Pierrepoint: The Last Hangman (2005)

Just what I expected

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Timothy Spall does a brilliant job acting as Albert Pierrepoint a man who delivered groceries but was also one of Englands part time hangmen. He looks nothing like the man himself, but acts so well that you are gripped and taken along by every emotion.Apparently over his time Pierrepoint executed 608 people, including Nazi war criminals and he famously hanged Ruth Ellis, the last women hanged in England.There are parts of the movie where they take liberties with the facts, but it doesn't detract from the over all feeling that this story conveys. The scenes where he executed someone he knew and sang with in the pub was very moving and although the film is about what is a not very nice subject, it is not overly graphic. I did however think that the scene where he stripped and washed down a woman he had just hung was unnecessary.What came across mainly was that Pierrepoint took pride in his work and tried to make what he did as quick and as humane as possible.At the end there is a quote from Pierrepoint where he states "I have come to the conclusion that executions solve nothing, and are only an antiquated relic of a primitive desire for revenge which takes the easy way and hands over the responsibility for revenge to other people ...The trouble with the death penalty has always been that nobody wanted it for everybody, but everybody differed about who should get off." They shortened it, but this is the full quote.

Anyone who has read Mr Pierrepoint's book, seen his TV interviews or heard his radio interviews will know this film totally misrepresents his life, character and work.If you want to make fiction go ahead but don't pretend it's autobiography.There is zero evidence that Mr Pierrepoint was ever troubled or disturbed by his work, he viewed himself as a public servant who's duty was to perform his duties diligently and efficiently.The makers of this film chose to misuse Mr Pierrepoint as a vehicle for their own opinions knowing Mr Pierrepoint can not object.If you want to know the true story read Mr Pierrepoint's excellent autobiography, there are also interviews with him to be found online.

This film is about the work and family life of Britain's most prolific executioner."The Last Hangman" deals with a grim topic which many people would regard as a taboo. It is not easy to make it a good film out of it. Fortunately, "The Last Hangman" has a particularly effective plot that details the psychological change of Pierrepoint as his career progresses. Timothy Spall acts very well, as he delivers a range of undoubtedly effective emotions. From pride, doubt to depression, everything shows on his face clearly."The Last Hangman" is a detailed psychological journey of a gruesome occupation. It should not be missed.

This film takes us back to the days of capital punishment. Days some people believe the United Kingdom should return to. Who would be willing to do this job now. Even Pierrepoint himself said that hanging never achieved anything. Also Pierrepoint himself is portrayed as such a wonderfully caring person, carefully cleaning and preparing the body for postmortem and burial. This was part of the job, and just that,the job he was paid to do. As was shown in the film, the job was kept quiet. Maybe more to do with the official secrets act then a personal privacy issue. People say the man carried out his duties with compassion and sensitivity. A shame he never showed these emotions to the relatives of those executed, as the request to Ruth Ellis' sister for him to be allowed to be photographed by Ruths grave shows neither. Obviously a little artistic licence is required, but let us be thankful that this time is left firmly in he past where it belongs.