Poldark reboot alert

[Captain Blood]

It appears that the BBC is remaking that classic 1970's quasi-swashbuckling tale of adventure and romance in wildest, darkest C17th Cornwall: Poldark.
If you're in the UK, there's a preview up on BBC iPlayer - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p02jrpxf/preview-poldark

The new version features Kili the Irish love-interest dwarf from 'The Hobbit' as Ross Poldark.

Hmmm.



Well, we shall see...

This is the second attempt at a reboot of this once legendary serial - apparently the most successful costume drama export of all time until the arrival of Pride & Prejudice.
Of course, nothing will ever be as good as the original Poldark with Robin Ellis, Angharad Rees and the incomparable Ralph Bates.
That 1975-6 Poldark was a seminal part of my childhood. Indeed, my eldest offspring is named in honour of the eponymous hero (much to his disgust).

But it's a wonderful tale ripe with opportunities and scenarios for smuggling, wrecking, footpads and highwaymen, so I shall be watching with interest... Let's hope they do it justice, and don't dump on the memory of the brilliant original

[Malamute]

Saw the trailer the other night and will watch for the eye candy scenery etc, let's hope they don't ruin it.

[Silent Invader]

Ah yes.  Poldark was an 'event' in our family too!

[Mo!]

Must watch my wife's name is Demelza 

[Steve63]

I remember watching as way back in the 70's
Don't remember much swashbuckling though, mostly soap opera and love interest.

[OSHIROmodels]

Well at least it's on the Beeb and not on PrimeSpottyFlix or some such.

cheers

James

[Harry von Fleischmann]

Looks as if they've gone a bit LOTM for flashbacks to Ross' backstory in the AWI, I mean Rebellion. I enjoyed the original but this does look fun. The occasional duels, punch ups and heaving bosoms made for classic viewing....

[Captain Blood]

Watched the first one. Not bad. Nice scenery. The leading man is a bit too Heathcliff and melodramatic for me. Robin Ellis was a lot more determined and down to earth, and a lot less windswept and brooding. But we shall see how it develops...

[Harry von Fleischmann]

Good point there about Robin Ellis but I think this has potential it certainly looks good. I was bemused by the Telegraph (I think) review that reckoned Ross was a ranker in the AWI - the gorget and eppaulets were a bit of a give-away you'd have thought. And who needs a makeover when you've a farm yard water pump eh?

[Malamute]

He did spend an awful lot of time galloping along the gorgeous coastline or standing staring meaningfully out to sea. 

[Captain Blood]

I was bemused by the Telegraph (I think) review that reckoned Ross was a ranker in the AWI - the gorget and eppaulets were a bit of a give-away you'd have thought. And who needs a makeover when you've a farm yard water pump eh?

Yes, that was a confusing moment - classic bit of TV company ignorance on matters military. So they have Poldark sitting there in an officer's uniform, gorget and all: but being clearly addressed by another officer as though he is a ranker.
Wrong on all counts because in the books (and in the original TV series) he is 'Captain' Poldark throughout...
Not a very auspicious start

I read another comment somewhere else today which pretty much hit the nail on the head...
The original series had approximately twice as much dialogue and half the amount of galloping along the clifftops. The dialogue and interior scenes drew a much richer picture of the period and dealt with more interesting and complex themes of economic decline, social division, politics, class, business and much else besides. All of which made it jolly interesting and 'real' somehow - the romantic entanglements were just one aspect of a much more nuanced and intelligent story.
On the evidence of the first episode, most of this texture appears to be missing from the new adaptation. Which is playing up the gothic romance for all its worth, at the expense of the more interesting, multi-layered historical tale told through the novels.

Still: early days... Probably unfair to judge at this point. Perhaps it will get into a more meaty stride as it goes along

[Silent Invader]

I only saw the second half : it seemed a bit 'light' 

[Harry von Fleischmann]

Spot on there Captain. The reference to the army or the gallows was odd - iirc Ross pretty much had to get out of the county due to a reputation as a wild boy, not to avoid an appointment with the Newgate jig. And if he had gone to war as a kings hard bargain, he'd nit have been an hofficer. Still, it's watchable and that's what counts ......

[Dr DeAth]

Watched it, liked it. Will watch it next week and see if it develops into something engaging rather than just entertaining.

[Steve63]

I didn't watch it, my wife's recorded it so I might watch it with her later but it looks like there's not much swashbuckling and its mostly soap opera and love interest?