Finding tonight's play 'The Sixth Commandment' a difficult watch

Outstanding

I'm in episode one and so admore the sensitive acting by Tim Spall, The Ben character is played brilliantly too. I'm not sure how it can be a spoiler when it is a true story but I can't see how knowing the end would ruin it. Surely it's obvious where it's going? Anyway, I remember the story so well. Excellent reminder of how easy it can be to be manipulated.

My parents were part of the congregation at the church Peter Farquhar and Ben attended. They said that Ben was a very charismatic young man and Peter was a much loved member of their congregation. They were all horrified when they learnt of what had been happening, not it was not helped by the diocese having a meeting at the church and telling the congregation not to talk about the situation to anyone and not to even discuss it amongst themselves.

I watched episode 1 on catch up out of sheer curiosity. I will watch the remaining epis later.

I feel rather humbled because I am generally deeply cynical and derisory about people who fall for these kinds of romance con-trickery, thinking only a witless, gullible fool would be so easily taken in.

However, the writing and the acting here were so moving and told the story so well that I am starting to understand how an intelligent but desperately lonely and psychologically isolated person can be swayed into believing true love has come his (or her) way at last. Maybe we should all think, there but for the grace of God...

Charleygirl5

Primrose in the future have the decency to add a spoiler alert because you have ruined it for me giving the ending away.

I do not remember it at all. Timothy Spall really was excellent.

Well, I can’t help it if you don’t know that the 6th Commandment is “thou shalt not commit murder.”😯

As I said to someone else it is not the first TV programme about this case and it was SO heavily reported on at the time of the murders. TV, radio, newspapers, social media all covered it.

Just watching episode one.

It is very uncomfortable viewing, knowing the true story behind it.

The acting is superb.

Timothy Spall has always been an excellent actor from his days in Auf Wiedersehen Pet. He has been given some cracking parts in recent years.

I am very interested in this. A family member was a civilian forensic scientist who worked on this case, she has said she hopes they treat the victims sympathetically which I think so far they have.
I know her and colleagues worked night and day to provide evidence to bring the perpetrator to justice. It will be interesting to see the court case and how they show the evidence.

I met Timothy Spall when he was in Auf Wiedersehen Pet. He was lovely and very down to earth. He’s a wonderful actor and I hope he wins awards for his portrayal of Peter Farquhar.

Wow what a well acted second episode, Ann Reid playing a blinder there
It’s not a subject to enjoy but I m really enjoying the acting and the writing

DH and I are both incredibly moved and horrified by this, in equal measure. It's one of the most brilliant pieces of acting/writing we've seen for a long time and we are really shaken by it; even though we remembered the case, seeing it come to life like this is quite different to reading about it in a newspaper or watching an item on the tv news.

I couldn't bear to watch it.

I watched it tonight - with my stomach churning. It was such an uncomfortable watch, and though I am not a violent type, I just wanted to punch Ben's smug face! Excellent acting from all.

Read todays report by Lucy Manegan in the Guardian newspaper.

She explains it beautifully.

I'm fascinated by real life murder stories. This one is particularly good with great acting.
And it's a salutory warning to us to be careful who we trust.

I think this portrayal of the true story should be in with a chance of winning an award.
Superb.

It was miserable, dreary, verbose and boring, especially the church/sermon bits. I didn't realise it was another of these "true events" serials otherwise I wouldn't have watched. I don't get what's so fascinating about "true crime" - the outcome is alreeady known so why waste time watching it? It's like turning to the last page of a novel first.

Sounds good, I’ll watch it if we get it. I like the true crime dramas but always wonder how the people who have been involved must feel. It would be hard for them revisiting things.

JenniferEccles I totally agree one of the best written /acted plays I ve seen in a very long time it definitely deserves an award
Every one of the main actors is unbelievably real it’s a long time since I ve watched a drama and not had to rewatch it as
I ve felt myself nodding off but this is magnificent with the saddest of subject portrayed with such honesty and care No wonder the families were comfortable enough to say yes

If only every drama true or imagined was this good

Just watched the first two episodes on catch-up. Brilliant performances by Timothy Spall and Anne Reid in particular. The story is so sensitively portrayed too, which must be some comfort to the families involved. Such a chilling tale, of pure, unadulterated evil. That inhuman creature should never be released. Certainly the best drama DH and I have seen for some time. Totally engrossing. Final two episodes planned for tonight. Don't understand complaints about "spoilers". It's not fiction, and was not only massively reported at the time, but the TV drama has regenerated media interest, so the details are everywhere again.

Watched the first two episodes last night. I didn’t find it a difficult watch, tbh, though very sad.

Remember watching a documentary about it a while ago, how the truth came out. It was fascinating. I then recalled it being on the news at the time when Ben Field was convicted.

I thought he actually smothered Peter at the end, but that was not shown in this version, if that was what happened.

How did I manage to miss this when it happened? I have always followed the news, but can’t remember this case at all.

I watched some of the second part and again found it deeply uncomfortable to watch; the focus lingered too long on the quasi -sexual relationship with Anne Reid and presented no insight into Ben's character and motivation whatsoever; presented as far too bland and superficial.
Perhaps the remaining two episodes, presumably dealing with the investigation and trial, will expand on this.
I cannot get away from the fact that this is regarded by some as entertainment when it is dealing with harrowing and very recent family tragedies.

We watched the first episode last night, a brilliant performance by all. Goodness knows where or what I was doing when this actually happened as I don’t recall it.
Part two tonight.

I remember the actual documentary and how gentle loving and kind Peter was . I'm unsure what actual part or knowledge Martyn had ,I won't say , it's worth watching the documentary on channel 4 . But to meet pure evil , someone who seeks out good kind vulnerable people is definately something older people need to be wary of . Ben was liked by the church and community . These evil beings have no remorse or conscience. Their brains must be miswired