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394 Points
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





Peter_pbn
Champion
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15.7K Messages
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344.2K 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.
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Michelle
Employee
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18.2K Messages
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321.3K 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.
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