Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No 
frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.

Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!

On Aug 25, 10:53 pm, Sofa - Spud  wrote:
> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No
> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>
> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!

Funny, I almost bought the DVD last month, I will now as they're
usually reduced after they've been on the box. The bit where he was
hanging the nazis and the classical music was playing was stunningly
directed, and Timothy Spall was, as ever, brilliant. I saw a
documentary about him a couple of months ago claiming he hanged 400
people, however the film said 608 at the end if I'm not mistaken?

On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:15:02 -0700 (PDT), chrissiec
 wrote:

>On Aug 25, 10:53 pm, Sofa - Spud  wrote:
>> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No
>> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>>
>> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
>
>Funny, I almost bought the DVD last month, I will now as they're
>usually reduced after they've been on the box. The bit where he was
>hanging the nazis and the classical music was playing was stunningly
>directed, and Timothy Spall was, as ever, brilliant. I saw a
>documentary about him a couple of months ago claiming he hanged 400+
>people, however the film said 608 at the end if I'm not mistaken?

Timothy Spall hanged 400 people ?

On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:41:22 +0100, NOSPAMnet@gmail.com wrote:

>On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:15:02 -0700 (PDT), chrissiec
> wrote:
>
>>On Aug 25, 10:53 pm, Sofa - Spud  wrote:
>>> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No
>>> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>>>
>>> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
>>
>>Funny, I almost bought the DVD last month, I will now as they're
>>usually reduced after they've been on the box. The bit where he was
>>hanging the nazis and the classical music was playing was stunningly
>>directed, and Timothy Spall was, as ever, brilliant. I saw a
>>documentary about him a couple of months ago claiming he hanged 400+
>>people, however the film said 608 at the end if I'm not mistaken?
>
>Timothy Spall hanged 400 people ?  

Well actors have to do *something* to earn a crust between jobs.

On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:51:48 +0100, middlelight@googlemail.com wrote:

>On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:41:22 +0100, NOSPAMnet@gmail.com wrote:
>
>>On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:15:02 -0700 (PDT), chrissiec
>> wrote:
>>
>>>On Aug 25, 10:53 pm, Sofa - Spud  wrote:
>>>> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No
>>>> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>>>>
>>>> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
>>>
>>>Funny, I almost bought the DVD last month, I will now as they're
>>>usually reduced after they've been on the box. The bit where he was
>>>hanging the nazis and the classical music was playing was stunningly
>>>directed, and Timothy Spall was, as ever, brilliant. I saw a
>>>documentary about him a couple of months ago claiming he hanged 400+
>>>people, however the film said 608 at the end if I'm not mistaken?
>>
>>Timothy Spall hanged 400 people ?  
>
>Well actors have to do *something* to earn a crust between jobs.

A few quick trips to Iran and back again ready for filming

On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:51:48 +0100, middlelight@googlemail.com wrote:

>On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:41:22 +0100, NOSPAMnet@gmail.com wrote:
>
>>On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:15:02 -0700 (PDT), chrissiec
>> wrote:
>>
>>>On Aug 25, 10:53 pm, Sofa - Spud  wrote:
>>>> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No
>>>> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>>>>
>>>> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
>>>
>>>Funny, I almost bought the DVD last month, I will now as they're
>>>usually reduced after they've been on the box. The bit where he was
>>>hanging the nazis and the classical music was playing was stunningly
>>>directed, and Timothy Spall was, as ever, brilliant. I saw a
>>>documentary about him a couple of months ago claiming he hanged 400+
>>>people, however the film said 608 at the end if I'm not mistaken?
>>
>>Timothy Spall hanged 400 people ?  
>
>Well actors have to do *something* to earn a crust between jobs.

A well hung chap like him could earn money in movies.
-- 

Martin

"Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
news:g8v9lj$4tm$1@registered.motzarella.org...

> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No
> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>
> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!


The only bit that was wrong was that the entrance to the actual
drop from the condemned cell in most prisons was via a tall cupboard
against a wall that slid aside on rails, rather
than through a door.
All work on the gallows, testing the rope etc was always done
when the condemned prisoner was out of the condemned cell
on exercise. That's where the element of surprise came in
as the cupboard was slid back while the prisoner's back was
turned. They couldn't usually see the rope from through the
entrance either, it would have been to one side and if they
kept their eyes on the hangman they'd have only have noticed
when they were almost right up to it. Pierrepoint used to try
and shake hands with the prisoner and then take their arms
round the back in that way. Another nice touch was
that the Clergyman started reading the funeral service and
the High Sheriff read out the sentence - both already in the
topping cell immediately the door to the condemned cell next
door was opened, and the hangman walked in.

