Poldark Lives!

Recently re-watched the PBS series "Poldark" on DVD. First released in 1975, it came out on VHS a number of years ago, and now on DVD. Based on the first four novels of a 13 book series by Winston Graham and set in Cornwall, the main plotlines concern the characters of Capt. Ross Poldark, his cousin Francis Poldark, the ignorant waif Demelza, and the beautiful but shallow Elizabeth Chynoweth. Beginning in 1783, with Ross returning home from his service in the American Revolution to Cornwall (after being thought dead) to find his father dead, his home Nampara in a neglected state, his copper mines about to close, and his fiancee Elizabeth about to marry his cousin Francis, the story moves forward at a fairly good clip, involving more characters and storylines. There are 16 episodes in the first series; a second series was filmed as well--based on the next three books. And yes, while there are soap opera elements to the stories, the episodes remain close to the original novels, and the focus remains mostly on Ross and Demelza, two wonderfully drawn creations: Ross is a brooding, unruly sort of character, a heroic type who cares deeply for people and wants to do right, but gets himself into trouble because he can also be inflexible in his attitude. Demelza is a more free spirited type, smart and unafraid to share her thoughts, who doesn't understand why everyone can't learn to live together in peace. Other interesting characters include Verity Poldark and her longing for another life outside of Trenwith; George Warleggan, wealthy and socially inferior to the Poldarks and with a terrible jealous streak, continually makes trouble which creates a feud that runs through the entire TV and book series; Dr. Enys, young idealistic physician, whose lust for a miner's wife leads to tragedy; Francis and Elizabeth, whose marriage is an unhappy union for various reasons, all of which lead back to Ross; heiress Caroline Penvenen of Killewarren, who becames fascinated with Enys; Jud and Prudie, Ross' servants, who are poor but tough locals, and who provide some of the humor in these stories. I remember these stories with pleasure and enjoyed viewing them again. I read the novels years ago after viewing the TV series, and Graham's books are wonderfully done, with colorful, vivid characters and plenty of historical details, covering the gamut of human emotion and interaction: drama and heartache and inspiration and happiness and love and hate and loss, and even details on copper mining in Cornwall during the late 18th century. PBS did an excellent job of adapting and producing the series from the novels, and it has held up very well since 1975. If you've never viewed the TV series before (or even if you did years ago), the episodes are worth another look. And the books are well worth reading.You will be quickly drawn into the lives of these characters and enjoy the wonderful storytelling!