Tuchergson Truly the worst movie I've ever seen in a theater

RyothChatty ridiculous rating

NekoHomey Purely Joyful Movie!

Borserie it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

woodabby Anyone who has read Mr Pierrepoint's book, seen his TV interviews or heard his radio interviews will know this film totally misrepresents his life, character and work.If you want to make fiction go ahead but don't pretend it's autobiography.There is zero evidence that Mr Pierrepoint was ever troubled or disturbed by his work, he viewed himself as a public servant who's duty was to perform his duties diligently and efficiently.The makers of this film chose to misuse Mr Pierrepoint as a vehicle for their own opinions knowing Mr Pierrepoint can not object.If you want to know the true story read Mr Pierrepoint's excellent autobiography, there are also interviews with him to be found online.

CountZero313 Timothy Spall is mesmerising in this tale set just before the curtain came down on Britain's use of capital punishment. Pierrepoint is the quintessential professional hangman; efficient, thorough, meticulous, and humane to boot. He starts out with no reservations about the task he is charged to carry out. Times change and the man changes with them; when he starts to question the system and his role in it, the moral weight of his actions prove, inevitably, too much to bear. Spall depicts this journey towards self-realisation and a kind of collapse as impeccably as Pierrpoint himself went about his business. Given the baubles handed out for impersonation in films such as Ray and Capote, it is surprising the Academy overlooked this captivating performance.Here in Japan, hanging is still very much in vogue, carried out under a veil of secrecy in the name of a public who are by and large ignorant and apathetic as to what role capital punishment plays in their society. Is it possible to enjoy this film without taking sides on the debate about capital punishment? I can't imagine so. Like 10 Rillington Place, the film shows very clearly why capital punishment became untenable in British society, and subsequently why it is unlikely ever to make a return. Pierrpoint strikes the right balance between showing a society in change, and the effects of that change on one man and his family. This is an important film in social terms, and a triumph in film-making ones.

graestella When this film was first promoted back in 2005, I went and read Pierrepoint's autobiography. This was riveting, so I was looking forward to the film. There was no sign of it. Despite being a TV sponsored production it was hidden away after a limited release and three years went by before it appeared on ITV last week. Having finally gotten to see it I can only come to the conclusion it was because it was an embarrassment. The poor production values pointed to a limited budget. i.e. all the prisons were generic like the basic sets in a minimalist stage production; the military uniforms were either too big or too large,or had wonky hats;the hopeless miscasting of Ruth Ellis and Monty. Who had the bizarre idea of turning the medieval Hamlen prison into a ( presumably ) London derelict warehouse? The diabolical liberties with the timeline for artistic license. The elevation of Tosh from a casual acquaintance to his best mate was ridiculous and offensive. All this without the deliberate misreading, or was it sloppiness, about the execution process and post mortem cleaning. Had they read his book? Elementary research I would have thought. Then we have Spall portraying Pierrepoint as a simpleton and a misery guts. Also not apparent in his autobiography. Very disappointing.

crossbow0106 The story of the UK's most prolific hangman is an absorbing, well paced drama. It shows the ins and outs of the trade. Albert Pierrepoint, played superbly by Timothy Spall, seems completely committed to his role as executioner. In this film, the viewer is left conflicted by him, about his demeanor and his workmanlike way that he perfects and finishes his tasks. The film's undercurrent of disbelief that this seemingly ordinary man would be so committed to this role plays perfectly. There are a few twists in this film that make the film even better. I am not sure how much of this film is actually based on fact (the reaction of the accused when they are about to meet their end, for one), but, thankfully, there is no comic intent in this film. Timothy Spall, as I've stated, just blew me away with his portrayal of Pierrepoint. See it & discuss later the emotions you feel watching it. Its that kind of film.