The Sixth Commandment

A really good production based on the true story of an evil man and his accomplice. I wasn't aware of this case before seeing this but it's a pretty accurate encapsulation of the events.

Outstanding cast and well written script and, as it's filmed in and around Bath and Bristol, very familiar location filming for me. Tim Spall is as brilliant and understated as ever and the two perpetrators, whilst totally opposite in character, are superbly played.

The casting is absolutely perfect and there's little to criticise about the entire show other than that I'd like it to have been a little more detailed in terms of the evidence gathered by the police and the building of the prosecution case.

A dramatisation of actual events, the deaths of Peter Farquhar and Ann Moore-Martin, two mature residents and neighbours from the small village of Maids Moreton, who both died after meeting and falling in love with a younger man, one Ben Field.

Arguably the best drama of 2023 so far, it's been a little time since I've said it, but this is truly The BBC at its very best, this is an outstanding, uncomfortable, sometimes upsetting watch.

This story was big news when it broke, it never seemed to make any sense, what this dramatisation does, is give you an almost factual detail of events, I understand that much of it was obviously dramatised, but I think they've got the core essence of what happened.

It is remarkable just how much Eanna Hardwicke looks like the real life Ben Field. His performance here was quite exceptional, and whilst I will rave about Timothy Spall and Anne Reid, Hardwicke made the whole thing come to life.

Timothy Spall should win an award for his performance, he was incredible, Anne Reid also phenomenal.

Fantastic.

9/10.

I wasn't quite sure whether to watch this or not, as I had seen the disturbing documentary on the case that had been on television recently, so I thought I was too familiar with the story for it to have any real impact.

I was wrong. This is a great production, with top-notch acting and and a marvellous script that draws you into the story and brings to life all the information that was contained in the documentary and enhancing it. I was thoroughly engrossed throughout the four episodes and the case gets more chilling the more you learn about it.

So, even if you may already feel your over-familiar with this horrific tale, I recommend that you give this series a go and it will not disappoint you.

I can't remember having watched such compelling drama in a very long time. The pacing is superb - a slow ratchet towards the climax of the jury's verdict.

What makes it work is a combination of brilliant performances and scripting together with the constant, horrible knowledge that this is a true story. This may be Timothy Spall's greatest performance in a splendid career, which is saying something. Every actor, though, delivers, even those in the minor roles.

One unusual achievement of this four parter is a shift in style. It begins as an indescribably tense psychological drama, rather like The Talented Mr Ripley. In part 3 it shifts to more of a police procedural, but manages to maintain the tension.

You will almost not want to watch, but find yourself compelled to. At the end I found myself exhausted and, I'm not ashamed to say, with a tear in my eye.

Wow, wow and more wow.

You watch Timothy Spall in something and go...what a good performance...and then you watch this. Wow! It has award stamped all over it.

Anne Reid, who I think is one of the UK's much underrated actresses, shines like a supernova in her portrayal of Anne.

Éanna Hardwicke? Yes, I know. I haven't heard of him either. Wherever he's been hiding then this superb creepy, manipulating, hazy devil's portrayal is absolutely top notch and you should be seeing more of him no doubt.

The remainder of the cast put in fabulous performances in this four part excellently written and paced "true story".

You MUST watch this. This makes the Licence Fee top value.