DVD Review: Pierrepoint

[NeilB]

This relativity unknown independent film which has recently been released DVD, looks into the life of the UK's most famous executioner, Albert Pierrepoint.

The film starts when he applies to follow in his fathers footsteps, as an executioner. As well holding down the the job where he meets his wife, doing his job as a delivery driver for grocery stores as he is only required a few times a month as an executioner. He soon get's a reputation as a man who likes to get it over with quickly, this could let you think that he was a heartless man who didn't care about the people he executed. But when you see what care he takes in looking after them when the deed has been done. He makes it quick as that way the prisoner is not afraid for the fate that befalls them.

It also shows the struggle he has with doing the job after he arrives back from Germany, after hanging war criminals from the Nuremberg trial. After the spotlight is thrust upon him after his name is leaked to the press, along with hanging someone close to him. There is also the factor that he became the hate figure for the anti capital punishment movement, which is shown at the end of the film by using real news footage about the protests of the execution of Ruth Ellis.

A good film all in all, Timothy Spall gives a fantastic performance as a decent man first leaves his emotions at the prison gate, but over time realises that he cannot be so detached from it forever.

Trailer

8/10