19 reviews
Don't miss it
In typical British fashion...a riveting true story...the best British acting...and the perfect length.
This is a fascinating look into the way the UK has impacted police work.
If you enjoy British police crime shows, you will enjoy this 3 episode one.
- lisainstyle
- May 20, 2020
- Permalink
Code of a Killer - genetic fingerprinting
Great historical account of the forensic tool used so extensively today. Really enjoyed finding how this was used in the murder investigation. Sir Alec Jeffreys was knighted for this scientific discovery. Only thing I don't understand is why it was not worthy of a Nobel Prize.
Excellent drama.
First off, it's a very sad, interesting, and real life story. The first time in our history that DNA was used by the Police to bring about a conviction, hard to imagine nowadays.
I have to give real praise to the Director and screen writer, for telling the story in a realistic, informative, factual style, that lacked the usual sensationalism associated with modern dramas.
Superbly acted, John Simm and David Threlfall in particular are excellent.
Tragic crimes, brought to life, in a fast moving drama. 8/10
I have to give real praise to the Director and screen writer, for telling the story in a realistic, informative, factual style, that lacked the usual sensationalism associated with modern dramas.
Superbly acted, John Simm and David Threlfall in particular are excellent.
Tragic crimes, brought to life, in a fast moving drama. 8/10
- Sleepin_Dragon
- Apr 7, 2019
- Permalink
Saw on Acorn TV
I found this a wonderful rendition of the trials and pains involved in creating the DNA fingerprinting process. It did have a good amount of science included but this was a theme that undergirded the entire series. The dogged work by the police the anxiety of the scientists and the grief and hope of the victims families were woven into a great story. This is the type of show we need more of.
- bradpemberton
- Mar 19, 2017
- Permalink
Superb British Drama
An excellent mini-series based on the true story of the events surrounding the murders of 15 year olds Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in a small village outside Leicester, UK. The acting is beautifully metered and subtle and the depiction of life in England in the 1980's is extremely well done. Congratulations to all involved in this series and deepest appreciation to Sir Alec Jeffreys and team and the police force involved for their blood sweat and tears in these tragic cases as well as deepest heartfelt sympathy condolences to Lynda's and Dawn's loved ones.
- lillightjc-85500
- Feb 17, 2020
- Permalink
Code of a Killer
- jboothmillard
- Apr 22, 2015
- Permalink
Familiar cast in docu-drama about early DNA testing..
If you are a fan of the true-life crime investigation series out in the wild (Forensic Files, Murder Comes to Town, etc.) that involve matching suspects to DNA evidence, then this is a must-see for you. The inventor of DNA testing, Alec Jeffreys, is a main character in this 'sort of' 3-part docu-drama about catching a rapist-killer in a small town in England in the mid-80's. Jeffreys' research at a university lab near the infamous attacks on 2 teen girls is profiled, as his work is key in exonerating a falsely-accused boy, and nailing the real killer.
Interestingly, if this were a fictional story, many viewers would be saying, 'O come on... this sort of thing could never happen that way...!', thus proving that truth is stranger than fiction (or 'life imitates art', as you please).
Three actors always worth watching (together or apart): John Simm (who plays Jeffreys), Robert Glenister (the DCC - Glenister looks like a real DCC, or a cop you would want on your side if you were wrongly accused of murder - he gets my vote) and David Threlfall as the determined DCS doggedly chasing the real perpetrator. I think Simm & Glennister effectively teamed up also in the Brit version of 'Life on Mars'. Threlfall looks completely different from his IMDb profile pic, thus showing that great Brit actors transform themselves enough to suit even a grim role, unlike popular American actors who show the same glam profile in every shot of every movie - (you know the ones I mean: pretty boys!).
A great BRIT 3-parter I caught on ACORN-TV, well worth the price of admission for this alone. 9/10
Interestingly, if this were a fictional story, many viewers would be saying, 'O come on... this sort of thing could never happen that way...!', thus proving that truth is stranger than fiction (or 'life imitates art', as you please).
