The Shadow in the North (2007) (TV)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

John Alexander

Writers:

Adrian Hodges (screenplay)
Philip Pullman (novel)

Release Date:

15 September 2007 (Hungary)

Genre:

Adventure

Plot Keywords:

Philip Pullman | Based On Novel

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)

Great production!

I was somewhat worried that this episode might deviate too far from the original book, especially as "The Shadow in the North" is my favourite of the Sally Lockhart quartet. However, I was pleasantly surprised, it stuck extremely close to the book and really brought Philip Pullman's creation to life. The acting was superb, Billie Piper as the Financial Consultant-cum- detective Sally Lockhart was very convincing as the feisty, yet vulnerable young woman who is pulled into a dark underworld of corruption and murder. Equally, Jared Harris as evil tycoon Axel Bellman was great- understated yet chilling, just as Pullman envisaged him. I can't fault the script or pace of it either, it was gripping but managed to obtain the essence of dialogue/ storyline without leaving out anything significant, and some adaptations might tend to do. Overall, highly enjoyable and entertaining, a worthy adaptation of Pullman's great story!