In 1849 young Franklin Blake returns to England from Italy to give sweetheart Rachel Verinder the moonstone, a diamond left to her by her late uncle, though the Verinders' butler Gabriel Betteredge tells him he believes it was obtained through murder. At Rachel's birthday party Franklin is annoyed that his cousin Godfrey Ablewhite vies with him for Rachel's affection but when a group of Indian musicians arrive another guest, Eastern expert Mr Murthwaite, tells Rachel they are in fact guardians of the moonstone seeking it return to its temple in India. Next morning the stone has gone and a year later has not been recovered with Rachel now refusing to see Franklin.
—don @ minifie-1