Three actors always worth watching (together or apart): John Simm (who plays Jeffreys), Robert Glenister (the DCC - Glenister looks like a real DCC, or a cop you would want on your side if you were wrongly accused of murder - he gets my vote) and David Threlfall as the determined DCS doggedly chasing the real perpetrator. I think Simm & Glennister effectively teamed up also in the Brit version of 'Life on Mars'. Threlfall looks completely different from his IMDb profile pic, thus showing that great Brit actors transform themselves enough to suit even a grim role, unlike popular American actors who show the same glam profile in every shot of every movie - (you know the ones I mean: pretty boys!).
A great BRIT 3-parter I caught on ACORN-TV, well worth the price of admission for this alone. 9/10
- canuckteach
- Feb 27, 2017
- Permalink
A bit too static, even for a film based on true events and characters
I am aware that planning and creating a feature film/series when many people know of the course of events and ending is a challenge, with the need to emphasize other elements, e.g. acting, background, directing, etc. In spite of the fact that the events happened "before my time" in a different country, I could still guess the outcome, and many decisions probably relevant then seem odd and questionable at present. The result for me is a half-documentary and protracted depiction with "not-among- the-finest" actors in the leading roles, with focus on hesitations instead of implementation and, in retrospect, odd blunders by the local police.
Both the director (James Strong) and John Simm and David Threlfall have participated in more integral and more interesting works, but if you like docudramas and are not too young, then Code of a Killer is definitely above average.
Both the director (James Strong) and John Simm and David Threlfall have participated in more integral and more interesting works, but if you like docudramas and are not too young, then Code of a Killer is definitely above average.
Well Worth the Watch
- untilnow99
- May 9, 2020
- Permalink
Silly prop Error
i remember these events real time and watched the show with admiration and interest several times since being aired. so on the 1st episode and just after Gavin Hopkirk is refusing to confess to the second murder. The scene is now in the office DI Alan Madden leaves with DCS David Baker is looking at the new paper with the headline "local scientist proves paternity" . clearly this is where we are meant to believe the source of inspiration for DNA testing is coming from:
but then the camera drops down passed the picture of Alec Jeffreys and then my eye was caught by the name Lynda Mann next to the chin of Alec: it possible to read that " the technique has been used by leicestershire police eliminate people from their enquires...etc....". Me thinks they used this prop prematurely.
but then the camera drops down passed the picture of Alec Jeffreys and then my eye was caught by the name Lynda Mann next to the chin of Alec: it possible to read that " the technique has been used by leicestershire police eliminate people from their enquires...etc....". Me thinks they used this prop prematurely.
- cameronhurwood
- Jan 17, 2016
- Permalink
About DNA Sequencing
This movie necessarily spends some time educating the audience, however it tacitly assumes the statement that no two people can have the same DNA. This statement is actually false, that is to say, the probability that two people have the same DNA is not zero.
- garywalsh-51047
- Feb 28, 2021
- Permalink
Code Of A Killer
In the 1980s, Colin Pitchfork raped and murdered two teenage girls. The story of those horrific crimes has been minutely documented because this was the first time DNA fingerprinting/profiling was used in a criminal case. Although "Code Of A Killer" is presented as a dramatisation it contains little in the way of drama, nothing graphic, and is more of a documentary, following a number of similar historically accurate dramatisations on both sides of the Atlantic. It is also in effect two stories - that of the pioneering work of Alec Jeffreys, and of the hunt for a nascent serial killer.
The mentally challenged Richard Buckland who confessed to the second murder is renamed Gavin Hopkirk, which will certainly not please the real owners of that name, bar the fictional murderer from a 2014 ITV series. The name of the man who was duped into impersonating Pitchfork to donate blood has also been changed, even though it is widely known. He paid a heavy price for that act of misguided loyalty.
Beyond the scope of this dramatisation is the unthinkable release of this monster. In 2016 he was moved to an open prison and two years later was photographed in Bristol. He has since been denied parole, and the families of his victims have mounted a national campaign to put him back in a proper prison where he belongs.
The mentally challenged Richard Buckland who confessed to the second murder is renamed Gavin Hopkirk, which will certainly not please the real owners of that name, bar the fictional murderer from a 2014 ITV series. The name of the man who was duped into impersonating Pitchfork to donate blood has also been changed, even though it is widely known. He paid a heavy price for that act of misguided loyalty.
Beyond the scope of this dramatisation is the unthinkable release of this monster. In 2016 he was moved to an open prison and two years later was photographed in Bristol. He has since been denied parole, and the families of his victims have mounted a national campaign to put him back in a proper prison where he belongs.
