Shortly after the sad news of the death of Angharad my wife and I were on holiday in and around Poldark country and I found myself many times reflecting on the days of Poldark. As Caroline wrote some months ago, the thought of continuing novels would have had their attractions, but the fact had to be faced that by the 1850's or 1860's, lives having been fulfilled, Ross and Demelza would indeed have had to be written out as they would have passed away.
When Winston Graham died nine yeears ago it was very sad, and of course it did mean that his final words had been written when Bella stopped the coach, climbed out, knelt down and kissed her belovèd Cornish earth as she crossed the Cornwall county boundary on her way back home to Nampara with Ross & Demelza. But as the world of Poldark still lived on in all the books, the videos, and of course in our many differing mind's eyes, the loss of Winston didn't really seem like the end. But when Angharad left us, although there was never any realistic likelihood of her, or indeed Robin, being ever likely to reprise their eponymous roles of Ross and Demelza, to me it felt like it really was Demelza who had left us as well, and while grieving for Angharad, I truly felt that I was also grieving for Demelza, and of course with Ross for the loss of his soulmate.
It is perhaps a measure of the sheer literary genius of WG in bringing the life and times of the Poldarks before us, and even more so the reality of the works of Robin and Angharad in bringing Winston's words to life, that the death of Angharad to me fuses into the death of Demelza, and somehow I find myself grieving for both beautiful and wonderful ladies, who will no more come before us.
Dwight
Oh Dwight, I think you speak for every one of us who felt a great emptiness of heart when our beloved Demelza and Angharad died. Thank you so much for expressing this with such eloquence and great depth of feeling in your lovely post. Without doubt, Winston Graham gave us all such a wonderful gift with his words and superb characters. Our effervescently beautiful Demelza, as you say, so beautifully brought to life by Angharad, the very talented actress and immensely strong woman and loving wife and mother, will remain in our hearts forever.
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Tide was nearly full. Mist lay in a grey scarf along the line of the cliffs. .. and they walked home hand in hand through the slanting shadows of the new darkness.
Shortly after the sad news of the death of Angharad my wife and I were on holiday in and around Poldark country and I found myself many times reflecting on the days of Poldark. As Caroline wrote some months ago, the thought of continuing novels would have had their attractions, but the fact had to be faced that by the 1850's or 1860's, lives having been fulfilled, Ross and Demelza would indeed have had to be written out as they would have passed away.
When Winston Graham died nine yeears ago it was very sad, and of course it did mean that his final words had been written when Bella stopped the coach, climbed out, knelt down and kissed her belovèd Cornish earth as she crossed the Cornwall county boundary on her way back home to Nampara with Ross & Demelza. But as the world of Poldark still lived on in all the books, the videos, and of course in our many differing mind's eyes, the loss of Winston didn't really seem like the end. But when Angharad left us, although there was never any realistic likelihood of her, or indeed Robin, being ever likely to reprise their eponymous roles of Ross and Demelza, to me it felt like it really was Demelza who had left us as well, and while grieving for Angharad, I truly felt that I was also grieving for Demelza, and of course with Ross for the loss of his soulmate.
It is perhaps a measure of the sheer literary genius of WG in bringing the life and times of the Poldarks before us, and even more so the reality of the works of Robin and Angharad in bringing Winston's words to life, that the death of Angharad to me fuses into the death of Demelza, and somehow I find myself grieving for both beautiful and wonderful ladies, who will no more come before us.
You very lucky lady Char!!!! Looking forward to seeing your pictures
There be loads of condensation on these 'ere windows, the surf up and I can taste the salt in the air.....and my garden has taken a battering with this non stop rain. The old clock on the mantlepiece needs winding, I must see to it at once.
I was visiting a friend yesterday and she gave me a most unexpected gift! Years ago, she had been given some jewellry from Angharad Rees own design but she wasnt keen on it and didnt really know who she was. She has given it to me and also the catalogue that came with it! I will take some pics and post them later but what a lovely surprise! The jewellry is lovley, very delicate and pretty!
AdArmand - a few of us are having trouble watching the vid....any ideas why? I'd love to see it. I have a very up to date Mac which is usually ok to watch everything....
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Demelza
A passionate child rolling in the dust with her ugly dog; a girl driving oxen; a woman....Did anything else matter?
This looks wonderful, but I can't watch it cos of all the buffering grrrr I be stamping my feet and having a hissy fit....it is making me drink my Port with great speed, if there was an Olympic category in drinking Port, I'd be winning GOLD right now :(
Listen here to Radio Cornwall which features a segment where Robin is interviewed about Angharad - around the 2:39 mark. It's only online until Monday.... http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00vxbc3
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Demelza
A passionate child rolling in the dust with her ugly dog; a girl driving oxen; a woman....Did anything else matter?
