Pierrepoint - The Last Hangman
Adrian Shergold's film is the story of hangman Albert Pierrepoint (Timothy Spall). The film starts off during World War II and ends in the 1950s. During that time Pierrepoint hanged over 600 people.
Pierrepoint's father was also a hangman. Pierrepoint prides himself in quick and "humane" deaths. Afterwards he treats the dead with the utmost respect. For Pierrepoint this is a job and he doesn't bring it home with him. He never discusses it with his wife Annie (Juliet Stevenson).
It would seem that this man has nerves of steel. On the outside he seems cool, calm and collected. But inside he is seething. The magnificent Spall conveys all of these feelings through his very expressive face. Stevenson is also excellent as Annie as is Eddie Marsan as Pierrepoint's friend Jimmy "Tisch" Corbitt. This might be a small part but it figures very heavily into the story.
After the war Pierrepoint went to Germany and hanged many Nazis. He was considered a hero.
But as time went on the British people came to realize that capital punishment accomplished nothing but revenge. In time it was banned from the UK. Films like Pierrepoint show just how wrong it is. One can only hope that the US will finally stamp it out as well. More people than ever in the US are against the death penalty so one can only hope.
In the meantime, do yourself a favor and see Pierrepoint. It is a good film and the acting will amaze you.
Pierrepoint's father was also a hangman. Pierrepoint prides himself in quick and "humane" deaths. Afterwards he treats the dead with the utmost respect. For Pierrepoint this is a job and he doesn't bring it home with him. He never discusses it with his wife Annie (Juliet Stevenson).
It would seem that this man has nerves of steel. On the outside he seems cool, calm and collected. But inside he is seething. The magnificent Spall conveys all of these feelings through his very expressive face. Stevenson is also excellent as Annie as is Eddie Marsan as Pierrepoint's friend Jimmy "Tisch" Corbitt. This might be a small part but it figures very heavily into the story.
After the war Pierrepoint went to Germany and hanged many Nazis. He was considered a hero.
But as time went on the British people came to realize that capital punishment accomplished nothing but revenge. In time it was banned from the UK. Films like Pierrepoint show just how wrong it is. One can only hope that the US will finally stamp it out as well. More people than ever in the US are against the death penalty so one can only hope.
In the meantime, do yourself a favor and see Pierrepoint. It is a good film and the acting will amaze you.
posted by Film Fanatic | 8:48 PM
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