Soap opera farce with silly people.
What a great idea for a story... The discovery of how DNA could be adopted by forensic science to catch killers... Instead, we have the usual cast of familiar TV actors and a terrible script that managers to reduce this awesome moment in time to a sappy pantomime of cops and cute bumbling scientists.
It's just embarrassing to sit through some of these scenes as exposition is driven home to the viewer via the dinner table chit chat.
This nonsense is far less about the science and voyage of discovery, and more about the idiotic family dramas of the characters. The story plods unevenly between the cops and the egg heads with lots of comforting cliches to make us feel safe.
"Shouldn't you be looking for the killer?" "We're doing all we can, sir!"
"You're never at home anymore." "But DNA is more important."
The police have cutbacks, the scientists have awesome accidental discoveries, the victims cry a lot. Nothing original here, and a wasted opportunity to tell an important and fascinating story.
It's just embarrassing to sit through some of these scenes as exposition is driven home to the viewer via the dinner table chit chat.
This nonsense is far less about the science and voyage of discovery, and more about the idiotic family dramas of the characters. The story plods unevenly between the cops and the egg heads with lots of comforting cliches to make us feel safe.
"Shouldn't you be looking for the killer?" "We're doing all we can, sir!"
"You're never at home anymore." "But DNA is more important."
The police have cutbacks, the scientists have awesome accidental discoveries, the victims cry a lot. Nothing original here, and a wasted opportunity to tell an important and fascinating story.
- khunkrumark
- May 4, 2019
- Permalink
3 part series well worth watching!
I wasn't sure about watching this, but I'm so glad I did. It's a fictional account of the rape and murder of two young girls. The story shows how DNA testing used by the police first came about. Everything about the series was outstanding. Well worth less than 3 hours of your time.
- dizzylou818
- Jun 26, 2020
- Permalink
Terrific True Crime & Science Drama
Worthwhile 3-episode true story drama with wonderful performances all around.
I've always loved John SIMM, and he's great as the scientist-hero Dr. Jeffreys.
It's easy to forget how difficult forensic crime fighting was before the first application of 'genetic fingerprinting' in 1986. So the tension is heightened by the very newness of the technology. Will it work?
- Venturous1
- Nov 28, 2020
- Permalink
understated and more realistic
There's no action just an interesting story with out any hype or Hollywood gimmicks . it has the pace of what actual , real police work might be like. David Threlfall is great in the lead as a seasoned policeman doing his job patiently which being so unlike most police shows make it stand alone in the genre. The show more than met my expectations and proceeded to give a believable narrative throughout which is what makes it different and better than most shows.
- jmccrmck-65172
- Jul 7, 2020
- Permalink
I just love watching this over and over.
Everything is just great about it. Acting, actors, story, and true story. It's just one of those movies/shows to watch over and over and you never tire of it.
Great series but
Obviously the DNA aspect is the "artistic license " in this...
so the principle player wears a minging white coat that looks like it has the DNA of a thousand people....was I the only person to see that.
Very good period senes with authentic vehicles and interior designs...and period tv cameras backgrounds and wardrobe.. Location and maps are spot on.
The casting here is superb...with some well known faces but seriously talented characters..not many producers would have managed such a provocative issue with such sensitivity..we need more like this.....hopefully independent producers will keep up this level of talent.
Very good period senes with authentic vehicles and interior designs...and period tv cameras backgrounds and wardrobe.. Location and maps are spot on.
The casting here is superb...with some well known faces but seriously talented characters..not many producers would have managed such a provocative issue with such sensitivity..we need more like this.....hopefully independent producers will keep up this level of talent.
Adventure documentary
How can you make the spectacle of people, laboring to discover knowledge whose utility is not yet proven, seem interesting? You show their vision, the struggle, and then a real-world case whose power is hard to deny. "Less is more" seems to be the mode of this series, which focuses on quality character acting and placing the viewer into the struggle instead of excessive emotion. We are there to feel what motivates these characters to try to assert order amongst the chaos, and by seeing their motivations, can connect to their emotions without being clobbered over the head with them. It is a tale of human triumph even when confronting our darkest behaviors, and makes for good casual watching if you like true crime, science, or documentaries.