Red Riding Trilogy

aka: 1974, 1980, 1983
UK 2009, 295 minutes
Dir. Julian Jarrold, James Marsh, Anand Tucker
Rating: [R18]
Genres: Suspense/Crime, Television / Policier, Serial Killers

Feat. Sean Bean, Andrew Garfield, David Morrissey, Jim Carter, Maxine Peake, Sean Harris, Paddy Considine, Robert Sheehan

Aroview: David Peace’s gritty quartet of crime novels receive a stunning translation to the screen with this threesome of British detective thrillers, based around police corruption and unsolved serial killings in seventies Yorkshire.

Across three distinct chapters (1974, 1980, 1983), exemplary performances and moody production values combine with a riveting timeline that incorporates the Yorkshire Ripper manhunt and Thatcher political climate of the era. The trilogy’s cynicism and lack of glamour will appeal to fans of THE WIRE, although should be noted is otherwise distinguished by its sleazy, sinister atmosphere and utterly cinematic style, belying its made-for-TV origins. Best watched back-to-back.