The element of surprise and orchestrated moves is also used
in Saudi beheadings. The prisoner is told to kneel with his head
bent forward. The executioner then pricks him in the small of
his back with the point of his sword. and as the prisoner
straightens up he slices his head off horizontally.

In neither case does the condemned person realise what's about
to happen.

The Yanks, with all their strapping people into chairs or on
stretchers simply have no class.


michael adams

...

"michael adams"  wrote in message 
news:6hi18uFm326pU1@mid.individual.net...
>
> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
> news:g8v9lj$4tm$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>
>> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No
>> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>>
>> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
>
>
> The only bit that was wrong was that the entrance to the actual
> drop from the condemned cell in most prisons was via a tall cupboard
> against a wall that slid aside on rails, rather
> than through a door.
> All work on the gallows, testing the rope etc was always done
> when the condemned prisoner was out of the condemned cell
> on exercise. That's where the element of surprise came in
> as the cupboard was slid back while the prisoner's back was
> turned. They couldn't usually see the rope from through the
> entrance either, it would have been to one side and if they
> kept their eyes on the hangman they'd have only have noticed
> when they were almost right up to it. Pierrepoint used to try
> and shake hands with the prisoner and then take their arms
> round the back in that way. Another nice touch was
> that the Clergyman started reading the funeral service and
> the High Sheriff read out the sentence - both already in the
> topping cell immediately the door to the condemned cell next
> door was opened, and the hangman walked in.
>
> The element of surprise and orchestrated moves is also used
> in Saudi beheadings. The prisoner is told to kneel with his head
> bent forward. The executioner then pricks him in the small of
> his back with the point of his sword. and as the prisoner
> straightens up he slices his head off horizontally.
>
> In neither case does the condemned person realise what's about
> to happen.
>
> The Yanks, with all their strapping people into chairs or on
> stretchers simply have no class.

You know an awful lot about this subject!  :-0

"gavin"  wrote in message
news:vbRsk.579359$3p2.168640@fe10.news.easynews.com...
>
> "michael adams"  wrote in message
> news:6hi18uFm326pU1@mid.individual.net...
> >
> > "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
> > news:g8v9lj$4tm$1@registered.motzarella.org...
> >
> >> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No
> >> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
> >>
> >> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
> >
> >
> > The only bit that was wrong was that the entrance to the actual
> > drop from the condemned cell in most prisons was via a tall cupboard
> > against a wall that slid aside on rails, rather
> > than through a door.
> > All work on the gallows, testing the rope etc was always done
> > when the condemned prisoner was out of the condemned cell
> > on exercise. That's where the element of surprise came in
> > as the cupboard was slid back while the prisoner's back was
> > turned. They couldn't usually see the rope from through the
> > entrance either, it would have been to one side and if they
> > kept their eyes on the hangman they'd have only have noticed
> > when they were almost right up to it. Pierrepoint used to try
> > and shake hands with the prisoner and then take their arms
> > round the back in that way. Another nice touch was
> > that the Clergyman started reading the funeral service and
> > the High Sheriff read out the sentence - both already in the
> > topping cell immediately the door to the condemned cell next
> > door was opened, and the hangman walked in.
> >
> > The element of surprise and orchestrated moves is also used
> > in Saudi beheadings. The prisoner is told to kneel with his head
> > bent forward. The executioner then pricks him in the small of
> > his back with the point of his sword. and as the prisoner
> > straightens up he slices his head off horizontally.
> >
> > In neither case does the condemned person realise what's about
> > to happen.
> >
> > The Yanks, with all their strapping people into chairs or on
> > stretchers simply have no class.
>
> You know an awful lot about this subject!  :-0

I've just been having a quick skim through Pierrepoints book
"Executioner Pierrepoint" he doesn't mention the sliding
cupboard so I don't know where that's from but I certainly
didn't make it up. There's no indication they stripped the
bodies, just opened the shirt for the doctor to confirm death
after ten minutes. Then lowered the body straight into the coffin
after half an hour. Rading the funeral service may have been in the
old days as the clegyman was with the prisoner in the condemned
cell and accompanied him through into the drop cell

If you want gruesome, you can't do much better than  -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Thompson

1922

Makes the execution of Ruth Ellis sound more like the Teddy Bears
picnic.



michael adams

...



