A string of murders that span two decades crops up in the corrupt town of Yorkshire, England. Feasting on kids and prostitutes, the killer(s) (depending on how you take the mysteries) strikes with a pattern, but without much warning. The police aren’t much help, neither are the papers, so individuals go against all forces to uncover what is really happening in Yorkshire.
Each story has a strong life of its own, though they are cleverly connected with each other.
Starting in 1974 where a young journalist named Eddie Dunford discovers some nasty dealings between a ‘mobster’ named John Dawson and the local paper and police. Dunford’s discoveries also lead him to a woman named Paula who is wrapped up in the mess thanks to the connection of her own child’s murder. Filmed with very gloomy, very noir locations and making no apologies for the content, the first in the three features hits hard. By the end of it you’ll feel like there are still holes in the story to fill, and thankfully you would be right. A little slow in some parts, but still good nonetheless.
The 1980 episode starts off with an officer named Hunter who is assigned to the Yorkshire Ripper case. The Ripper has killed prostitutes and toyed with the local police with clues that go nowhere. Regretfully, Hunter soon finds out there is more to the Ripper and a bigger mystery that uncovers possible corruption that will turn the Yorkshire police force upside down. Probably the most intense story out of the three, 1980 connects the Ripper murders to the finale of 1974 with journalist Eddie Dunford. What’s great about this feature is that you get to see how writer David Peace methodically put together this long series of stories with every intention of connecting them back together some way. The ending to this one may not satisfy everyone, but it certainly sets up the finale in 1983.
The last feature, 1983, wraps the entire trilogy up. I won’t go too much into this one because I think you should definitely go into it without any details. I will tell you this, 1983 wraps up holes left behind from 1980 and 1974. It will do such a good job at putting everything together that you’ll go back and watch the previous two, so you can catch certain things; clever stuff.
All of these put together equal a perfect story and one that probably represents Peace’s words to film pretty darn well. I know it always helps when you get an all-star cast that includes David Morrissey, Sean Bean, Andrew Garfield and Paddy Considine. Each person, especially Sean Bean, brings the goods in the worst way. I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen Sean Bean in a non-villain role, but I can say for certainty that his role as Dawson is probably one of the more terrifying I’ve seen in some time. The guy knows how to make you feel nervous as a viewer and he doesn’t disappoint in the 1974 feature. Anyway, it was all impressively acted, as you connect with all the characters pretty solidly.
The one drawback to this entire trilogy is that the subject matter isn’t the easiest to watch. Sure you’ve seen movies where children were victims and prostitutes were killed, but you haven’t quite been put in a more human situation like this. I’m not sure if it’s the three different directors that help contribute to it, but I am sure that you will get connected immediately to all the main characters and forced to live in the same world thanks to a very high production value. The combination of all of this will make you uncomfortable, but will keep you glued to the ongoing mystery.
Of course, to make this even more ‘real’ to the audience Red Riding comes to you on Blu-ray HD. Trust me folks, this isn’t Smallville on Blu-ray; it’s a very high-quality shoot with a wonderful transfer. The first film is shot on 16mm, which is amazing considering how gorgeous it looks in 1080p. The only exception to this would be when the scenes turn pitch black. During these moments you get a lot of grain, but they are few and far between. An example of this is when Dunford goes to see Dawson during a party he’s throwing and he’s creeping up through the dark to Dawson’s house. The black surrounding the side of his house and Dunford shows visible pixelation in the dark areas.
The second film is shot on 35mm film and looks just as good as you would think. Most films today are still shot on 35mm and they look gorgeous when they’re transferred. There really isn’t much flawed here, as the HD is high quality from beginning to end; almost no flaws.
The last film is shot on a Red One, which is one of the most beautiful HD cams on the market right now. It helps wrap up the entire series on HD and shows the more ‘recent’ of the years in the trilogy in nearly perfect HD.
So, overall you’re getting some really great HD, not completely perfect, but close.
As for special features, here’s what you’re looking at:
1974
– Julian Jarrold Interview
– Deleted Scenes
– TV Spot
1980
– Making of featurette
– Deleted Scenes
– TV Spot
1983
– TV Spot
– Making of featurette
– Deleted Scenes
Other features
– Making of featurette
– TV Spot
– Theatrical trailers
Overall, there isn’t anything special about these features. 1974’s features are good, but not great. It’s typical stuff that I’ve seen before in different ‘tv’ type releases. I know many other tv shows that have had more than Red Riding. For me the tv spots shouldn’t even be listed, as they don’t really count as anything particularly ‘special’. The deleted scenes are very good in each, but I understand why they were deleted. The real beef to these features are the very well put together ‘making of’ featurettes. Regretfully there isn’t one for the 1974 feature, but there is plenty for the others (and a sort of overall one).
The features do compliment the entire trilogy, but I wish there had been director/actor commentary, maybe other features that help give more insight about what went into the production at almost every level.