Sally Lockhart Mysteries - Ruby In the Smoke (Masterpiece Theatre)

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Starring: Billie Piper; Matt Smith (XXXII); Sian Thomas; Kay Lyon; Robert Putt; Trevor Cooper; Robert Glenister; Dominic Coleman; Miles Anderson; Tilly Vosburgh; Chloe Walker (II); Julie Walters; JJ Feild; Ramon Tikaram; Matthew Cureton; Tom Davey; Don Gilet; David Harewood; Kevin Harvey (III); Jason Chan (II)
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Type: DVD
Directed By: Brian Percival
Studio: WGBH BOSTON
Release Date: 2007-04-24
Fearless young Sally Lockhart (Billie Piper, Doctor Who) has a mind for numbers and for sleuthing, and in Phillip Pullman’s quartet of novels, set in Victorian London, she is put through the paces of melodrama and mystery. In this vivid adaptation of the first book in the series, recently orphaned Sally Lockhart, armed with a pearl-handled pistol and her keen mind, uncovers the secrets of her father’s death aboard the sunken schooner Lavinia, discovers hidden cursed jewels, and faces England’s deadliest villains with bold courage. Sally’s friends, the street-smart Jim and besotted photographer Frederick, help her expose the truth - no matter how dangerous. Sally navigates through the constantly twisting plots with the savvy dexterity of a sharp-eyed detective.

Another Spunky Pullman Heroine
Interested in this because it was by Philip Pullman, author of The Golden Compass, etc. This is a video based on the 1st of a trilogy of books. Both the story and the production were very good. It has a very sophisticated plot, with many twists and turns.

saw part on TV and had to have it
we saw part of this on TV and had to have it. Part of a series based on three books. Hoping they will do the third one soon

Introducing the Victorian Nancy Drew.
"The Ruby in the Smoke" is adapted from the first book in "The Sally Lockhart Mysteries" series, written by Philip Pullman in the 1980s and 1990s to recall the style of Victorian penny dreadfuls. Indeed, as a I watched this film, I wondered if it had been written at the time it takes place, the 1870s. With its intrepid but pure young heroine, handsome men always quick to help her, opium dens, Dickensonian children, haggish villainess, and an improbable and labyrinthine plot in which key action is not always depicted, this story has the hallmarks of hacks and cheap Victorian melodrama. Maybe there is a little modernization: I doubt that Victorians would have jumped to hire a teenaged female accountant -because she is a woman, whereas now she would be dismissed for being young.

"The Sally Lockhart Mysteries" take themselves seriously enough that they don't fall headlong into camp. Even if nothing is quite believable, it is at least plausible in principle. I'm not sure who the audience is for a Victorian shilling-shocker these days -older children or adults- but these are good fun if the audience doesn't try to make anything more of them. Sally Lockhart is a woman in her late teens with little in the world to her name since her father died. Having been a shipping agent and minor adventurer, Captain Lockhart imparted to his daughter three skills: he taught her how to shoot a pistol, how to speak Hindustani, and how to keep accounts. Now the young lady is adrift in London with this odd combination of talents, with which she must make a life for herself.

"The Ruby in the Smoke" finds Sally (Billie Piper) mourning the loss of her father at sea. She receives a cryptic note about which she consults her father's business associate, who proves less than helpful, as he promptly dies. But an assistant at the Lockhart & Shelby shipping firm, Jim Taylor (Matt Smith), has overheard her conversation and pledges to help Sally solve the mystery. A Major Marchbanks (Miles Anderson) gives Sally a diary containing the story of how he acquired the brilliant Ruby of Agrapur years before and a riddle to where it is hidden now. But, before dying himself, he warns Sally that a ruthless woman named Mrs. Holland (Julie Waters) will be in pursuit. A chance meeting with dashing and kind photographer Frederick Garland (J.J. Feild) brings Sally another much-needed ally.

DVD aspect ratio ???
I've seen this on pbs and it was wide screen. Amazon lists this dvd version as 1.33:1. PBS lists it as 4x3 letterbox. Other places list it as just "widescreen" Does anyone have the correct aspect ratio for this release? BTW, excelent movie as far as those masterpiece things go. Much faster pace and not at all boring like others.

Ruby & Smoke
My wife and I really enjoyed this DVD. The acting is great. The filming is well done too. However, there seemed to be a few disconnects in the story, but we liked it so much overall thst we plan to go back to see what we missed.