The Last Hangman (2005)

Director:

Adrian Shergold

Writers:

Bob Mills (writer)
Jeff Pope (writer)

Release Date:

7 April 2006 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Respected citizen. Loving husband. Professional killer.

Plot:

The life and times of Albert Pierrepoint - Britain's most prolific hangman

Plot Keywords:

Hangman | Nazi | Celebrity | Hood | Hanging

Awards:

2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Simon Armstrong	...	Minister
Ann Bell	...	Violet Van Der Elst
Nicholas Blane	...	Governor of Strangeways
Clive Brunt	...	Warder at Strangeways
Cavan Clerkin	...	George Cooper
James Corden	...	Kirky
Marie Critchley	...	Woman in Pub
Neil Fitzmaurice	...	Cliff the Scouser
Keiran Flynn	...	Neville
Clive Francis	...	Field Marshall Montgomery
Christopher Fulford	...	Sykes
Frances Shergold	...	Alice
Elizabeth Hopley	...	Dorothea Waddingham
Peter Jonfield	...	Mr. Andrews
Bernard Kay	...	Uncle Tom

Also Known As:

Pierrepoint (UK) (new title) (USA)
Pierrepoint: The Last Hangman (Australia) (DVD title)

MPAA:

Rated R for disturbing images, nudity and brief sexuality.

Runtime:

UK:90 min | Argentina:90 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:15 | USA:R | Singapore:M18 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England, UK

Company:

Granada Television

Trivia:

Despite the title Pierrepoint was not Britain's last hangman. He retired in the mid 1950s, shortly after executing Ruth Ellis - (see Dance with a Stranger (1985)). Britain never had a "last hangman", as the last two executions before suspension of capital punishment were carried out in different cities at the same time. As the last two people executed were both guilty of the murder of John West, it was decided to carry out sentence at the same time in Aug 1964. In Nov 1965, people were still being sentenced to death.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: When Annie Pierrepoint is sitting in bed checking the 'accounts', she refers to a "job at Strangeways" for which Albert was not paid. He recalls that the prisoner received a very late reprieve, and Annie indignantly talks of him "going all that way down there for nothing". Strangeways is not "all that way down there". It is in Manchester, the city where the Pierrepoints lived.

Quotes:

Governor Paton-Walsh: I don't mind telling you Pierrepoint... I don't think there's a better man in the country.
Albert Pierrepoint: Thank-you, sir.

Soundtrack:

Curtain Up

Charismatic Timothy Spall.

I booked this independent little British film to show at Coalville's Century Theatre, on the Non-Theatrical circuit. Titled "Pierrepoint" here in the UK, this is a case of another quality British film being routinely ignored by the multiplexes in favour of the usual fodder presented for the masses. I was confident my regular audience would be interested by this true story of mass executioner Albert Pierrepont who really was 'a household name' in the 50s and 60s. In actual fact, Mr Pierrepoint was NOT 'the last hangman' in the UK. It really is a remarkably entertaining picture considering the obviously dour storyline, much aided by the portrayal of charismatic star Timothy Spall, who can be relied upon to always give an interesting and engrossing performance. Mr Spall is no matinée idol lead but not many would argue he is one of the most popular actors in Britain today. The film explains how Albert followed in the same 'career' of his father and Uncle Tom (who is briefly portrayed in the film), and interestingly reveals the technical side of his skillful and efficient methods for a successful result! Along the way, Albert is seen with Field Marshal Montgomery, who personally recommended Pierrepoint to carry out the Nuremburg executions, as well as other familiar people such as Timothy Evans, Derek Bentley and Ruth Ellis, all of whose cases fed the argument for the abolition of capital punishment. In the film, much dramatic use is made of Pierrepoint's execution of his friend, 'Tish', who often sang duets with Albert in the latter's pub. This really is true, very much a case of stranger than fiction. This film is strangely entertaining, never dull, although I noted some of the female members of my audience were regularly looking downwards whenever a hanging was shown. However, afterwards, there many favourable comments about this film and we were still talking about it at the post show drink in the pub afterwards! Obviously achieved on a very restricted budget, but a film to be recommended.