>
>

"michael adams"  wrote in message 
news:6hi6coFlkrhvU1@mid.individual.net...
>
> "gavin"  wrote in message
> news:vbRsk.579359$3p2.168640@fe10.news.easynews.com...
>>
>> "michael adams"  wrote in message
>> news:6hi18uFm326pU1@mid.individual.net...
>> >
>> > "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
>> > news:g8v9lj$4tm$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>> >
>> >> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No
>> >> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>> >>
>> >> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
>> >
>> >
>> > The only bit that was wrong was that the entrance to the actual
>> > drop from the condemned cell in most prisons was via a tall cupboard
>> > against a wall that slid aside on rails, rather
>> > than through a door.
>> > All work on the gallows, testing the rope etc was always done
>> > when the condemned prisoner was out of the condemned cell
>> > on exercise. That's where the element of surprise came in
>> > as the cupboard was slid back while the prisoner's back was
>> > turned. They couldn't usually see the rope from through the
>> > entrance either, it would have been to one side and if they
>> > kept their eyes on the hangman they'd have only have noticed
>> > when they were almost right up to it. Pierrepoint used to try
>> > and shake hands with the prisoner and then take their arms
>> > round the back in that way. Another nice touch was
>> > that the Clergyman started reading the funeral service and
>> > the High Sheriff read out the sentence - both already in the
>> > topping cell immediately the door to the condemned cell next
>> > door was opened, and the hangman walked in.
>> >
>> > The element of surprise and orchestrated moves is also used
>> > in Saudi beheadings. The prisoner is told to kneel with his head
>> > bent forward. The executioner then pricks him in the small of
>> > his back with the point of his sword. and as the prisoner
>> > straightens up he slices his head off horizontally.
>> >
>> > In neither case does the condemned person realise what's about
>> > to happen.
>> >
>> > The Yanks, with all their strapping people into chairs or on
>> > stretchers simply have no class.
>>
>> You know an awful lot about this subject!  :-0
>
> I've just been having a quick skim through Pierrepoints book
> "Executioner Pierrepoint" he doesn't mention the sliding
> cupboard so I don't know where that's from but I certainly
> didn't make it up. There's no indication they stripped the
> bodies, just opened the shirt for the doctor to confirm death
> after ten minutes. Then lowered the body straight into the coffin
> after half an hour. Rading the funeral service may have been in the
> old days as the clegyman was with the prisoner in the condemned
> cell and accompanied him through into the drop cell
>
> If you want gruesome, you can't do much better than  -
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Thompson
>
> 1922
>
> Makes the execution of Ruth Ellis sound more like the Teddy Bears
> picnic.

Thanks for that, Michael - almost put me off my lunch!

michael adams wrote:
> "gavin"  wrote in message
> news:vbRsk.579359$3p2.168640@fe10.news.easynews.com...
>> "michael adams"  wrote in message
>> news:6hi18uFm326pU1@mid.individual.net...
>>> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
>>> news:g8v9lj$4tm$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>>
>>>> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No
>>>> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>>>>
>>>> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
>>>
>>> The only bit that was wrong was that the entrance to the actual
>>> drop from the condemned cell in most prisons was via a tall cupboard
>>> against a wall that slid aside on rails, rather
>>> than through a door.
>>> All work on the gallows, testing the rope etc was always done
>>> when the condemned prisoner was out of the condemned cell
>>> on exercise. That's where the element of surprise came in
>>> as the cupboard was slid back while the prisoner's back was
>>> turned. They couldn't usually see the rope from through the
>>> entrance either, it would have been to one side and if they
>>> kept their eyes on the hangman they'd have only have noticed
>>> when they were almost right up to it. Pierrepoint used to try
>>> and shake hands with the prisoner and then take their arms
>>> round the back in that way. Another nice touch was
>>> that the Clergyman started reading the funeral service and
>>> the High Sheriff read out the sentence - both already in the
>>> topping cell immediately the door to the condemned cell next
>>> door was opened, and the hangman walked in.
>>>
>>> The element of surprise and orchestrated moves is also used
>>> in Saudi beheadings. The prisoner is told to kneel with his head
>>> bent forward. The executioner then pricks him in the small of
>>> his back with the point of his sword. and as the prisoner
>>> straightens up he slices his head off horizontally.
>>>
>>> In neither case does the condemned person realise what's about
>>> to happen.
>>>
>>> The Yanks, with all their strapping people into chairs or on
>>> stretchers simply have no class.
>> You know an awful lot about this subject!  :-0
> 
> I've just been having a quick skim through Pierrepoints book
> "Executioner Pierrepoint" he doesn't mention the sliding
> cupboard so I don't know where that's from but I certainly
> didn't make it up. There's no indication they stripped the
> bodies, just opened the shirt for the doctor to confirm death
> after ten minutes. Then lowered the body straight into the coffin
> after half an hour. Rading the funeral service may have been in the
> old days as the clegyman was with the prisoner in the condemned
> cell and accompanied him through into the drop cell
> 
> If you want gruesome, you can't do much better than  -
> 
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Thompson
> 
> 1922
> 
> Makes the execution of Ruth Ellis sound more like the Teddy Bears
> picnic.
> 
> 
> 

