Watch Red Riding: 1974

In 1974, Yorkshire was shaken by the brutal murder of a little girl. The local press quickly nicknamed the killer "The Yorkshire Ripper." It's against that backdrop that the movie Red Riding: 1974, directed by Julian Jarrold, takes place. The protagonist, Eddie Dunford, is a young and ambitious journalist who's just been appointed to the crime desk of a local newspaper. But when a little girl, Claire Kemplay, is found brutally murdered, Eddie senses that there might be a larger story at play.

As he dives deeper into the investigation, Eddie starts to uncover a sordid web of corruption and deceit that extends from the highest levels of the police department to the local real estate developers. Along the way, he meets a cast of characters that includes the enigmatic and fashionable Mary, who seems to be at the center of it all, and the hard-drinking and haunted police officer, Maurice Jobson.

Together, Eddie and Maurice work to try to get to the truth of what's really going on in the seemingly idyllic Yorkshire countryside. But as they get closer and closer to the truth, they find that the powers that be will stop at nothing to keep their secrets hidden.

At the same time, Eddie becomes embroiled in a passionate and dangerous affair with Paula, the mother of one of the murdered children. As their relationship develops, Eddie starts to see not just the depths of the corruption around him, but also the darkness within himself.

The acting in Red Riding: 1974 is top-notch, with Paddy Considine turning in a powerful performance as the tormented and tortured Maurice Jobson. Warren Clarke also shines as the gruff and no-nonsense police boss, who's just as likely to chew Eddie out as he is to help him with his investigation. James Fox is arguably the standout, however, as the mysterious and charismatic property developer, John Dawson.

The cinematography and visual style of the film are also noteworthy. There's a gritty and realistic feel to the movie, with plenty of handheld camerawork and naturalistic lighting. The Yorkshire countryside is also beautifully shot, with sweeping shots of fields and rural landscapes.

As a crime drama, Red Riding: 1974 is a tour-de-force. It manages to be gritty, suspenseful, and emotionally powerful all at once, weaving together multiple storylines into a cohesive whole that keeps the audience guessing until the very end.

Overall, Red Riding: 1974 is a must-see for fans of crime dramas and character-driven stories. The movie is the first part of a trilogy (the other two parts are Red Riding: 1980 and Red Riding: 1983), and while each installment stands alone, watching all three together offers a truly immersive and rewarding experience.

Red Riding: 1974 is a 2010 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.