Poldark

[Sunnymeg]

Is anyone else looking forward to this? It is going to be shown on Sunday nights once the present series of 'Call the Midwife' has finished.

I loved the original series even though the story did stray from the books a bit. I wonder how this one will go. I understand Robin Ellis has a bit part in the new version as the Reverend Halse.

Francis is Ross's cousin. He and Verity are siblings, his father is Charles (Warren Clarke). The Poldark family are old gentry, land and mine owners. Incidentally, the old lady sometimes shown is Great Aunt Agatha (great aunt to Ross, Francis and Verity, aunt to Charles)

George's surname is Warleggan. He is a rich banker but the grandson of a blacksmith so nouveau riche. In this version, the older Warleggan is Cary, his uncle, in the original version we had Nicholas, who was his father, but I think both Nicholas and Cary are in the books. Anyway, the Warleggans are the arch enemy.

If I give the impression that I know too much about Poldark it is because I do. I've been a fan of the original series and books for decades.

Some might think it is not healthy the amount I know about Poldark, but, on the positive side, you can ask me anything and I probably know the answer.

It's a shame it is being condensed much more than last time, there are only 8 episodes. I wish everything didn't have to be so action-packed, they have some great actors, why not develop the story line more slowly.

There does seem to be a bit of a divide between the viewers who watched the original Poldark and those of us who didn't. I didn't and so am just sitting in a dribbly heap, gawping at Aidan Turner and thinking that if I was Elizabeth, I'd have ditched Francis the moment Ross entered the room, would have been on him like a flash, no hesitation ... don't think any explanation would have been needed !

I haven't read the books either but they do seem to be cracking through the plot at quite a pace - I don't know whether that was in the script or the editing but they really don't hang around once they've got the point of the scene across do they?

I agree Norah, I want to shout "slow down" at the screen.

I'm enjoying it, trying and succeeding on the whole not to compare this one to the original.

Norah they are apparently doing 5 series?

Fives series??

Tbh I was expecting lots of galloping along the cliffs, I'm just relieved there's not more. It is quite Catherine Cooksonish at times but hey ho it could be worse.

There is no backbone to her and nothing yet in her character that is going to make her a match for Ross I dont know...she has been quite fesity considering her lowly and powerless station in the world.

I was worried we were going to be treated to a Pretty Woman type shopping scene and I was really hoping for one

Demelza is gorgeous .Beautiful bone structure .She will blossom into a feisty match for Ross I agree she is far more potential and beauty than elizabeth acttires

I watched and loved the original series. I'm enjoying the new version very much. AT is a treat for my eyes!

Demelza has a proper dress with a bodice. Why on earth would Ross have taken her to the town in the equivalent of her undies!

EauPea I'm definitely in for more stalking in September. I'm considering booking the whole month off work
You need to follow everything related to Poldark on Twitter - that's how I heard about the filming last year.
I do feel that I'll probably never get a chance to get so close to it all again though. It's going to be so big here in Cornwall that I think they'll have more security keeping the fans away, when filming in the future, as there'll be so many more people turning up to watch.
But I will be there - camera at the ready!

The clifftop gallop is straight out of Monty Python . The sketch where John Cleese is a highwayman but instead of asking for jewels he takes their lupins. "I just think of the line "Your lupins or your life!" every time I see AT gallop off.

And yes, Demelza needs to shut her mouth. I'm a simple country girl myself but I don't stand around looking vacant with my gob open.

Are the books a good read?

I like Demelza, I think she's beautiful and unusual looking and will definitely blossom. Elizabeth just reminds me of a horse.

Agreeing with Fontella and Snowstorm: Phwoooooooar at AT ... absolutely flaming gorgeous ... . And hooting at the washing off the knobrot comment.

I didn't watch the original so I am seeing the plot etc all through virgin eyes... Essentially moody, dark, sexy fuckers permastubbled in grubby shirts, with optional bloodstains is RIGHT UP MY STREET.

And Cornwall is so beautiful. And Corsham .

But mostly. Yep. It's all about Ross.

I started to get the feeling that the galloping along the same bit of cliff was due to the fact it was the only bit they could find without a windfarm in the background. It did make me rather nervous though, no way would I ride my dhorse that close to the edge!

Black marks to the make-up department for Ross's scar. It looked like they'd drawn it on with felt-tip.

Apart from that I really enjoyed it. I only vaguely remember the original so I don't have to compare it too much. It's all very watchable with the beautiful scenery and gorgeous costumes (I want a teal velvet dress), and we don't need subtitles on, unlike the disappointingly terrible Jamaica Inn. Am looking forward to next week .

I haven't read them for years, but Winston Graham was a proper writer & I remember them as being a really good read.

Yes, I remember the earliest books in the series being a good read. He wrote a few originally, then added sequels at a later date. I think there are 12 in all and I read up to about 7. That's not to say that the later books are poor but as I recall, they start to tell the stories of other characters rather than the original Ross, Demelza, Elizabeth, Warleggan, etc.

I love the books, and yes especially the first few. Ross Poldark is the perfect romantic hero. I've tried to get hold of the first editions but the first three are really hard to find.

The books definitely are a good read. I particularly love the first four and as Dumbledoresgirl says the later ones tell the stories of other characters more.

How come Ross has to jump on a horse and gallop along the coast to get to his uncle's house yet Prudie (who is meant to be fast and lazy) ran there in a very short time?

very good books, I read them all

I'm with Dumbkedoresgirl currently. Not much is sitting right with me at the moment and some of it is downright annoying (gormless face, small number of serfs wandering the coastal path and horse galloping)