White House Farm

I watched this drama based on numerous recommendations, I wasn't familer with the crime myself. I found it thoroughly gripping, the acting is great and the cinematography is some of the best I've seen in a TV drama, it truly creates an atmosphere full of suspense. Unlike some of the reviewers, I didn't find this to be drawn out, I thought it were the perfect length to do justice to the story. I've since since done some research into the story and thought it was accurately portrayed and well told. This is one not to be missed.

The events at White House Farm were well documented, and notorious, who on Earth would have wanted to kill the five members of the family inside.

I would start by saying that six episodes is a stretch, it should have been done over four, it does lull a little in the middle. However it's dark, gritty and at times compelling drama.

There is a message up at the start saying that it has been dramatised, there are changes, but that's artistic license.

Freddie Fox is very good as Bamber, Mark Addy is the standout as Stan, he makes it. I adore Stephen Graham, but he is woeful in this, his accent is abysmal, at times he sounds ludicrous, why on Earth did they not cast Richard Harrington?

Ignore the ludicrous one star reviews, they obviously didn't bother watching it. 7/10.

Ignore some of the ridiculous, low-star reviews of this drama, they are written by Jeremy Bamber's "fans" and have nothing to do with the quality of the drama itself.

This is a powerful re-telling of the White House Farm murders in 1985, focusing mainly on the aftermath rather than the build up or the event. It is a slow-moving drama, but this is to its benefit in my opinion because it adds to the realism, and creates an atmosphere which is occasionally quite sinister.

Probably the opening episode is the weakest, but when Mark Addy appears as DS Stan Jones the story real takes off. Mark's naturalistic acting really hooks the viewer. Stephen Graham is a little wasted in a one-note part, playing the annoying DI Taff Jones who shouts and obstructs at crucial moments.

Apart from Mark Addy, other stand-outs are Alexa Davies who is consistently convincing as Jeremy Bamber's suffering girlfriend, Mark Stanley, who gives a powerfully sensitive performance as Jeremy's brother-in-law (just seeing him on screen is upsetting, and his final visit to Sheila's flat is heartbreaking) and, of course, Freddie Fox as the strange but charismatic Bamber. You can't keep your eyes of Fox, there is something magnetic about him here.

I have been perhaps generous with my rating as I find the case itself interesting, but I do think everyone involved has done a good job here. Despite the slow pace, 6 episodes is exactly right.

The ending is so sad, very hard to watch

Excellent TV drama and did the story justice. Don't be fooled by the low scored reviews, as it seems a lot of people do not realise that it's not meant to be an investigative documentary. It is a simply a drama based on the events. Well done to the entire production team and actors involved who approached this story with sensitivity and respect.

Overall a really interesting watch, albeit rather slow paced. I recommend adjusting the playback speed while watching if you need to.

Like another reviewer, I suspect there's some criticism of this drama driven by personal views of the actual case and subsequent conviction. As a stand alone crime drama I think it's very watchable. The acting is really pretty good with the conflict between the Stephen Graham and Mark Addy characters being especially riveting. A mention for Gemma Whelan too...understated but believable. So, make up your own mind....episodes 1 and 2 kept me very engaged. Hope it maintains its standard.