212 reviews
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.
Rarely 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!
- janene777-96-753312
- Aug 19, 2015
- Permalink
I 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.
- tinyfeet69
- Mar 24, 2015
- Permalink
I 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.
- carriescoffee
- Jan 6, 2018
- Permalink
The 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.
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.
- wendycscott9
- Aug 27, 2015
- Permalink
Loved 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.
- childgaia7
- Oct 10, 2019
- Permalink
I 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...
- portobellolinda
- Mar 9, 2015
- Permalink
Quite 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.
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.
- Aldebaranian
- Mar 7, 2015
- Permalink
... 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.
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.
- rocknrelics
- Nov 6, 2020
- Permalink
The 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.
- Classic_Film_TV_Cafe
- Oct 27, 2019
- Permalink
Finally, 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!!
It 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.
- ronjopp-70417
- Nov 18, 2016
- Permalink
Does 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.
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.
Poldark 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
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
Have 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.
- ohlabtechguy
- Jul 5, 2015
- Permalink
- ianlouisiana
- Mar 8, 2015
- Permalink
Admittedly, 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
'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
- TheLittleSongbird
- Aug 14, 2016
- Permalink
I 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!
- ahmetsersin
- Mar 31, 2015
- Permalink
The 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
- darciredditt
- Nov 29, 2019
- Permalink
Love 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!!
- egallagher-59548
- Jan 31, 2018
- Permalink
- diana-lyons
- Sep 21, 2019
- Permalink
The 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.
- trash-41084
- Aug 3, 2019
- Permalink
Singularly the best historic TV series drama that I've seen bar none. Very accurate to the book, very entertaining. There's very few series or films I can watch again, but I've watched this all twice and loved every minute of it.