Not Your Kid's RED RIDING Hood

IFC Film's "Red Riding Trilogy" is a trio of films set from the mid-70s to the mid-80s based on the events surrounding the Yorkshire Ripper as depicted in David Peace's series of Red Riding novels.  Two of the three films are playing at the Magic Lantern this week. The Lantern is screening the first two films in the series, "Red Riding (1974)" and "Red Riding (1980)."(More)
It should be noted the second book in the series, "Red Riding (1977)," has not been produced as a film.

The first film starts out as most crime dramas do. Eager, young reporter Eddie Dunford  (Andrew Garfield) is assigned to the story of a girl who disappeared and has now reappeared dead, with angels' wings affixed to her back. As Dunford's investigation progresses, he encounters a police department rife with dubious characters who, more often than not, take matters into their own hands, hands for the most part sullied with corruption. Eventually, a suspect is found and forced into a confession for a crime he may not have committed.

To find out, you'll have to go and catch the film. "Red Riding (1980)" expounds upon the events that take place in the first installment of the series.

Todd McCarthy of Variety summed up his opinion of the film as:

The cumulative impact of "Red Riding," adapted with great finesse by Tony Grisoni ("Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," "Tideland"), is weighty, depressing and confounding: Can human nature be this bad or is it just the way the material has been shaped and slanted? How could England fall so far in a single generation, from one that stood up to Hitler to another that kills its own without blinking, and lacks the official will to deal with it?

And Ann Hornday of the Washington Post says:

Fans of Peace's books should be satisfied by their treatment here, although it bears asking just how many more serial killers, tortured cops and pretentious, fetishistic acts of violence the film audience can withstand. 

Rotten Tomatoes has the Red Riding Trilogy currently at a very high 85%.

 Showtimes can be found on the Magic Lantern's Web site.  Below you will find a few trailers to whet your appetite, one for each of the two shows currently playing at the Magic Lantern.

Red Riding (1974) Tailer



Red Riding (1980) Trailer