Rillington Place

Many are saying this is slow and it is, but its done in a masterful way which builds to the end that we all know. For me, what makes this a joy is the remarkable acting.

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

The slow pace of this is like that of a snail leaving a trail of slime.

The lighting is dark. The setting dim and dirty. Squalid but normal given the time and place.

Tim Roth is so convincingly creepy and his speech, whispery and spare, so steeped in threat, it's a task just to undertake to watch each next horrible installment.

Horrible as in effective.

There is no actual violence and yet it is as if every single second of the entire production is violent.

I'd give it a higher rating, in that I think it is so evocative, but the subject matter is too dark and I prefer to save high marks for work that stimulates us to loftier places.

Still, simply as art, all the skills are wonderful. The actors excellent. The writing terrifying.

I wouldn't have undertaken to write a review at all, but at this juncture there are only two other reviews, neither of which seem, to me, to 'get it.' So here is another view.

If only to provide some contrast to the slightly negative reviews, I must say I thought this was a superb production.

Roth's whispering was as intentional as was the shifting accent of a character who was wanting to 'fit in' with any environment he found himself in.

A thoroughly unnerving performance by Roth, admirably supported by Morton's portrayal of a character seemingly unable to find her voice all contributed to a very unsettling, but rewarding viewing pleasure.

It too lead me to Wiki for a round up of the historical facts and travesties of justice.

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.