The Red Riding Trilogy Stops at the NWFF on the Way to Grandmother's House

The Red Riding Trilogy is the British TV adaptation of David Peace's book series about power and corruption in Northern England in the context of several true-crime sprees (including that of the Yorkshire Ripper). Peace's four books have been turned into three episodes: 1974, 1980, and 1983. Why 1977 was skipped we'll never know.

Each episode runs about an hour and a half, featuring a different director and medium. 1974 was shot on 16mm by Julian Jarrold; 1980 was shot on 35mm and has more of a documentary feel, thanks to Man on Wire director James Marsh; 1983 was shot using a Red digital camera by Anand Tucker. After running on Channel 4 a year ago, they're getting the big screen treatment on this side of the pond.

There's recurring characters across the series, and like The Wire--though it's by no means as good as The Wire, duh--the focus is on the frustrations of conducting a police investigation, the frustrations of being a journalist, and the frustrations of living in an economically depressed area. And like The Wire, the Red Riding Trilogy badly needs some subtitles. I can barely understand your "English," Leeds!

If you can't watch all five hours this weekend, know that 1974 and 1980 can stand alone, while 1983 requires you to have watched the previous two parts, though there are flashbacks helpfully provided. That's kinda the problem with the conclusion of the Trilogy--with the amount of bureaucratic frustrations and plot twists and turns in the previous two parts, portions of 1983 are a little too rote, and if anything, not frustrating enough. I'd expect that only to get worse with Ridley Scott's planned American adaptation, assuredly starring the entire cast of Valentine's Day.

• All three parts of the Red Riding Trilogy screen at the Northwest Film Forum tonight through March 4th. Check the schedule to see what segment's playing when. Tickets are $6 NWFF members, $9 GA, and don't forget about half-price tix on Happy Mondays.