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Product Description
Dramatic true-life story of Albert Pierrepoint (Timothy Spall), Britain's most notorious hangman. Following in the footsteps of his father and uncle before him, Albert joins the 'family business' in 1934. Living a secret life as a master hangman, as well as a humble grocery deliveryman and loyal husband, Pierrepoint's reputation as the most highly regarded executioner in the land results in him executing some of Britain's most infamous murderers including Derek Bentley and Ruth Ellis, and also the Nazi war criminals convicted at the Nuremberg Trials. But the media coverage from these shatters Pierrepoint's closely guarded anonymity turning him into a minor celebrity.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
76 of 77 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Despite the darkness of the subject matter, 'Pierrepoint' is a wonderful,utterly absorbing film. Timothy Spall is mesmerising as the famous executioner - he conveys the dignity and compassion of the man - and the reviewer who commented that he should have been given a raft of awards is quite right. The remainder of the cast are stellar - Juliet Stevenson brings a quiet depth to the role of Pierrepoint's wife which is a delight. And the little sub-plot with the friend, 'Tosh' (which I believe is a true story), is truly moving.
The film makes no judgments - it simply portrays Pierrepoint's life and the inner struggle he sometimes had in coming to terms with his curious calling: a calling he inherited from his father and uncle. Pierrepoint himself did not make judgments either, saying the law had already done that.
This will not be a film to everyone's taste, but for me it was a wonderful hour and a half.
The film makes no judgments - it simply portrays Pierrepoint's life and the inner struggle he sometimes had in coming to terms with his curious calling: a calling he inherited from his father and uncle. Pierrepoint himself did not make judgments either, saying the law had already done that.
This will not be a film to everyone's taste, but for me it was a wonderful hour and a half.
64 of 65 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I wasnt quite sure what to expect from this film when I began to view it. Having read both Pierrepoint's and his assistant Syd Dearnley's autobiographies some years ago (Syd is known as George in this film), I thought it might be sensationlised for the sake of the viewer. However, this is not the case. What we have here is a very moving human drama about a simple storeman who eventually became a publican who was acknowledged as the best hangman of his time. Pierrepoint developed an efficiency much admired by his peers in despatching the condemned to a swift and humane death. However, as time went on, and the controversys around Capital Punishment began to grow, particularly after the Derek Bentley case (which isnt mentioned in the film, although the controversy over Timothy Evans is) during the early 1950s, the stress on Pierrepoint began to gnaw at his conscience. The scene depicting the execution of Ruth Ellis is one of the most profoundly moving scenes ever seen on the screen, filmed in slow motion, it was probably this act which may have led to Pierrepoint finally relinquishing the hangmans role.
It is not an entertaining film, it isnt meant to be. But it is wonderfully filmed and acted. The director Adrian Shergold has achieved a remarkable success in bringing this difficult human story to the screen. Both Timothy Spall and Juliet Stevenson portray their respectives roles with so much professionalism and dignity. Both deserve to be nominated.
Needs to be seen by a wider audience since it got a limited release on the cinema circuit. Good sound, although much of the picture is dark enhancing the era of the 1940s and the 1950s.
It is not an entertaining film, it isnt meant to be. But it is wonderfully filmed and acted. The director Adrian Shergold has achieved a remarkable success in bringing this difficult human story to the screen. Both Timothy Spall and Juliet Stevenson portray their respectives roles with so much professionalism and dignity. Both deserve to be nominated.
Needs to be seen by a wider audience since it got a limited release on the cinema circuit. Good sound, although much of the picture is dark enhancing the era of the 1940s and the 1950s.
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By Rachel Clark
Format:DVD
What a great find this film was. I haven't read the book so can't comment on whether it is a faithful adaptation. Taken by itself, the film was totally engrossing. I am a lifelong opponent of capital punishment but thankfully the film didn't preach (except a nice reminder at the very end from Pierrepoint himself that it achieves nothing) but instead showed a man going about his work with dignity and compassion. His treatment of the condemned was very moving as was his insistence that once they'd paid the ultimate price they were innocent again and deserved to be treated as such. My one criticism is that the portrayal of Mrs Pierrepoint felt rather one dimensional - a sad waste of Juliet Stevenson's considerable acting ability. However, the portrayal of Pierrepoint himself by the wonderful Timothy Spall more than compensated for that.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
pierrepoint last public hangman
compelling timothy spall brilliant, it of british history good for social history of the uk captures the sence of the 1950s
Published 8 days ago by margaret dix
5.0 out of 5 stars
Albert Pierrepoint
This film in my opinion was brilliant- Superb acting from all members of the cast- Especially Tomothy Spall, who always gives a fine performance- There should be more films of... Read more
Published 17 days ago by N. C. Pickford
4.0 out of 5 stars
grewsome history
the problem is that I have not had time to view it yet! .It would not be possible to review it
Published 23 days ago by Mr. Raymond Harris
5.0 out of 5 stars
British film making at it's best
Timothy Spall interprets the role of Britain's most famous war time hang man perfectly. The right mix of compassion for his condemned prisoners, and the inevitable build up of... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Maz
5.0 out of 5 stars
great watch
great film showing the two sides of our most famous executioner his compassion and dedication to his work were exemplary
Published 1 month ago by penfold
3.0 out of 5 stars
Undecided
I think Tim Spall is an excellent actor but I'm not quite sure that he has got Pierrepoint correct in this. Read more
Published 1 month ago by R. Rose
5.0 out of 5 stars
must see
A really good film and Tim Spall plays the part so well as does Edie Marsan.Recommended.An interesting true historical film.
Published 1 month ago by merlin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Horrifyingly Good
The film itself is by no means mawkish or inhuman. It shows a decent human being going about his grim and necessary work with compassion and dignity. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Peter Stephenson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pierrepoint
Based on the last Executioner of Britain and Ireland Albert Pierrepoint from hes life as Pub Landlord too national executioner too being in charge of dispatching Nazi war... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Alawes
5.0 out of 5 stars
dvd
Purchased this for my daughter... as she was covering pierrepoint at school, having never seen the film it was a good watch and factual. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ms. S. Hampton-morgan
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