Hi everyone - I copied this rare video from my own original video recording a while back and put it up privately on YouTube. Somehow it's got out into the world so I thought I'd post it here too. It's Angharad on The Morecambe and Wise show circa 1977 and it's a gem. A great tribute to all three of them. Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLcf97r7WVI&feature=youtu.be
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Demelza
A passionate child rolling in the dust with her ugly dog; a girl driving oxen; a woman....Did anything else matter?
It is so sad about Angharad. I couldn't believe it when it rolled along the bottom of the news headlines, so much that I asked in hope whether there was another Angharad Rees, and that it wasn't our Demelza. Such a beautiful, high-spirited lady who I'm sure will be remembered fondly by many.
Morwenna
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A sudden warmth flooded the cove ...and he knew he was home.
Many of my pagan friends mostly remember Angharad as The Witch of Elsdon in Robin of Sherwood - for those of you who haven't seen it here is an avi file of the episode. She looked so beautiful in mediaeval clothes..... http://veehd.com/video/4665300_Robin-of-Sherwood-1x03-The-Witch-of-Elsdon-avi
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Demelza
A passionate child rolling in the dust with her ugly dog; a girl driving oxen; a woman....Did anything else matter?
A wonderful evocative photo. Very sad news of Angharad - almost unbelievable that she should die so young. Pancreatic cancer took my mother, a friend and also, I believe, Ralph Bates.
The posting by Namps - of Demelza's conversation with Ross when Elizabeth dies - is very apt and poignant.
The world has lost a beautiful, talented and gracious actress and a lady who brought magic, joy and laughter into the lives of so many. There is one more sparkling star illuminating the heavens tonight and she will never be forgotten.
These poignant words come to mind as they are the last ones our precious and beautiful Demelza utters in the last series of Poldark:
'Of course there has to be an end,' she said. 'Of course. For that is what everyone has faced since the world began. And that is - what do you call it? - intolerable. It's intolerable! So you must not think of it. You must not face it. Because it is a - certainty it has to be forgotten. One cannot - must not - fear a certainty. All we know is this moment, and this moment, Ross, we are alive! We are. We are. The past is over, gone. What is to come doesn't exist yet. That's tomorrow! It's only now that can ever be, at any one moment. And at this moment, now, we are alive - and together. We can't ask more. There isn't any more to ask.'
..............................................
I hope and pray that Angharad lived her life for the moment, somehow I feel sure she did. It's a lesson to us all.
RIP dear Angharad, always in our hearts.
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Tide was nearly full. Mist lay in a grey scarf along the line of the cliffs. .. and they walked home hand in hand through the slanting shadows of the new darkness.
I woke up to this news this morning and haven't been myself all day....I'm devastated. Sleep peacefully dear Angharad and thanks for the joy you brought to so many of us......xx
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Demelza
A passionate child rolling in the dust with her ugly dog; a girl driving oxen; a woman....Did anything else matter?
Having come to Poldark via the 1970's TV Series, Angharad was, and always will be, Demelza to me. When I am re-reading the books it is always Angharad who is in my mind's eye as Demelza, red hair and all. She will of course always live on as Demelza, who herself lives on in our minds in that wonderful world of Poldark.
Robin Ellis has posted this tribute in his Blog:
"I have just heard that Angharad Rees has died aged 63 from pancreatic cancer. It is devastating news. Angharad was a wonderful friend and talented professional colleague.
Her portrayal of Demelza in Poldark was definitive and the series could not have enjoyed the success it had without her unique spirit informing the role.
"Oh Ross"
We shared a very special time. I will always remember her with enormous affection and respect. She was a person who took pains to care for others. She spread her magic where ever she went. Her sense of humour was a joy and often for me a morale booster.
It was a privilege to know her."
It was our privilege as well. Thankyou so much Angharad, you have enriched our lives.
Dwight
-- Edited by Dwight on Sunday 22nd of July 2012 08:36:42 AM
-- Edited by Dwight on Sunday 22nd of July 2012 08:37:09 AM
I have just read on twitter that Angharad Rees has died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. So sad and hard to believe. Thoughts and condolences go to her family and friends. She will always be remembered for her spirited and memorable performance as our beloved Demelza. RIP
A couple of on-screen sightings in these last weeks of Angharad....I've been ill with the flu and during that time have been re-watching Robin of Sherwood (another huge fave of mine - and you know, I reckon Michael Praed would make a very good older Ross these days!). I had quite forgotten Angharad played 'Jennet' in the episode entitled The Witch of Endor. Lovely performance.
