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The Red Riding Trilogy
Based on the novels by British author David
Peace, The Red Riding Trilogy has been successfully transformed
into three made for TV movies which stars Sean Bean, Andrew Garfrield,
Paddy Considine, Warren Clarke, Peter Mullan, David Morrissey, Maxine
Peake, Eddie Marsan, Gerard Kearns, Daniel Mays, Rebecca Hall and Mark
Addy. The screenplay was written by Tony Grisoni and in a similar vein
to Australia's Underbelly series, each of the three movies is
directed by a different director which include Anand Tucker, Julian
Jarrold and James Marsh.
The story spans two decades that begin in the 1970's and move to the
80's in a realistic attempt to show the grim and gritty world of the
dark side of not only the criminal underworld but also the corruption of
the police force. Set in West Yorkshire, these three movies involve a
wide gamut of topics from kidnapping to murder and conspiracy, each
overlapping with the larger story of the Red Riding Trilogy. With such
as a high quality cast and some impressive production values, this movie
is an extraordinary drama series that transcends many of police shows of
today and there was not one moment in the entire series that was a low
point.
In terms of the story, the first tale begins in 1974 which centers
around crime report Eddie Dunford who becomes enthralled in the criminal
underworld , including the corruption of the police force that has him
investigating a girl who has gone missing. Director Julian Jarrold
really captures the harsh climate of Britain in the 70's that makes it
easy to become lost in the story. The next tale is set in 1980 and it
appears that things have gotten worse within the police force and with
their years of being unchecked have made them even more brazen than
before.
As women are being murdered by a man dubbed the Yorkshire Ripper, Peter
Hunter (Paddy Considine), a Manchester police officer has been sent to
investigate his rogue buddies and in caught in a deadly world where he
cannot trust or turn to anyone. The last film is set in 1983 and mimics
the kidnappings of the girls from 1974, however the man who the West
Workshire Police thought was responsible has been in custody. This time
Detective Chief Superintendent Maurise Jobson (Morrisey) becomes
involved in this puzzle, including solicitor John Piggot (Addy) and all
the questions from the previous two installments come crashing down in a
spectacular finale.
Masterfully directed by Anand Tucker, Julian Jarrold and James Marsh,
The Red Riding Trilogy is a twisted and dark journey into two worlds
that appear to as distinct as day and night, however both irrevocably
linked and rotten to the core. However, a few individuals struggle with
this world and through determination and human spirit, they manage to
overcome the odds which makes this series so compelling.
With cinematic like movie quality and Dolby Digital 5.1, The Red Riding
Trilogy is a high quality production that also comes with some
interesting featurettes of the "Making Of" and some deleted scenes from
the series. Definitely a series for those who like to think on a higher
level, recommended! |
