The Shadow in the North (2007) (TV)

Director:

John Alexander

Writers:

Adrian Hodges (screenplay)
Philip Pullman (novel)

Release Date:

15 September 2007 (Hungary)

Genre:

Adventure

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Philip Pullman

Cast

Jared Harris	...	Axel Bellmann
Doña Croll	...	Nellie Budd
David Harewood	...	Nicholas Bedwell
Hayley Atwell	...	Rosa Garland
JJ Feild	...	Fred Garland
Matt Smith	...	Jim Taylor
Billie Piper	...	Sally Lockhart
John Standing	...	Webster Garland
Antonia Pemberton	...	Miss Walsh
Owen Roe	...	Bram Stoker
Julian Rhind-Tutt	...	Alistair MacKinnon
Richard Clews	...	Mr. Windlesham
Phil Cornwell	...	Harris
Peter Whittington	...	Society Gentleman
Jack Brady	...	Sackville

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

UK:12 (DVD)

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Movie Connections:

Follows The Ruby in the Smoke (2006) (TV)

Hmm...oddly unengaging considering the good story and talent

In the second in Philip Pullman's Sally Lockhart trilogy, his heroine Sally Lockhart, parentless and alone, has found a ramshackle, surrogate family in Fred Garland's photographer-cum-private investigator, his uncle, and cheeky cockney Jim Taylor. Protected by her enormous hound, Chaka, she is now a financial consultant, using the patchy education her father had given her to advantage and staunchly defending her independence in Victorian London. The story kicks off with two events: one of Sally's clients explains that she has been ruined by the failure of a business she invested in on Sally's advice. At the same time a magician named McKinnon seeks Fred's help as he believes he has witnessed a murder. These circumstances combine to make a thread that leads straight to a dangerous businessman and sinister work in a factory in the north, and great danger for all of Sally's friends.

I'd really enjoyed "The Ruby in the Smoke", the first of the adaptations of the brave and modern Sally Lockhart trilogy, when it aired on British TV last Christmas. I was very excited to hear a sequel was planned; thought the chemistry between the radiant Billie Piper's Sally and J J Field's pleasing Fred Garland had worked well, and the stories are strong base material, even if squished into a TV slot.

But...maybe it was watching this with my parents when it aired over New Year on British TV - but I found this strangely detached, even a bit mechanical. This time round the leads' chemistry seemed to be absent, the script dry, the story rushed (as was the previous one) - the relations between the characters insufficiently explained. Considering we'd had to wait a year for this one, I was a bit disappointed. Perhaps the aim was to make a classroom-suitable programme for Victorian History lessons? - if so, why air it post watershed?

I wouldn't mind watching it again to find out whether it was just a false first impression. Sally is the Victorian heroine girls need today; I've got a lot of time for both leads; the baddie, Bellmann, was quietly menacing; and I admire and respect the thoroughly enlightened casting policy, which reflects British society today in a way which you'll see in very few other historical TV shows. Bravo for this at least. It also looked amazing, packed with great period details. If they make it to the third in the trilogy I'd be very surprised, but would hope that they can find a way to better draw out the drama and excitement. Meanwhile, the excellent original books are a must if you enjoyed this even a bit.