Customer Reviews

Red Riding Trilogy [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's not often that I watch British movies, so I was surprised at just how good this made-for-TV film was. English writer David Peace published a four-edition book about serial murders and police corruption in Britain. The books were adapted into three movies for British television, and while the crimes that take place are real, the stories are fictional.

What attracted me to the 1980 installment in the trilogy was that it starred British actor Paddy Considine, who I became an instant fan of after watching PU-239 (The Half Life of Timofey Berezin). Paddy is terrific as Peter Hunter, a police officer brought on to help with an unsuccessful investigation of a serial killer.

What I liked about the film is that it wasn't particularly fast-paced nor suspenseful like some American crime dramas, but a slow, building tension that really delivered by the film's conclusion. The cinematography was great, with cold and rainy scenes giving it a bit of a film noir vibe. I absolutely loved the movie's score, which was haunting and beautiful.

Remember, this is a made for television movie, not a big-budget blockbuster. So if you're expecting a movie in the vein of Seven, that's not what you'll be getting. What you can expect is amazing acting by an experienced cast, bubbling tension, and a surprise ending.

As far as Red Riding 1974 goes, I've been a fan of British actor Sean Bean since his breakout role as IRA soldier Sean Miller in Patriot Games. While he doesn't get much screen time in this particular film, he's representative of the top-notch casting. The film has an incredibly experienced cast of talented British actors, which makes 1974 a real treat. The standout performance in this film is definitely Rebecca Hall's portrayal of Paula, the mother of a slain child. While she didn't get to demonstrate her acting chops in Frost/Nixon (as love interest to David Frost), she's given plenty to work with in 1974.

Much like Red Riding: 1980, the film stars very slow, and patiently comes to a rolling boil by the conclusion. I also loved the lighting used as the film progressed, particularly a dinner party scene with shades of Eyes Wide Shut. What's interesting is that the movie was shot on 16mm film that was often used in the 70's, so a genuine period vibe is established. 1974 isn't the same quality as Red Riding: 1980, but a film you should check out if you like conspiracy movies.

I have eagerly awaited the arrival of the "Red Riding" trilogy on DVD for some time. Something about the concept and execution of this project appealed to me in theory, and I must say that I was not let down! An ambitious British TV adaptation of several David Peace novels, the trilogy is filmed as three separate works with three separate directors. Several characters overlap and unify the films which center on a rural police force that has its own way of getting things done. Hard-edged and brutal, each chapter set in a different year (1974, 1980 and 1983) can stand alone--but together, this is a remarkable and affecting piece of work.

In "1974," Andrew Garfield (soon to be Spider-Man) plays a fledgling crime reporter hoping to make his name investigating a trio of local child murders. An affair with one victim's mother and some misdirection from local law enforcement lead him to confront a prominent citizen. He soon becomes the hunted as he doesn't know when to stop his search for the truth--and he may have to pay the ultimate price. In "1980," Paddy Considine plays a by-the-books cop brought in to re-investigate a serial killer case that has gone on for far too long. When it appears that one of the victims is not a part of the chain, this leads to another line of inquiry that may implicate several officers in police misconduct. And in "1983," David Morrissey (who has played a small role in the other films) steps to the forefront as lead inspector when another child abduction echoes the case that was solved in "1974." Reopening the case upsets old festering wounds and soon the truth about the crimes, cover-ups, and corruptions of the last 10 years come to a heated conclusion.

Garfield and Considine are terrific in "1974" and "1980" respectively. Each represent the moral center of a conspiracy that neither can control--and each is ultimately undone by the pursuit of truth. Both of these strong films would rate as 4 stars for me. It is in "1983," however, where things really start to get tied up and the knowledge of the previous films really enhance the series overall. Morrissey is absolutely devastating dealing with his own past corruption. As the facts about the child abductions and murders start to become clear, and several minor characters step up in surprising ways, the "Red Riding" trilogy becomes an extremely powerful examination of redemption. The 5 star finale left me thoroughly upset and disturbed--and the haunting tone of the film's final sequences will stay with me for a long time. An absolute recommendation, this is thought-provoking and adult entertainment--an experiment that worked exceedingly well. Two good films and one great one are made even better when seen in their totality! Don't miss it. KGHarris, 9/10.

I love this series. I own the original UK version. But I must admit. If you have not read the original novels--you will be adrift. Not through lack of film/adaptation quality--but through accents which render much of the dialogue un intelligible to US audiences. Accents are sometimes so thick (especially first segment 1974) that plot development is a Muddle. I can only hope that Blu Ray of this incredible series includes English subtitles--to make the series right. Not the first time that BBC series left off the obvious-subtitles. But this time--so necessary. Whether Rankin/Peace or other same such--no one should think that we USA'ers can understand dialects--even tho we have read the originals.

I had read a NYTimes article about this British made-for-TV three part series, and being a fan of film noir was intrigued. Happily, although obscure, all three parts were available on my system's OnDemand option. About eight hours later, over two days, I was still reeling.

There is a continuous story-line, and a few characters who appear in two or three parts, but each section can also stand alone. The tonality remains the same, the abusive environment of Northern England over a fifteen year period. Some scenes are absolutely riveting, which in this case means both difficult to watch and brilliantly achieved.

Performances are so good. Nevertheless, an actor in Part 1 made quite an impression on me. Looked him up and saw that this young British performer is named Andrew Garfield. That was about eight months ago. "Going to keep an eye out for him" I thought. Last month, in one of those major Hollywood searches, Mr Garfield was selected over a number of bankable US stars to take over the lead role in SpiderMan!

