Rillington Place

Cannot believe anyone gave this less than 9/10! The suspense, mood, performances are the best thing I've seen for a very long time- including cinema, TV, or DVD. Samantha Morton & Tim Roth, whom I've long admired, are nothing short of superb in their understanding of the characters, their tenuous daily existence, the era in which they lived and their relationship. Samantha Morton's portrayal also speaks volumes about a 'woman's place' in society & in a marriage in those times. Tim Roth had me recognising the complete lack of emotion that Christie masked, READILY, with appropriate & socially accepted comments and lies; and the ability to portray himself as the victim, as employed by true psychopaths. This is deep and unnerving if you really think about it. Who lives next door to YOU?

Despite the reality based subject matter, this is not an exploitational movie. Viewers seeking violence and gore will be disappointed. For the rest of us, it's a study of evil - its existence, its manifestation, and its consequences for innocent and guilty alike. Superbly filmed with a first-rate cast. Roth's restrained delivery of a seemingly innocuous man who contains a monster will make your blood run cold.

Being a TV series Rillington Place can (and does) go into so much more detail. Unlike the film, this is also about the life of his poor wife Ethel and the ill-fated Timothy Evans. The squalid area of Notting Hill and the dimly lit streets, look like something out of the darkest Victorian times and the conditions are almost inhuman. The feel and vibe is very creepy and leaves a lot to the imagination, right up the the final third of the last episode (of three). Depressing but a gripping true story. Tim Roth is magnificent and Just like the original movie, this will burn deeply, disturbing your mind.

First off - Not as good as the Richard Attenborough 10 Rillington place but! A very haunting and somewhat more perverse idea. This is still a standalone shocker, less schlock but more psychological depth. Love this and the original, should I be concerned?

I have wondered for many years why there had been no attempt to retell the grizzly story of the goings on at number 10 Rillington Place. The fabulous 1971 version featuring the marvellous Richard Attenborough will live on as a classic forever. So once again, well done BBC for retelling a story in such a thorough and compelling way.

The three hour format worked well, it allowed the story to develop naturally, at no point did it feel rushed, each character was given time to deliver.

Tim Roth was sensational in the role of Christie, softly spoken, calm, yet monstrous and conniving, I believed utterly in the character he portrayed. He certainly looked the part also. It feels unkind to say that Samantha Morton is a safe pair of hands, but that she is, an actress of immense talent, who always seems to deliver the goods, a super performance as Mrs Christie.

This drama made me curious about the case, and I've picked up a book for some further reading.

If I was brutally honest, I'd say Part 1 was a little too slow, and felt like it had been padded out, twenty minutes into the second part though it takes a very sinister turn, and transforms into something nasty, but enthralling.

Harsh, unnerving, but very impressive. 9/10