I'm sure about the sliding cupboard too - I saw it demonstrated in 
documentary.

I thought the film dealt with the subject excellently , the way 
attitudes shifted and he became more unsure of what he was doing. There 
is a raft of stuff on wiki about him as well as some dispute about 
whether he actually became anti capital punishment , his remarks from 
his book feature at the end of the film about hanging being just revenge 
rather than anything else. Thee is also much debate about the actual 
amount of hangings he did.

Either was had it been a deterrent he would have been out of a job - 
when Myra Hyndly used to be in the press people would say they should 
have hung her and Brady , yet Brady was Insane so wouldn't have hung.

Just lock them up and keep them there - quite simple.

gavin wrote:
> "michael adams"  wrote in message 
> news:6hi6coFlkrhvU1@mid.individual.net...
>> "gavin"  wrote in message
>> news:vbRsk.579359$3p2.168640@fe10.news.easynews.com...
>>> "michael adams"  wrote in message
>>> news:6hi18uFm326pU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
>>>> news:g8v9lj$4tm$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>>>
>>>>> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No
>>>>> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>>>>>
>>>>> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
>>>>
>>>> The only bit that was wrong was that the entrance to the actual
>>>> drop from the condemned cell in most prisons was via a tall cupboard
>>>> against a wall that slid aside on rails, rather
>>>> than through a door.
>>>> All work on the gallows, testing the rope etc was always done
>>>> when the condemned prisoner was out of the condemned cell
>>>> on exercise. That's where the element of surprise came in
>>>> as the cupboard was slid back while the prisoner's back was
>>>> turned. They couldn't usually see the rope from through the
>>>> entrance either, it would have been to one side and if they
>>>> kept their eyes on the hangman they'd have only have noticed
>>>> when they were almost right up to it. Pierrepoint used to try
>>>> and shake hands with the prisoner and then take their arms
>>>> round the back in that way. Another nice touch was
>>>> that the Clergyman started reading the funeral service and
>>>> the High Sheriff read out the sentence - both already in the
>>>> topping cell immediately the door to the condemned cell next
>>>> door was opened, and the hangman walked in.
>>>>
>>>> The element of surprise and orchestrated moves is also used
>>>> in Saudi beheadings. The prisoner is told to kneel with his head
>>>> bent forward. The executioner then pricks him in the small of
>>>> his back with the point of his sword. and as the prisoner
>>>> straightens up he slices his head off horizontally.
>>>>
>>>> In neither case does the condemned person realise what's about
>>>> to happen.
>>>>
>>>> The Yanks, with all their strapping people into chairs or on
>>>> stretchers simply have no class.
>>> You know an awful lot about this subject!  :-0
>> I've just been having a quick skim through Pierrepoints book
>> "Executioner Pierrepoint" he doesn't mention the sliding
>> cupboard so I don't know where that's from but I certainly
>> didn't make it up. There's no indication they stripped the
>> bodies, just opened the shirt for the doctor to confirm death
>> after ten minutes. Then lowered the body straight into the coffin
>> after half an hour. Rading the funeral service may have been in the
>> old days as the clegyman was with the prisoner in the condemned
>> cell and accompanied him through into the drop cell
>>
>> If you want gruesome, you can't do much better than  -
>>
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Thompson
>>
>> 1922
>>
>> Makes the execution of Ruth Ellis sound more like the Teddy Bears
>> picnic.
> 
> Thanks for that, Michael - almost put me off my lunch! 
> 
> 
Was a bit of a gruesome read over lunch but my state of near starvation 
over came it!

"Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message 
news:g90sov$d95$1@registered.motzarella.org...
> gavin wrote:
>> "michael adams"  wrote in message 
>> news:6hi6coFlkrhvU1@mid.individual.net...
>>> "gavin"  wrote in message
>>> news:vbRsk.579359$3p2.168640@fe10.news.easynews.com...
>>>> "michael adams"  wrote in message
>>>> news:6hi18uFm326pU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>>> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
>>>>> news:g8v9lj$4tm$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>>>>
>>>>>> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . 
>>>>>> No
>>>>>> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
>>>>>
>>>>> The only bit that was wrong was that the entrance to the actual
>>>>> drop from the condemned cell in most prisons was via a tall cupboard
>>>>> against a wall that slid aside on rails, rather
>>>>> than through a door.
>>>>> All work on the gallows, testing the rope etc was always done
>>>>> when the condemned prisoner was out of the condemned cell
>>>>> on exercise. That's where the element of surprise came in
>>>>> as the cupboard was slid back while the prisoner's back was
>>>>> turned. They couldn't usually see the rope from through the
>>>>> entrance either, it would have been to one side and if they
>>>>> kept their eyes on the hangman they'd have only have noticed
>>>>> when they were almost right up to it. Pierrepoint used to try
>>>>> and shake hands with the prisoner and then take their arms
>>>>> round the back in that way. Another nice touch was
>>>>> that the Clergyman started reading the funeral service and
>>>>> the High Sheriff read out the sentence - both already in the
>>>>> topping cell immediately the door to the condemned cell next
>>>>> door was opened, and the hangman walked in.
>>>>>
>>>>> The element of surprise and orchestrated moves is also used
>>>>> in Saudi beheadings. The prisoner is told to kneel with his head
>>>>> bent forward. The executioner then pricks him in the small of
>>>>> his back with the point of his sword. and as the prisoner
>>>>> straightens up he slices his head off horizontally.
>>>>>
>>>>> In neither case does the condemned person realise what's about
>>>>> to happen.
>>>>>
>>>>> The Yanks, with all their strapping people into chairs or on
>>>>> stretchers simply have no class.
>>>> You know an awful lot about this subject!  :-0
>>> I've just been having a quick skim through Pierrepoints book
>>> "Executioner Pierrepoint" he doesn't mention the sliding
>>> cupboard so I don't know where that's from but I certainly
>>> didn't make it up. There's no indication they stripped the
>>> bodies, just opened the shirt for the doctor to confirm death
>>> after ten minutes. Then lowered the body straight into the coffin
>>> after half an hour. Rading the funeral service may have been in the
>>> old days as the clegyman was with the prisoner in the condemned
>>> cell and accompanied him through into the drop cell
>>>
>>> If you want gruesome, you can't do much better than  -
>>>
>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Thompson
>>>
>>> 1922
>>>
>>> Makes the execution of Ruth Ellis sound more like the Teddy Bears
>>> picnic.
>>
>> Thanks for that, Michael - almost put me off my lunch!
> Was a bit of a gruesome read over lunch but my state of near starvation 
> over came it!

Keep the glycogen topped up!

"Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message 
news:g90sdi$ba7$1@registered.motzarella.org...

> Either was had it been a deterrent he would have been out of a job - when 
> Myra Hyndly used to be in the press people would say they should have hung 
> her and Brady , yet Brady was Insane so wouldn't have hung.

Point of order, Mr Spud! The past participle of the intransitive verb "to 
hang" is "hanged" not "hung"  :-)



> Just lock them up and keep them there - quite simple.

Which means we pay for that? I can imagine a fair number of objectors!

gavin wrote:
> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message 
> news:g90sdi$ba7$1@registered.motzarella.org...
> 
>> Either was had it been a deterrent he would have been out of a job - when 
>> Myra Hyndly used to be in the press people would say they should have hung 
>> her and Brady , yet Brady was Insane so wouldn't have hung.
> 
> Point of order, Mr Spud! The past participle of the intransitive verb "to 
> hang" is "hanged" not "hung"  :-)


LOL - Brady has been hanging about for years!
> 
> 
> 
>> Just lock them up and keep them there - quite simple.
> 
> Which means we pay for that? I can imagine a fair number of objectors! 
> 
> 

Ahh but capital punishment was meant as a deterrent - not as vengeance, 
the money objections are minuscule in the wider sense , build more 
prisons it'll create jobs .

