The Sixth Commandment
The Sixth Commandment

The Sixth Commandment

2023TV ShowEnded1 SeasonEnglish

A series that dramatises the shocking story of the true-life murder of former Stowe schoolmaster and deeply closeted evangelical Christian, 69-year-old Peter Farquhar by his 28-year-old student and young churchwarden Ben Field in October 2015.

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Insights

IMDb7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes96%
Metacritic80/100
Google Users92%
Director: Paul WhittingtonGenres: Drama, Crime, Thriller

Plot Summary

This gripping drama miniseries chronicles the chilling true story of Ben Field, a charismatic but manipulative student who befriends his elderly neighbor, Peter Farquhar, and gradually manipulates him into leaving him his entire estate. The series delves into Field's calculated descent into murder and deception, exploring the psychological complexities and the devastating impact on the victim's family and friends.

Critical Reception

The Sixth Commandment was widely praised for its sensitive and unflinching portrayal of a disturbing true crime. Critics lauded the powerful performances, particularly from Timothy Spall and Anne Reid, and the meticulous direction that built suspense and emotional depth. Audiences were captivated by the true-crime narrative and the exploration of vulnerability and betrayal.

What Reviewers Say

  • A masterfully crafted and deeply affecting true crime drama.
  • Timothy Spall delivers a career-defining performance as the victim.
  • The series handles a sensitive subject with intelligence and restraint.

Google audience: Viewers were deeply moved by the tragic true story and praised the strong acting, particularly Timothy Spall's portrayal of the victim. Many found the series to be a thought-provoking and heartbreaking exploration of a real-life crime.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for multiple BAFTA TV Awards including Best Mini-Series and Best Actor for Timothy Spall. Also received nominations for RTS Awards.

Fun Fact

The series was filmed in various locations across the UK, including Cambridge, where the real events took place, adding an authentic atmosphere to the production.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Peter McGinn

Peter McGinn

I have pretty much stopped watching these British dramas based on real murder cases because, even though they are all separate cases, these investigations seem to often cover the same story arc. So they have little room for imaginative stor...