- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,396
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
I've always been a sucker for extremely high quality British television programming, and when I heard that Poldark, which I'd not seen, but about which I'd read great things was coming to Blu-ray...
Back around 1975, the novels by Winston Graham, who also wrote the novel on which Hitchcock's Marnie is based, arrived on UK television over two seasons of 29 episodes. The earlier version, which starred Robin Ellis and Angharad Rees, is available from Acorn. When the new series was announced, many who saw the original questioned why it was being remade. As good as the first outing was, the answer can be found by watching the new version.
Forty years later, the series has been reimagined with Aidan Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson in the leads, along with a superb supporting cast, and the results are never less than astonishing.
Returning to his native Cornwall after representing the losing side during the American Revolution, Ross Poldark finds his family in shambles, the girl he loved betrothed to his cousin, and the economy in the region at low ebb.
The first season (yes, there's a second coming) of eight episodes captures the attention of the viewer, and never lets it go for the next 8 hours.
One of the major attributes of the production, is its location photography by Adam Etherington and Cinders Forshaw, which makes the locations, especially in Cornwall, appear both magnificent and foreboding.
Poldark was shot with an Alexa, and a bit of help from a 4k Blackmagic camera for aerial shots of the coastline. (go here: http://www.televisual.com/news-detail/How-Lens-Foundry-shot-Poldarks-cornish-coast_nid-5438.html )
The first season of Poldark is serious drama, unhesitatingly dark and difficult at times, which only makes the wait for season two a difficult one.
Currently available from Amazon for $35, and well worth the price of admission.
A magnificent series that comes highly recommended.
RAH
