Mar. 2, 2009 at 4:30pm
AdaptationBBCBillie PiperBookBrideshead RevisitedThe DuchessDoctor WhoHayley AtwellPopstarPhillip PullmanThe Golden CompassSally LockhartReviewTV
The Sally Lockhart Mysteries: The Ruby in the Smoke Jaded fans rejoice; this is an adaptation worth your time. Once again, it seems the BBC has managed to pull off the impossible. Experts in tackling some of literature’s most loved tales, the folk at Britain’s esteemed studios have turned their hands to award-winning author Phillip Pullman’s popular Sally Lockhart Mysteries.Fans of Pullman’s work will need no background introduction, but even those less fervently devoted will no doubt recognise his name. Viewers of every nature will recall the name in association with that spectacular failure of Summer ‘07, The Golden Compass. Universally panned by critics, fans and just about anybody who paid the price of admission, the adaptation didn’t do those involved any favours - least of all the distributor, New Line Cinema, who as of February 2008 has been “absorbed” by Warner Bros.In the shadow of the big screen flop, the BBC’s re-imagining of The Sally Lockhart Mysteries (the quartet of novels penned by Pullman), was viewed with a certain amount of suspicion. When it was revealed that former pop sensation Billie Piper would helm the production as its lead, those suspicions only grew. Piper’s feisty turn as Rose in recent Doctor Who reincarnations, while impressive, hasn’t wiped away memories of her popstar past. Thankfully, the veteran entertainer proves second-guessers wrong, with a performance that’s both subtle and engaging. Keen viewers are treated to an early performance by Hayley Atwell (Brideshead Revisited, The Duchess) as Rosa Garlands.With its thoughtful execution and moody atmosphere, the BBC’s adaptation retains much of Pullman’s creative vision. This and its sequel, The Shadow in the North, are well worth a look.

The Sally Lockhart Mysteries: The Ruby in the Smoke

Jaded fans rejoice; this is an adaptation worth your time.

Once again, it seems the BBC has managed to pull off the impossible. Experts in tackling some of literature’s most loved tales, the folk at Britain’s esteemed studios have turned their hands to award-winning author Phillip Pullman’s popular Sally Lockhart Mysteries.

Fans of Pullman’s work will need no background introduction, but even those less fervently devoted will no doubt recognise his name. Viewers of every nature will recall the name in association with that spectacular failure of Summer ‘07, The Golden Compass. Universally panned by critics, fans and just about anybody who paid the price of admission, the adaptation didn’t do those involved any favours - least of all the distributor, New Line Cinema, who as of February 2008 has been “absorbed” by Warner Bros.

In the shadow of the big screen flop, the BBC’s re-imagining of The Sally Lockhart Mysteries (the quartet of novels penned by Pullman), was viewed with a certain amount of suspicion. When it was revealed that former pop sensation Billie Piper would helm the production as its lead, those suspicions only grew. Piper’s feisty turn as Rose in recent Doctor Who reincarnations, while impressive, hasn’t wiped away memories of her popstar past. Thankfully, the veteran entertainer proves second-guessers wrong, with a performance that’s both subtle and engaging. Keen viewers are treated to an early performance by Hayley Atwell (Brideshead Revisited, The Duchess) as Rosa Garlands.

With its thoughtful execution and moody atmosphere, the BBC’s adaptation retains much of Pullman’s creative vision. This and its sequel, The Shadow in the North, are well worth a look.