Pierrepoint: The Last Hangman (DVD, 2007)

This film pulls no punches. What begins as a story about an everyday appearing British commoner
evolves into a dark tale of his transformation into an employe of the British government who is hired to
carry out executions of convicted criminals. He becomes so good at his job that he is eventually hired
by the British military, chosen by none other than Field Marshall Montgomery, to execute convicted
Nazi war criminals. For his efforts he his hailed in Britian as a hero. But, the tide turns when he returns to his original task as the executioner for the British court system. An uproar explodes when he hangs
a beautiful woman, convicted to a murder. Street protests and a wave of anti-capital puinishment forces him to withdraw into his usual business, running a small pub. it is a striking film anda lesson
in the culture of society.

I thoroughly enjoyed this UK production about the life of Albert Pierrepoint, who, along with his father and uncle, served as Britain's most expert and prolific hangman for more than 20 years. The performances are first-rate, and we come to understand how Pierrepoint took great pride and care in his work, insisting that the bodies of the persons that he hanged be treated with care and respect. The movie is also a study in disassociation; Pierrepoint leaves himself "outside" of the gallows chamber when he carries out a death sentence. As the movie points out, however, this worked only so long as Pierrepoint remained invisible to the general public. I would recommend this DVD to everyone.