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

When I saw the words 'I felt uneasy' it made me realise that is exactly how I felt and I think it is in part due to the screenwriter Sarah Phelps, not a TV writer I admire.

I enjoyed it last night for all the reasons already given about, in particular, the excellent acting of Timothy Spall.
So far there haven’t been any violent scenes which usually put me off crime dramas so I will watch again tonight.
Presumably it’s on again next Monday and Tuesday.

It is easy to say I know these things happen but don’t want to watch——-This happened in my family a priest befriended my cousin whose husband had died He went to live with her in her bungalow and moved his family in She had terminal breast cancer. She ask to see me to tell me she had changed her will leaving him everything . I could not do anything she was so I’ll and so loved He renounced his religion as was not allowed to inherit as a priest
The rest is history

I watched it and the acting was brilliant. I will be watching more. Much as these programmes are sometimes harrowing we do need to be aware of some nasty people out there and make sure we are forewarned.

It’s worth persevering to the end - the last (court scenes) episode is very good.

Yes, too good to miss.
Classic drama at its best with superb actors.

I remember the case very well, but it still shocks me to see it acted out.

To all those sensitive souls who cannot bear to watch the remainder. You are missing out on a piece of good telly.
It happened, so accept the fact that there are evil people in the world.
Personally, I would have to know what happened to Ben. Why wouldn’t you.

I thought it was really well written and the acting was brilliant. I’ll be watching to the end.

I trudged through 'A spy among friends' this week as the actors in it are usually good- but oh my it was so utterly boring & slow i wish i'd not bothered- but by the time you get to about 3 episodes in you always see things through to end because of the time&effort you've already invested-& in the hope it will improve!😆So if it feels like its going downhill, switch off.I will next time.😄

It made me very uneasy but DH was determined to watch to the end and we will be watching the next episodes.
I can empathise with you, Fanny. When my gran died her bank and building society accounts were empty. Her house ancontents were left to someone in the family who she would never have done so of her own accordMy father worked on it for the family and found out who did it ,.He never had them prosecuted but things within the family shall we say were frosty.
My other Gran was the victim of a crook he made friends with her and she felt sorry for him and he realised she had Persian carpets and antique furniture she had inherited. Luckily one day my mum visited unexpectedly and saw him swopping a rubbish carpet for a Persian one. She reported him to the police the things he had taken all came back. My gran wasn't the only one he had been doing it to he was in a ring.

I enjoyed it and also felt terribly uneasy knowing it was based on a true story. I read the DT article, if this had been my family there is no way I could have watched from either side. I am assuming that all concerned will have family members who will not want to see any of it.
However it is so very useful and important that we are all reminded of our vulnerabilities to this type of person. Wolves in sheep’s clothing indeed.

Peter was murdered in 2015 and the trial was 2019

I don't remember the case at all, may not have lived in UK when it happened and had no idea it was a real life tale.
I thought it was very sensitively done and another credit to Timothy Spall, a great actor.

Doodledog

Of course they are. And younger people can be manipulated by other young people too. Manipulators/psychopaths walk among us - they don't have horns or obvious signifiers of ill intent - that's how they get away with it.

I don't remember the case either, and Mr D has just looked at me sideways, as he remembers it well, and doesn't understand how I missed (or have forgotten) it. Strange.

I didn’t remember it either, but when I saw the press reports and the photos of them looking so happy- i immediately remembered it.
Chilling

I read a brilliant article a few years back about high stake scams.
Apparently, extremely intelligent people are more easily scammed.
This is because they do not doubt their own opinions and intuition; whereas less intelligent people do.

The research was carried out because there was a high number of doctors being hit by similar scams.

It really struck a nerve as it’s actually happened in my own family.
One family member scammed another out of hundreds of thousands of pounds.
They also ripped off their own mother for her house.
I could tell you all sorts of things that happened.
He only just escaped jail.
I’m pretty certain that he’s a psychopath

We watched and will continue to watch. I don’t remember the actual case but saw it’s a dramatisation of real events.

Of course they are. And younger people can be manipulated by other young people too. Manipulators/psychopaths walk among us - they don't have horns or obvious signifiers of ill intent - that's how they get away with it.

I don't remember the case either, and Mr D has just looked at me sideways, as he remembers it well, and doesn't understand how I missed (or have forgotten) it. Strange.

It also illustrates that predators aren’t always wealthy, older men. As I pointed out on the HE thread, older people are often vulnerable and open to exploitation and manipulation by those much younger.

eazybee

An article in today's DT, by Jim White, who was taught by Peter Farquar at Manchester Grammar School, describes the feelings of Peter's brother Ian on watching the drama.

"They asked me afterwards what I thought (of the programme) and if I am honest, there was something I found uneasy about it." He continued " That's my brother up there.This is our life. It's our trauma turned into entertainment."
I think that was what made me stop watching, about halfway through.

Maybe you should have read all that Ian Farquar had to say.

"Peter’s younger brother, is hoping the new drama will serve as a warning to viewers.

Ian, 72, says: “Peter and Ann were not stupid people. Yet they were fooled by this man who was intelligent for evil purposes. Take care of your older relatives or if you’re living on your own – be very careful if somebody comes along.

“Who’s got their eyes on your wealth or anything else, they may want from you. We don’t want anyone to go through what we have gone through"

Enid101

I’ve just watched the first episode and didn’t know it was based on real life events. It was a difficult watch and I was gripped by the story and had no idea what would happen next. Won’t watch anymore though as Primrose53 has just given the ending away. Perhaps a spoiler alert needs adding to the title so others don’t have their viewing ruined.

It was one of the most publicised cases, not sure how you can have missed it. It has also been advertised outlining the whole story and not long ago there was another programme about this over a couple of evenings, so I am puzzled as to how you think I have “spoiled” it.

Very uncomfortable viewing, but so well acted. I can understand why Peters brother felt unable to watch, his brothers life made so public. However I will continue to watch.

An article in today's DT, by Jim White, who was taught by Peter Farquar at Manchester Grammar School, describes the feelings of Peter's brother Ian on watching the drama.

"They asked me afterwards what I thought (of the programme) and if I am honest, there was something I found uneasy about it." He continued " That's my brother up there.This is our life. It's our trauma turned into entertainment."
I think that was what made me stop watching, about halfway through.

I also watched a programme on the police investigation into this case and interviews with the real Ben. He was in the cells and subsequently charged and he came across as cool as a cucumber. Evil.

A picture of the real Ben. It’s uncanny.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12307513/Who-Peter-Farquhar-shocking-true-story-murder.html

Looking forward to watching this on catch-up, and yes, I remember the actual case going through the courts. Truth is very often stranger than fiction, and if this had been presented as the latter, I suspect it would have stretched credibility beyond breaking point. I'm also a big fan of Timothy Spall. Such a talented, versatile actor.

It’s so good to get a really well acted drama on tv even if the subject is grim. Anything with Timothy Spall in it is bound to be well done. He has lost a lot of weight, hasn’t he?
I was also intrigued to see Sheila Hancock, still acting at 90! Good for her.
I remember following the case at the time but had forgotten the details.

I’ve watched the first two episodes - will watch more tonight. It’s dreadful that’s it’s based on real life happenings - such an evil young man. But the acting is brilliant - Timothy Spall, Ann Reid, Sheila Hancock, and the actor playing Ben, Eanna Hardwicke. Good review in the Guardian -
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/jul/17/the-sixth-commandment-review-as-immaculate-a-piece-of-tv-as-you-will-ever-see