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The Long Shadow (2023)

2023 · Biography,Crime,Drama · dramatized-true-crime, crime-procedural, historical-period

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The Long Shadow is a sombre, rigorously researched British true-crime drama recounting the Yorkshire Ripper murders of the 1970s and 80s through the lens of the victims and their families rather than the perpetrator. Its distinguishing creative choice — refusing to glamorise Peter Sutcliffe while centring the women he killed as fully human — is what reviewers praise most. The series is grounded in meticulous period production design, a restrained but devastating script by George Kay, and a heavyweight ensemble cast. It doubles as a systemic indictment of West Yorkshire Police's botched investigation and the institutional misogyny that shaped both the murders' duration and the media coverage. Viewers with personal memory of the era find it particularly affecting.

From the reviewers

The shows creators have made an admirable decision in approaching this story from the viewpoint of the women who were murdered and their loved ones and the botched investigation - rather than a re-enactment that gives face time to their twisted killer.
The intelligent script by George Kay was understated and let the power of the women's stories prevail as they should.
One of the best UK dramas of 2023 that raises many questions about male violence that are sadly just as valid today as they were in the 70's and 80's when these crimes took place.
Production values were very high, period detail was excellent and it was well directed with an excellent score.
Their antiquated index-card system is exposed as being wholly inadequate to cope with the threat of a serial-killer, as we learn that Sutcliffe was interviewed several times during the investigation with his recorded links to the murders buried away in mounds of paper-work.

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