99 out of 103 people found the following review helpful:

another review from another reviewer

A Customer from north east england, 4th September, 2006

Albert Pierrepoint was Britain's most prolific executioner, overseeing the hanging of more than 600 condemned men and women including Derek Bentley, Ruth Ellis and Lord Haw Haw. Adrian Shergold's film starring Timothy Spall in the title role is a dark period piece exploring the stark relationship between compassion and work ethic. Pierrepoint approaches his grisly duties with pride, professionalism and a stoical detachment – a third generation hangman, he is well accustomed to checking his personal life at the prison gate while he gets on with the job at hand. But duty and morality are constantly battling in the back of his mind - a struggle neatly illustrated when he is seconded to Germany after the War and tasked with dispatching Nazi war criminals. His clinical work here is deliberately and uncomfortably linked to the crimes of the Nazis who gassed their Holocaust victims with the same brutal precision. Back in England, as liberalism begins to take hold and high-profile executions enrage a population bubbling with discontent, Pierrepoint's reputation in the eyes of the public slides swiftly and irretrievably from British war hero to callous murderer – a bewildering descent perfectly captured by Spall's mesmerising performance. Juliet Stevenson is not bad either as Pierrepoint's loyal wife gradually embittered by years of turning the other cheek at her husband's double life. The film celebrates dignity and humanity but is laced with a uniquely British attitude evocative of Vera Drake and The Remains of the Day. Like these earlier social dramas, Pierrepoint culminates memorably in a momentary quivering of its previously resolute stiff upper lip.

Read all highest rated reviews

28 out of 29 people found the following review helpful:

All in a day's work

Beth from Derbyshire, 13th April, 2007

This was chosen by my husband, and I was reluctant to watch it, partly due to subject matter, partly because it was a biopic, partly because I have a bit of a block about Timothy Spall (blame Auf Wiedersehen Pet, and Harry Potter!) However, it was a complete surprise. Timothy Spall is brilliant as Pierrepoint, portraying him as a man determined to carry out his job with dignity and respect towards the condemned men and women in his 'care'. Ultimately, of course, he realises that the act of taking lives cannot be compartmentalised. All of the supporting cast give strong performances, and the cinematography captures a lost England perfectly. Watch this if you feel like something thought provoking, slow moving and sensitive - it won't provide any cheap thrills, just great performances and interesting questions on life, death and morality.

Read all highest rated reviews

20 out of 20 people found the following review helpful:

Dark, disturbing, compelling masterpiece

Butler from Colchester, England, 4th January, 2007

This is a film - almost in the form of a drama-documentary - which continually challenges the viewer to debate the pros and cons of capital punishment. Timothy Spall's performance is brilliant as he conveys the way that Pierrepoint moves from being utterly confident and comfortable in his role as Public Hangman Number One to being progressively disturbed and disillusioned. Juliet Stevenson is superb in her supporting role. All credit to the production team for allowing the viewer to make up his own mind on the basis of the facts, when it would have been so easy to make this a 'for or against' film. The minor roles are all well played: We see convincing cameos of Montgomery, Irma Griese, Ruth Ellis, Timothy Evans, Joseph Kramer and other historical figures who had dealings with Pierrepoint. This film is not for the squeamish, and the constant flow of executions is grisly, but essential to the theme. Strongly recommended if you can handle it, and particularly relevant to current events (I'm writing a week after Saddam Hussein was executed - with far less skill and humanity by all accounts, than would have been employed by Albert Pierrepoint).

Read all highest rated reviews

13 out of 13 people found the following review helpful:

Disturbing

Dave Lewis from UK, 27th December, 2006

This was a trip into the very dark and personal world of an executioner. The film shines a light on the psyche of Peirrepoint as he battles to keep his job disconnected from the rest of his life. It is an intimate and sympathetic portrayal of a man just 'doing his job'.

Read all highest rated reviews

Pierrepoint - the last hangman

A Customer from Northampton, 22nd February, 2010

Not to be missed film

Read all recent reviews

pierrepoint

binksie from , 7th February, 2010

fantastick film wellworth watching i may buy this film

Read all recent reviews

very informative

A Customer from Telford, 31st January, 2010

timothy spall is i think one of the most under rated actors around his performance in this is exellent the story mostly true was one i didnt know much about and found inlighting i would say watch this not only for the acting but also the stroy

Read all recent reviews

ahhhhhh the good old days

A Customer from Preston, 17th January, 2010

What to remind yourself of the good old days when taking a life ment losing yours? Why not check out pierrepoint, its sobering point about the futility and fragility of life is gently massaged into your eye balls via the fabulous Timothy Spall.

Read all recent reviews