matthew_scott_7622690's profile

18 Messages

 • 

394 Points

Friday, January 28th, 2022

Closed

Answered

How to reinstate deleted miniseries?

Hi everyone, I noticed that the TV miniseries Red Riding (2009) has been deleted from IMDb very recently. The identifier was tt9789804. 

This work was a special sort of a work designed to fit both the definition of TV miniseries and movies. The three episodes were produced by the same team, using the same scriptwriter and cast but three different directors, and premiered on three sequential Thursdays in March of 2009 on UK Channel 4 TV (prior to international theatrical releases).

The point of the episodes, is that whilst all 3 are part of the same whole, one continuous story, each individual episode could be viewed on it's own as a complete work (although probably not the most rewarding way to watch it).

The miniseries thus represents an experiment with structure, and the Red Riding Series is both a miniseries and three films at the same time.

Prior to this week, I believe this was reflected accurately on the IMDb, each of the three episodes had a movie page (tt1259574, tt1260581, tt1259573, all still existing) and also the miniseries had a page (tt9789804), now gone.

Some comments from media at the time, on the nature of the structure:

"So the is-it-film-or-TV question vexes in the case of Red Riding. It is for all intents and purposes a television miniseries, cannily packaged as a respectable-director relay. But while the project is most rewarding when viewed in installments, nothing about it particularly screams "miniseries." The Atlantic 'Red Riding Trilogy': England at its Bleakest - The Atlantic

"Acting as an interlocking puzzle box, one that requires three attempts to fully solve, the trilogy forms a single cohesive narrative while enjoying a visually pronounced changing of times to reflect the nine year life span." 

"All of the pieces required to solve the puzzle are present from the very start, but at the time don’t seem telling; we thought it was far simpler at the end of 1974. 1980 and 1983 prove that no, we didn’t know the half of it." PopOptiq The Red Riding Trilogy - a pitch black and unforgetable tour de force - PopOptiq

"This is the sort of undertaking the UK's Channel 4 excels at, and is approached in the United States only by ambitious cable TV series. The experience could give you the impression that the three parts were filmed at separate times. The visual style proceeds from 16mm to 35mm to high-def video, different actors play some of the characters at different times, and there are three directors, each with a distinctive style. But that was all part of Channel 4's plan, and the completed trilogy aired in March 2009." Roger Ebert Red Riding Trilogy movie review (2010) | Roger Ebert

My view is that the miniseries page should be reinstated. Do people agree, and is there a way to do this?

Thanks for your time,

Matt

Oldest First
Selected Oldest First

Champion

 • 

16.4K Messages

 • 

352.1K Points

4 years ago

It is awkward to list three TV movies as well as a mini-series with three episodes if they refer to the same broadcasts and the same content.

That said, if there is no series page there is no place for series data such as a BAFTA for Drama Serial – which is currently listed on the first of the movies.

And on the other hand, if there were only a series with three episodes there would have been no place for these alternate titles.

18 Messages

 • 

394 Points

@Peter_pbn​ Thank you Peter, I hadn't realised it was nominated for best drama serial by BAFTA. My view was the situation where there were space for three movies and also separately the mini-series - the position from last week - was the right position to take.

The different listings should not necessarily be referring to the same release dates. For example in the UK Red Riding is listed as having two release dates (see below). I looked into this and on 28 February 2009 the entire work, all 3 episodes were shown together at the BFI's national film theatre in one day. This was followed by the work being broadcast as a miniseries on Channel 4. It is perhaps then not accurate that the individual movie listings are referred to as tv movies.

UK 28 February 2009 (London) (premiere)
UK 5 March 2009 

These 2 release dates could then be used for different listings. When the episodes were shown theatrically they can have their alternate titles and release dates on the individual listings, when broadcast as a miniseries they can have release dates listed there. At the moment all the data is simply jumbled up in the 1974 entry.

Is there any way to ask IMDb to resurrect the listing, and then I can have a go at de-jumbling all the data?

Champion

 • 

16.4K Messages

 • 

352.1K Points

Someone from IMDb should see your post within a few days.

Employee

 • 

18.4K Messages

 • 

322.9K Points

4 years ago

Hi matthew_scott_7622690 & Peter_pbn -

While there are compelling arguments for listing these films as part of a mini-series, our preference is to retain the long-standing listings as standalone film titles.  Therefore, the trilogy series title page cannot be restored and the titles should remain separate.