Red Riding: The Year of Our Lord 1974
Red Riding: The Year of Our Lord 1974

Red Riding: The Year of Our Lord 1974

2009Movie106 minEnglish

Yorkshire, 1974. Fear, mistrust and institutionalised police corruption are running riot. Rookie journalist Eddie Dunford is determined to search for the truth in an increasingly complex maze of lies and deceit surrounding the police investigation into a series of child abductions. When young Clare Kemplay goes missing, Eddie and his colleague, Barry, persuade their editor to let them investigate links with two similar abductions that draw them into a deadly world of secrecy, intimidation, shocking revelations and police brutality.

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Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes86%
Metacritic77/100
Google Users84%
Director: James MarshGenres: Crime, Drama, Thriller, Mystery

Plot Summary

In 1974 Yorkshire, a young, ambitious detective is drawn into a dark investigation of child abduction and murder. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a complex web of corruption reaching high into the police force and local government. The case becomes increasingly dangerous as he realizes the sinister forces at play are determined to protect their secrets at any cost.

Critical Reception

The film was generally well-received by critics, praised for its atmospheric tension, strong performances, and intricate plotting. Reviewers often highlighted its bleak portrayal of institutional corruption and the psychological toll it takes on those involved. Some found the narrative challenging to follow due to its complexity and the interconnectedness with other films in the 'Red Riding' series.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its gripping atmosphere and unsettling realism.
  • Acclaimed for its strong performances, particularly Andrew Garfield.
  • Noted for its intricate, albeit sometimes dense, narrative structure.

Google audience: Audiences appreciated the film's dark and suspenseful storytelling, finding it to be a compelling and well-acted crime drama. The complex plot and mature themes were generally well-received, though some viewers found it to be quite bleak.

Fun Fact

The 'Red Riding' trilogy, of which this film is a part, is based on the novels by David Peace, which themselves are inspired by the real-life Yorkshire Ripper investigations.

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