gavin wrote:
> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message 
> news:g90sov$d95$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>> gavin wrote:
>>> "michael adams"  wrote in message 
>>> news:6hi6coFlkrhvU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>> "gavin"  wrote in message
>>>> news:vbRsk.579359$3p2.168640@fe10.news.easynews.com...
>>>>> "michael adams"  wrote in message
>>>>> news:6hi18uFm326pU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>>>> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
>>>>>> news:g8v9lj$4tm$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . 
>>>>>>> No
>>>>>>> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
>>>>>> The only bit that was wrong was that the entrance to the actual
>>>>>> drop from the condemned cell in most prisons was via a tall cupboard
>>>>>> against a wall that slid aside on rails, rather
>>>>>> than through a door.
>>>>>> All work on the gallows, testing the rope etc was always done
>>>>>> when the condemned prisoner was out of the condemned cell
>>>>>> on exercise. That's where the element of surprise came in
>>>>>> as the cupboard was slid back while the prisoner's back was
>>>>>> turned. They couldn't usually see the rope from through the
>>>>>> entrance either, it would have been to one side and if they
>>>>>> kept their eyes on the hangman they'd have only have noticed
>>>>>> when they were almost right up to it. Pierrepoint used to try
>>>>>> and shake hands with the prisoner and then take their arms
>>>>>> round the back in that way. Another nice touch was
>>>>>> that the Clergyman started reading the funeral service and
>>>>>> the High Sheriff read out the sentence - both already in the
>>>>>> topping cell immediately the door to the condemned cell next
>>>>>> door was opened, and the hangman walked in.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The element of surprise and orchestrated moves is also used
>>>>>> in Saudi beheadings. The prisoner is told to kneel with his head
>>>>>> bent forward. The executioner then pricks him in the small of
>>>>>> his back with the point of his sword. and as the prisoner
>>>>>> straightens up he slices his head off horizontally.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> In neither case does the condemned person realise what's about
>>>>>> to happen.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The Yanks, with all their strapping people into chairs or on
>>>>>> stretchers simply have no class.
>>>>> You know an awful lot about this subject!  :-0
>>>> I've just been having a quick skim through Pierrepoints book
>>>> "Executioner Pierrepoint" he doesn't mention the sliding
>>>> cupboard so I don't know where that's from but I certainly
>>>> didn't make it up. There's no indication they stripped the
>>>> bodies, just opened the shirt for the doctor to confirm death
>>>> after ten minutes. Then lowered the body straight into the coffin
>>>> after half an hour. Rading the funeral service may have been in the
>>>> old days as the clegyman was with the prisoner in the condemned
>>>> cell and accompanied him through into the drop cell
>>>>
>>>> If you want gruesome, you can't do much better than  -
>>>>
>>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Thompson
>>>>
>>>> 1922
>>>>
>>>> Makes the execution of Ruth Ellis sound more like the Teddy Bears
>>>> picnic.
>>> Thanks for that, Michael - almost put me off my lunch!
>> Was a bit of a gruesome read over lunch but my state of near starvation 
>> over came it!
> 
> Keep the glycogen topped up! 
> 
> 

I had a awful 3:30 run on Sunday which I'm having trouble recovering 
from - too much running on holiday I think.

Oh and I need new trainers too - my hip hurts , the sign my trainers are 
worn out.

On Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:51:10 +0100, Sofa - Spud
 wrote:

