The Sixth Commandment

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.

This is a brilliant film based on real events.

A couple of decent elderly people who are lonely are befriended by a young male who apparently uses his charms to get into their heads.

He uses his physical attributes in a way to benefit himself to the detriment of the victims.

It is a 4 part series and a excellent production and direction.

More or less every single one in this show gives a show stopping performance.

The way the story is presented is magnificent. The characters reveal their goodness, badness and evil.

Nuanced characterizations are so well done!

It is a lesson to us all about the extent to which someone can be so wicked:

9/10.

To be transparent I live in Maids Moreton and both victims were near neighbours of mine. Many people here viewed this upcoming drama with a certain degree of trepidation as to how this extraordinary and shocking story would be told.

I think the producers have managed to create something that showed a lot of regard for the victims and it is not sensationalised, for that they should be congratulated.

If I were to make any criticism it is that both Peter and Ann's lives were shown only through the prism of their surviving relatives and it didn't show that, whilst to a certain degree they were private, they did engage with the local community, especially Peter. It was also not clear on the timelines involved sometimes as to the sequence of events and how long a period had elapsed between Peter's decline and death and Ann being taken to hospital. However, I am guessing there were lots of things not included due to time constraints and some were frankly too upsetting to cover.

I feel it would also have been better to have included a bit more backstory on Ben Field and his sidekick Martin...

Sadly this is based on a rather horrible case that viewers in the UK will almost certainly remember. Its written by Sarah Phelps, well known for her series of Agatha Christie adaptations on the BBC in recent years. It was made with the full permission of the victim's families.

Its a quietly effective and moving drama which is a sometimes difficult and uncomfortable watch. Very well-written and made.

The use of hand-held camera gave it a documentary feel at times. For me it was very much an actor led piece and this is its greatest strength. The three principals, Tim Spall, Anne Reid and Eanna Hardwicke all deliver big time with understated and nuanced performances.

One of the strongest UK dramas of 2023.