Red Riding: In the Year of Our Lord 1983
Dir: Anand Tucker
2009
****
The conclusion to the Red Riding trilogy goes back to the story first told in the first episode bringing the story back full circle. Familiar faces come back but most of the main players are missing. David Morrissey finally has the air time he deserves and is backed up by Mark Addy and Daniel Mays who are both brilliant in their roles. I have to say it's my least favourite of the three films. I don't know whether I was surprised by the conclusion or not, I think probably not but then most people have been either killed off or had moved on. It was confusing at times and hard to decipher what was flashback and what happened in 1983. Just like the other installments, it's directed beautifully and is still one of the best things to happen to British TV ever.
Red Riding: In the Year of Our Lord 1980
Dir: James Marsh
2009
*****
Red Riding - 1980 is a case of same characters different story. This time it is the Yorkshire Ripper that the Police are after, headed by the brilliant Paddy Considine and supported brilliantly by Tony Pitts who I think is under-sung in the series. The cast is great, aside from Considine though it is Sean Harris who steals the show as the terrifying Bob Craven, 100 times scarier than Peter Sutcliffe is portrayed. It is similar but also very different in its pace and tone compared to 1974 which I think was very well realised. It still looks great but it works as a stand alone film in its own right. This is a not to be missed trilogy.
Red Riding: In the Year of Our Lord 1974
Dir: Julian Jarrold
2009
*****
A dark, gritty and beautifully crafted thriller. Made for TV films aren't supposed to be this good, this is by far the best thing that's been on British TV for years and it has since opened the gates for other great dramas. The cast is perfect, the trilogy actually making a few people's careers. Loosely based on real events and with that very realistic British 1970's feel that they got down perfectly. I real thrill, part one of an unmissable trilogy.
