MASTERPIECE THEATRE: POLDARK {SERIES 1, EPISODE 1} (TV)
Summary
Part one of twenty-nine. One in this ongoing series of dramas presented under the title of "Masterpiece Theatre," hosted by Alistair Cooke. This television adaptation of Winston Graham's novels, set in 18th-century Cornwall, focuses on Captain Ross Poldark, just returned from the Revolutionary War, and his romantic and financial struggles. Cooke previews the story by describing the importance of tin and copper mines during the era and drawing a map of the United Kingdom to demonstrate. The story begins as Ross takes a stagecoach back to his home, explaining to a Reverend Johns, who is a distant relation, that the "savages" of the New World are not nearly as barbaric as he imagines. He also alludes to a former "unpleasantness" in which he killed a man in a duel. He visits a notary, Mr. Pearce, who is shocked to see him, and asks about his recently-deceased father. Pearce explains that as he, Ross, was believed dead, his uncle Charles has inherited everything when the man died. He adds that his father had significant debts from his poor business choices and from supporting his mistresses. Ross then travels to his uncle's home, and his cousins Verity and Francis are pleased to see him. He explains how he escaped a French prison camp and walked for two months to freedom and asks about his former paramour, Elizabeth. Charles reveals that he sold one of the family's copper mines to a wealthy Mr. Warleggan, though the sale is now void because of Ross' reappearance. Ross decides to inspect the mine and invites Francis along, offering to sell Charles some of the shares if it turns out to be workable, but Charles worries that Warleggan will be offended if he reneges on the sale. When Ross leaves, Charles demands why Francis did not admit that he is now engaged to Elizabeth.
Ross journeys to his father's home and, finding it in a state of disarray, angrily berates the two slovenly servants, Jud and Prudie. In the morning he visits Elizabeth, who already knows of his presence through Francis, and when she seems less than thrilled to see him, Ross becomes suspicious. She admits that she is to marry Francis instead, and he grows angry, demanding that she break the engagement, but she refuses. Later, on the way to the mine, Ross and Francis encounter Mr. Warleggan, and Ross firmly states that he does not intend to sell to him, as he is already too wealthy and owns too much. The cousins then explore the mine, and Francis attempts to apologize about Elizabeth, but Ross merely says that she will "decide" for herself, which irks Francis. He then falls into the water and nearly drowns, and Ross hesitates before rescuing him. Warleggan fumes at Charles about the mine and offers to see him shares of his own property if he can convince Ross to sell, and Charles ponders the matter.
Francis tells Charles that the copper mine is useable after all, and Ross secures a loan through Pearce from Pascoe's Bank to fund the project. Verity urges Ross to let Elizabeth go, but he refuses to accept her engagement and declares that they are meant to be together. Verity reveals that Elizabeth's parents are in debt and that marrying Francis will be financially advantageous, so Ross goes to Elizabeth again and assures her that he can help her family with the money from the mine. She admits that she loves Francis, however, and when Ross flies into a rage, she says that he frightens her. He curses her marriage and refuses to give her up, saying she will return to him someday. Charles awkwardly reminds Ross about the money his father borrowed, saying he may need to sell the loan, and urges him to consider Warleggan's offer again. Elizabeth then weds Francis, but an embittered Ross does not attend the ceremony. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: May 8, 1977 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:00:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:07303
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Literature - Adaptations
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1971-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Morris Barry … Producer
- Christopher Barry … Director
- Jack Pulman … Writer
- Winston Graham … Based on the novels by
- Kenyon Emrys-Roberts … Music by
- Alistair Cooke … Host
- Robin Ellis … Cast, Ross Poldark
- Jill Townsend … Cast, Elizabeth
- Clive Francis … Cast, Francis Poldark
- Norma Spreader … Cast, Verity Poldark
- Frank Middlemass … Cast, Charles Poldark
- Nicholas Selby … Cast, Nicholas Warleggan
- Paul Curran … Cast, Jud
- Mary Wimbush … Cast, Prudie
- Ruth Trouncer … Cast, Mrs. Chynoweth
- John Baskcomb … Cast, Mr. Pearce
- Eric Dodson … Cast, Reverend Johns
- Tilly Tremayne … Cast, Ellen
- Sheelah Wilcocks … Cast, Mrs. Tabb
- Zelah Clarke … Cast, Woman in Coach