THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT

UK, 2023, 4 X 60 minutes, Colour.

Eanna Hardwicke, Timothy Spall, Anne Reid, Connor MacNeil, Adrian Rawlins, Amanda Root, Sheila Hancock.

Directed by Saul Dibb.

The Sixth Commandment is based on an actual case, that of Ben Field, initially making a very good impression, charming, befriending lonely people, caring for them, but all the time sociopathic behaviour, narcissistic, exploiting those whom he befriended, is one changing their wills, his medicating them, their deaths. Ultimately, the cases were investigated, Ben Field arrested, charged, found guilty.

This is a powerful recreation of two of the stories, Timothy Spall excellent as Peter, a lonely gay academic, and Anne read as Anne, lonely, Ben befriending her, manipulating her, responsible for her death.

While the supporting cast are very effective, the focus is on Eanna Hardwicke as Ben Field, a tour de force performance, always convincing, Connor MacNeil appears as Martin, the young man, also manipulated by Field.

The first episode tells Peter’s story, the second the story of Anne. The third episode shows the police investigations. The fourth episode has Ben Field in court.

Series was written by Sarah Phelps, BBC writer, responsible for several adaptations of Agatha Christie (including the strange ABC Murders with Poirot, played by John Malkovich, revealed to be a priest). The series was directed by Saul Dibb (The Duchess, Journey’s End, Suite Francaise).

A series to be recommended.

1. Based on actual facts? Miniseries treatment?
2. The title, the commandment rhyming with thrill? Kill?
3. The setting of the English village, homes, school, church, the police, the courts? The musical score?
4. Peter’s story, the performance by Timothy Spall, Peter’s life, age, living alone, quietly gay, the Internet and porn, his loneliness, going to the school, his speech and acclaim, his writing novels, keeping extensive diaries? Classes, Martin present, Ben arriving, almost taking over after being late, the quotes? The friendship with Ben, in class, his style, sharing with Peter, the visits, the walks, the mountain, the declaration of love, his continued care, Peter’s novel, Martin coming as a boarder, arranging the printing of the novel, the launch, Peter’s medical condition, Ben’s continued treatment, Ben and his concern, audience suspicions? Peter’s erratic behaviour, hospital, drinking, his death, the sadness? Ben and his eulogy in the church?
5. Peter’s brother and his wife, the bonds with Peter, their concern, the visits, believing Ben?
6. Anne’s story, neighbour to Peter, her dog in the street? Ben, friendly, the attack and their talking, his flattering her? her age, life and career, alone? Her niece and the visits, the family? Ben, growing friendship, moving in, the religious dimension, his alleged studies for priesthood, wearing the vestments in the house, giving communion? The messages on the mirror? Her medication, changing her will? The lease, busy, the phone calls? Anne and her illness, the institution, the discussions, Ben and his eulogy?
7. The focus on the investigations, the police and their personalities, the detectives, the chief detective taking over? Anne’s niece, the interrogations, the growing focus on Ben? Background to Ben Peter, Ian and his wife? The issue of the diaries, the search, and having taken some? Looking for clues? The persistent officer examining the documents? The charges? Ben getting out, his continued politeness, Martin and his fear, Ben controlling him?
8. The court, the detectives and their evidence, collecting the evidence, Ian and his wife, collaboration, Anne’s niece and her husband, disruption to her family life? Ben, acting the part, seeing him in flashbacks, his words, as defence that he was literary, imaginative, writing down the words rather than action? The rap themes, his denials?
9. The reconstruction of the death sequences and their impact?
10. The jury, Martin released, Ben guilty, Ian and his wife, reaction, 26’s niece?
11. The portrait of a psychotic, sociopath, charm, narcissistic, the evil that he brought on innocent people, exploitation?