Red Riding is the title of a trilogy of films about the events surrounding the murder of both children and women in Yorkshire, England in the 1970's. The films are by three different directors, each of whom presents the events from a journalistic, law enforcement, or legal perspective. The films reveal the details in bits and pieces and they should be viewer chronologically so the details will make sense. I appreciated the variety of characters and motivations for the actions of individuals in the films. By the end of the last film, I felt I understood how everything in these complex , absorbing films was connected.

'This Is The North, We Do What We Want', so says the policeman in West Yorkshire, England, town of Leeds. What we have here is a trilogy, 3 films of the times, 1974, 1980, and 1983 in this town and the tale of murders of young girls.

Most of the trilogy is about the corrupt police, botched investigations, the brutality and seemingly senseless mayhem that occurs during these nine years. In 1974, it seems the Ripper, aka 'Jack the Ripper' was out and about committing rape and murder of young girls, The public becomes distraught at the inept police force, but they are unable to move on it because of fear. A young reporter Eddie Dunford played by Andrew Garfield, takes on this world. From what Dunford can see, the police are too compromised to catch anyone. And it seems so corrupt that they influence everyone around them.

In '1980', the Ripper is still at work. The Home Office sends an inspector from Manchester to find the killer and clean up the mess in the police department. Peter Hunter played by Paddy Considine is an experienced detective. However, he has personal and family issues that keep interfering. The 'Ripper; is caught but disclaims knowledge of certain murders, which it appears the police were committing under the guise of the Ripper. Peter Hunter is caught in this maze and does not fare well.

In 'Red Riding: 1983' the deaths of the past decade sickens one of the police higher-ups, Maurice Jobson played by David Morrissey. He has been in on the fix all along, and undergoes a gradual awakening. He is joined in the fight by a shabby lawyer, John Piggott, played by Mark Addy, a hard drinking failure who is stricken by his own family connection to the Yorkshire violence. Into this mix and seen throughout the three films, but unable to reveal what he knows, we finally hear the hustler, B.J., played by Robert Sheehan. He witnessed some of the crimes, and narrates some surprises. The cycle of murder and corruption is brought to a close.

The first part of the trilogy was difficult for me to understand, some of the accents were difficult to follow and the storyline did not make sense. It took the second trilogy 1980 and 1983 to clarify the stories. Some of the same players follow throughout all of the trilogy. The greed, brutality and corruption is difficult to take at times. Could this really occur in any town, at any time? The direction and acting are exceptional. Each of the trilogies has a new director, but somehow the storyline was kept very recognizable. The innocents are given their day, and the true heroes are found.

Highly Recommended. prisrob 09-19-10


Boy A

PU-239

Finney

The series is dark and sombre and thrilling. It draws you in and makes you care about the characters. The acting and plot line are thoroughly believable.

Oh my, quality film-making at its best! Screenplay, outstanding! Acting, outstanding! Script, outstanding! Cinematography, outstanding! Sound track, outstanding! I watched the first installment, and was impressed and at the same time, expecting a let-down from the second as often happens; but no! A great follow up! Then I was just blown away by the third movie where everything comes together. All of the plots and sub-plots knit together so neatly that the only words I have to describe it is pure genius. Take heed, this trilogy will drag you through the seedy, insidious dark-side of the human psyche. Not for the prudish, adult themes are portrayed. My only regret is that I can't watch it for the first time again! A huge wow of a movie series!

good stuff overall--nicely noir without trying too hard

some definite negatives:
-frantic flash forwards/backwards make it a challenge to follow unless you've read the book
-dialect is dense and unintelligible frequently

HOWEVER: great acting and writing--it's worth it but read the books first even though then you'll be thinking how much better the books are

p.s. see Rebecca Hall here then see her in Starter for Ten and The Town--she's good!

It's difficult to impart just how good this is.

This is a trilogy made for British television based on a 4 book series by author David Peace. The books are said to be loosely based (very loosely) on the case of the Yorkshire Ripper. Though this is made for TV, at a glance, you wouldn't guess it. In U.S. television the made for TV movies have a rhythm that allows for commercials every "X" minutes. As the Brits don't need to bother with such things this is paced like a theatrical release and it's great.

Young girls disappear, are found dead with evidence of sexual assault and other craziness. A young Turk reporter is on the case and realizes all is not as it seems and begins to uncover corruption at very high levels.

This shows a very casual authority in it's making. Everything is just right. The shots are always framed and set up well. It's edited well and it doesn't seem forced at all. Plus, the director isn't "grinding it out." He'll take a minute to put in a shot that sets a flavor. He doesn't work as though every shot is a slave to the script. On that note: Each of these movies is helmed by a different director and all do a fine job. As others have noted, this isn't big, slick, in your face Hollywood fare. This is a quieter, more natural feeling ride through the investigation.

My only qualm would be with the sound. I don't know if was the mixing or the thick British accents but I missed more than I should have in the dialogue and really had to strain to keep a handle on things. The third film of the three, which revisits the first part of the story, threw me a bit because of this. I had a difficult time hearing things and I'd forgotten some of the important names so I did get more than a bit lost in the story.

This is great stuff and should hold up under repeat viewings. If you're at all a fan of British investigative dramas like Prime Suspect, then you should enjoy this. It is everything prime suspect is and more.