>gavin wrote:
>> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message 
>> news:g90sov$d95$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>> gavin wrote:
>>>> "michael adams"  wrote in message 
>>>> news:6hi6coFlkrhvU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>>> "gavin"  wrote in message
>>>>> news:vbRsk.579359$3p2.168640@fe10.news.easynews.com...
>>>>>> "michael adams"  wrote in message
>>>>>> news:6hi18uFm326pU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>>>>> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
>>>>>>> news:g8v9lj$4tm$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . 
>>>>>>>> No
>>>>>>>> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
>>>>>>> The only bit that was wrong was that the entrance to the actual
>>>>>>> drop from the condemned cell in most prisons was via a tall cupboard
>>>>>>> against a wall that slid aside on rails, rather
>>>>>>> than through a door.
>>>>>>> All work on the gallows, testing the rope etc was always done
>>>>>>> when the condemned prisoner was out of the condemned cell
>>>>>>> on exercise. That's where the element of surprise came in
>>>>>>> as the cupboard was slid back while the prisoner's back was
>>>>>>> turned. They couldn't usually see the rope from through the
>>>>>>> entrance either, it would have been to one side and if they
>>>>>>> kept their eyes on the hangman they'd have only have noticed
>>>>>>> when they were almost right up to it. Pierrepoint used to try
>>>>>>> and shake hands with the prisoner and then take their arms
>>>>>>> round the back in that way. Another nice touch was
>>>>>>> that the Clergyman started reading the funeral service and
>>>>>>> the High Sheriff read out the sentence - both already in the
>>>>>>> topping cell immediately the door to the condemned cell next
>>>>>>> door was opened, and the hangman walked in.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The element of surprise and orchestrated moves is also used
>>>>>>> in Saudi beheadings. The prisoner is told to kneel with his head
>>>>>>> bent forward. The executioner then pricks him in the small of
>>>>>>> his back with the point of his sword. and as the prisoner
>>>>>>> straightens up he slices his head off horizontally.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> In neither case does the condemned person realise what's about
>>>>>>> to happen.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The Yanks, with all their strapping people into chairs or on
>>>>>>> stretchers simply have no class.
>>>>>> You know an awful lot about this subject!  :-0
>>>>> I've just been having a quick skim through Pierrepoints book
>>>>> "Executioner Pierrepoint" he doesn't mention the sliding
>>>>> cupboard so I don't know where that's from but I certainly
>>>>> didn't make it up. There's no indication they stripped the
>>>>> bodies, just opened the shirt for the doctor to confirm death
>>>>> after ten minutes. Then lowered the body straight into the coffin
>>>>> after half an hour. Rading the funeral service may have been in the
>>>>> old days as the clegyman was with the prisoner in the condemned
>>>>> cell and accompanied him through into the drop cell
>>>>>
>>>>> If you want gruesome, you can't do much better than  -
>>>>>
>>>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Thompson
>>>>>
>>>>> 1922
>>>>>
>>>>> Makes the execution of Ruth Ellis sound more like the Teddy Bears
>>>>> picnic.
>>>> Thanks for that, Michael - almost put me off my lunch!
>>> Was a bit of a gruesome read over lunch but my state of near starvation 
>>> over came it!
>> 
>> Keep the glycogen topped up! 
>> 
>> 
>
>I had a awful 3:30 run on Sunday which I'm having trouble recovering 
>from - too much running on holiday I think.
>
>Oh and I need new trainers too - my hip hurts , the sign my trainers are 
>worn out.

Or your hips are wearing out .LOL

On Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:53:30 +0100, NOSPAMnet@gmail.com wrote:

>On Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:51:10 +0100, Sofa - Spud
> wrote:
>
>>gavin wrote:
>>> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message 
>>> news:g90sov$d95$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>>> gavin wrote:
>>>>> "michael adams"  wrote in message 
>>>>> news:6hi6coFlkrhvU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>>>> "gavin"  wrote in message
>>>>>> news:vbRsk.579359$3p2.168640@fe10.news.easynews.com...
>>>>>>> "michael adams"  wrote in message
>>>>>>> news:6hi18uFm326pU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>>>>>> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
>>>>>>>> news:g8v9lj$4tm$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . 
>>>>>>>>> No
>>>>>>>>> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
>>>>>>>> The only bit that was wrong was that the entrance to the actual
>>>>>>>> drop from the condemned cell in most prisons was via a tall cupboard
>>>>>>>> against a wall that slid aside on rails, rather
>>>>>>>> than through a door.
>>>>>>>> All work on the gallows, testing the rope etc was always done
>>>>>>>> when the condemned prisoner was out of the condemned cell
>>>>>>>> on exercise. That's where the element of surprise came in
>>>>>>>> as the cupboard was slid back while the prisoner's back was
>>>>>>>> turned. They couldn't usually see the rope from through the
>>>>>>>> entrance either, it would have been to one side and if they
>>>>>>>> kept their eyes on the hangman they'd have only have noticed
>>>>>>>> when they were almost right up to it. Pierrepoint used to try
>>>>>>>> and shake hands with the prisoner and then take their arms
>>>>>>>> round the back in that way. Another nice touch was
>>>>>>>> that the Clergyman started reading the funeral service and
>>>>>>>> the High Sheriff read out the sentence - both already in the
>>>>>>>> topping cell immediately the door to the condemned cell next
>>>>>>>> door was opened, and the hangman walked in.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The element of surprise and orchestrated moves is also used
>>>>>>>> in Saudi beheadings. The prisoner is told to kneel with his head
>>>>>>>> bent forward. The executioner then pricks him in the small of
>>>>>>>> his back with the point of his sword. and as the prisoner
>>>>>>>> straightens up he slices his head off horizontally.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> In neither case does the condemned person realise what's about
>>>>>>>> to happen.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The Yanks, with all their strapping people into chairs or on
>>>>>>>> stretchers simply have no class.
>>>>>>> You know an awful lot about this subject!  :-0
>>>>>> I've just been having a quick skim through Pierrepoints book
>>>>>> "Executioner Pierrepoint" he doesn't mention the sliding
>>>>>> cupboard so I don't know where that's from but I certainly
>>>>>> didn't make it up. There's no indication they stripped the
>>>>>> bodies, just opened the shirt for the doctor to confirm death
>>>>>> after ten minutes. Then lowered the body straight into the coffin
>>>>>> after half an hour. Rading the funeral service may have been in the
>>>>>> old days as the clegyman was with the prisoner in the condemned
>>>>>> cell and accompanied him through into the drop cell
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If you want gruesome, you can't do much better than  -
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Thompson
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 1922
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Makes the execution of Ruth Ellis sound more like the Teddy Bears
>>>>>> picnic.
>>>>> Thanks for that, Michael - almost put me off my lunch!
>>>> Was a bit of a gruesome read over lunch but my state of near starvation 
>>>> over came it!
>>> 
>>> Keep the glycogen topped up! 
>>> 
>>> 
>>
>>I had a awful 3:30 run on Sunday which I'm having trouble recovering 
>>from - too much running on holiday I think.
>>
>>Oh and I need new trainers too - my hip hurts , the sign my trainers are 
>>worn out.
>
>Or your hips are wearing out .LOL

