MovieChat Forums > Poldark (1977) Discussion > This version vs the new one

This version vs the new one

posted 8 years ago by meerschweinchen_freunde
7 replies | jump to latest

Since people have asked that those who have seen series two not spoil the show for Americans I decided to post in this board. Well the "death" of Jud was much more subtle in the new one and not so over the top like in this version. Which is a shame because at least it was funnier with the over the top scene chewing performances of Paul Curran. While Phil Davis is a fantastic actor he just isn't the ham that Paul Curran was. I do like Beatie Edney's Prudie. So I will say that this version's theatrical "death" of Jud was better than the new version's.

[–] visualcookie 8 years ago

I totally agree with you about the whole Jud death and resurrection scenes in the new version. To me it was not funny or even comical, it was just so disappointing and I was so looking forward to it. I have not liked the characterisation of Jud in the production at all, to me he is just a mean drunk and not at all the stupid transparent Jud of the books.

[–] meerschweinchen_freunde 8 years ago

The old version was so theatrical that it was perfect for Jud's "death". I like the new version but it isn't as theatrical which is good and bad. Oh well.

[–] supergran 8 years ago

Agree with both of you!

The Poldark story can be very depressing - mine closures, bankruptcy, infant death, adultery (both actual and wishful!) - that the new production definitely needs the humour that Jud and Prudie can bring. Jud's "death" was a golden opportunity wasted.

I loved the scene in P75 when all the villagers are peering in the window to see the resurrected and highly disgruntled Jud. The whole scenario is laugh-out-loud funny.

If there aren't any skeletons in a man's closet, there's probably a Bertha in his attic.

[–] meerschweinchen_freunde 8 years ago

I think that in the next episode there will be more to Jud's resurrection. In the last episode Prudie fainted at the sight of Jud ending it for that episode and of course the books state that his resurrection causes a scandal in the district so there will be more in the next episode. So maybe it will be humorous with the interaction with the villagers.

[–] meerschweinchen_freunde 8 years ago

As for the fourth episode I will say that it is more like the books than in this version. The fight scene between Ross and George in this version felt very staged while in the new one it feels more real. I liked how in the new adaptation Debbie Horsfield had Captain Blamey there when Verity met her stepchildren while in the books Blamey wasn't able to be there because he had to go on an emergency trip to Lisbon.

[–] Venus-25 7 years ago

We've passed the episode now so I can post this:

I prefer the way Sir Hugh Bodrogan's party was done in this series. It was hilarious, like something out of Henry Fielding and/or Hogarth, and Lady Bodrogan was a rip. The music and dancing were great, too.

Not to mention that the original Capt MacNeil had a more authentic look. Mustaches were not fashionable in the 18th century.

The Fabio Principle: Puffy shirts look best on men who look even better without them.

[–] sheezcrazy 7 years ago

I loved the original Captain McNeil! He was just perfectly randy in his scenes with Demelza.