Back to our regular programming. I was a mite bored the other day so #2 brunette and I meandered off to the movie Pierrepoint. Let's face it, a movie about a hangman is an unlikely choice - but it worked.
The movie detailed the life of one of the last hangmen in England, Albert Pierrepoint (AP), whose father was also a hangman. An interesting, but ultimately irrelevant point. The movie was obviously a 'made for tv' flick, and showed that - slightly. For all that, it was was an interesting and excellent watch - Timothy Spall was fantastic as AP.
AP brough a level of sophistication to the profession with charts based on height, weight and lifestyle so the victim wouldn't suffer after the drop. This 'quality service' was rewarded by AP being called on to execute Nazi's at the end of WW2. This bumped up his hanging total to 600+. Although not really setup as a social commentary as it focussed more on the individual and his life, the spectre of social change begins to haunt AP. Hailed as a hero for his Nazi killings - he's the toast of the local pub - as times change he notices attitudes towards him changing. The denouement is not unexpected, but moving none-the-less.
Yes I enjoyed the movie. Yes it could have been more doco than doco-drama. Yes it could have explored societies changing view more. But it's worth seeing, an interesting subject handled very well with a thoroughly sympathetic and well acted lead.
Go see it.
B xx
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