But the one which really surprised me was last night - one of our tv channels here has been replaying (mostly bad) old British comedy series and I recorded Doctor in the House for nostalgia's sake. I used to love it as a kid but it's really dated now and not at all funny - was about to turn it off when suddenly my partner said 'Oh where have I seen her before?' And it was Angharad playing a nurse/girlfriend of Robin Nedwell and looking very young indeed! Think it would be around 1971 vintage? I've recorded it and now need to try and work out how to get it onto YouTube or somewhere so I can share with you....any help would be appreciated (I have a Mac)
Bron
-- Edited by bronny on Friday 4th of November 2011 08:32:03 PM
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Demelza
A passionate child rolling in the dust with her ugly dog; a girl driving oxen; a woman....Did anything else matter?
I Love the caracter of Demelza and admire Mrs. Rees as person. She is lovely, gentle and very kind. I meet Mrs. Angharad in her jewellery's shop in London 4 years ago. I conserve the best memories!!!!
I'm watching the "Duchess Of Duke Street", and I've just gotten to the episode where AR is in the show. Hard to believe Cristopher Cazenove (as Charlie/Lord Haselemere) just died. Great acting from all.
And Gemma Jones has the fire down below to be Demelza. Louisa is SuperCook, too!
I've just noticed that "Hands of The Ripper" with Angharad Rees is available on DVD by "Network" DVD for around 10-12 pounds depending on retailer. It has a commentary by Angharad on it and the "Thriller" episode "Once The Killing Starts" with her in it as one of the extras on the DVD.
Wonder if one day Poldark will ever be given a proper rerelease on DVD with a proper commentary and lots of extras. It has happened in the past with lesser BBC DVDs like "Sorry!", "The Tripods" etc...
-- Edited by redrachel76 on Thursday 26th of November 2009 09:08:50 PM
Check out the Youtube videos posted at the beginning here. Enjoy!
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Tide was nearly full. Mist lay in a grey scarf along the line of the cliffs. .. and they walked home hand in hand through the slanting shadows of the new darkness.
That one you remember with the woman trapped in an office with the sinister murderer was called "I'm The Girl He Wants To Kill". It's the one everyone remembers. It's really good, it still holds up today.
I wish I could get a screen capture and post it on here but I'm a bit of a computer illiterate in these things.
I've tried to put the Hammer Horror trailer with Angharad below.
Yay! it's worked
I love these old style film trailers
-- Edited by redrachel76 on Thursday 22nd of October 2009 11:38:02 AM
I can remember the music was really sinister. The one i remember the most involved a girl in an office and an intruder/murderer/creepy bloke stalking her around the building, really atmospheric and tense. Not much actually happened but the tension and the thought of being alone in an office block with some madman prowling around was a very powerful image and so your imagination did the rest! I have an old version of Jane Eyre (1970) and Angharad is one of the supporting cast, more familiar because she is wearing period costume but she has no lines!
The old Hammer Horror you mention is on youtube - but it only has the trailer on it unfortunatly.
I wasn't old enough to remember Thriller the first time it was originally shown on telly.
You probably don't remember the episode with Angharad in it because it was one of the more forgetable episodes and also because she's totally unrecognisable in it. Particulally with her short hair, 70's jeans and RP accent.
Thriller was very variable in it's 4 series. Some episodes were brilliant and memorable and some were awful.
-- Edited by redrachel76 on Monday 19th of October 2009 10:21:45 PM
I used to love watching Thriller on a saturday night! THey were always really scary! I dont remember Angharad being in one. Might have to search them out on amazon! I do remember her being in an old hammer horror picture where she played the murderous daughter of jack the ripper!
I number of years ago I bought the "Thriller" boxset for 35 pounds. Thriller was a made roughly around 1973-5 and was simllar to "Tales of the Unexpected" made a couple of years later. It is typical atmospheric 70's drama with many twists and turns in the plot... the sort of thing I like in short.
I've had the boxset for years but only now, by chance, I spotted Angharad Rees in one episode called "Once the Killing Starts". She has a major part in the episode but I didn't recognise her at all in Poldark that I saw afterwards because she looks so different. In this episode she plays the student lover of a college Professor who has murdered his wife. She's in modern 70's clothes and has quite a posh RP accent. It's not worth getting the Thriller boxset just for that one episode - which isn't the best episode anyhow... but if you like "Tales of the Unexpected" 70's hokey type drama then it's worth a look. Assuming you can get it for under 40 quid. There are lots of hours worth of drama in it.