add to what has been said already so well. Thoroughly enjoyed the series and it was a refreshing change to most of the shows airing now. There is even a second series due to be aired in a couple of weeks which is very much eagerly awaited. 9/10 Bethany Cox