and Sofa has the Lanzarote runs.
-- 

Martin

NOSPAMnet@gmail.com wrote:
> On Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:51:10 +0100, Sofa - Spud
>  wrote:
> 
>> gavin wrote:
>>> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message 
>>> news:g90sov$d95$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>>> gavin wrote:
>>>>> "michael adams"  wrote in message 
>>>>> news:6hi6coFlkrhvU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>>>> "gavin"  wrote in message
>>>>>> news:vbRsk.579359$3p2.168640@fe10.news.easynews.com...
>>>>>>> "michael adams"  wrote in message
>>>>>>> news:6hi18uFm326pU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>>>>>> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
>>>>>>>> news:g8v9lj$4tm$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . 
>>>>>>>>> No
>>>>>>>>> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
>>>>>>>> The only bit that was wrong was that the entrance to the actual
>>>>>>>> drop from the condemned cell in most prisons was via a tall cupboard
>>>>>>>> against a wall that slid aside on rails, rather
>>>>>>>> than through a door.
>>>>>>>> All work on the gallows, testing the rope etc was always done
>>>>>>>> when the condemned prisoner was out of the condemned cell
>>>>>>>> on exercise. That's where the element of surprise came in
>>>>>>>> as the cupboard was slid back while the prisoner's back was
>>>>>>>> turned. They couldn't usually see the rope from through the
>>>>>>>> entrance either, it would have been to one side and if they
>>>>>>>> kept their eyes on the hangman they'd have only have noticed
>>>>>>>> when they were almost right up to it. Pierrepoint used to try
>>>>>>>> and shake hands with the prisoner and then take their arms
>>>>>>>> round the back in that way. Another nice touch was
>>>>>>>> that the Clergyman started reading the funeral service and
>>>>>>>> the High Sheriff read out the sentence - both already in the
>>>>>>>> topping cell immediately the door to the condemned cell next
>>>>>>>> door was opened, and the hangman walked in.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The element of surprise and orchestrated moves is also used
>>>>>>>> in Saudi beheadings. The prisoner is told to kneel with his head
>>>>>>>> bent forward. The executioner then pricks him in the small of
>>>>>>>> his back with the point of his sword. and as the prisoner
>>>>>>>> straightens up he slices his head off horizontally.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> In neither case does the condemned person realise what's about
>>>>>>>> to happen.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The Yanks, with all their strapping people into chairs or on
>>>>>>>> stretchers simply have no class.
>>>>>>> You know an awful lot about this subject!  :-0
>>>>>> I've just been having a quick skim through Pierrepoints book
>>>>>> "Executioner Pierrepoint" he doesn't mention the sliding
>>>>>> cupboard so I don't know where that's from but I certainly
>>>>>> didn't make it up. There's no indication they stripped the
>>>>>> bodies, just opened the shirt for the doctor to confirm death
>>>>>> after ten minutes. Then lowered the body straight into the coffin
>>>>>> after half an hour. Rading the funeral service may have been in the
>>>>>> old days as the clegyman was with the prisoner in the condemned
>>>>>> cell and accompanied him through into the drop cell
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If you want gruesome, you can't do much better than  -
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Thompson
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 1922
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Makes the execution of Ruth Ellis sound more like the Teddy Bears
>>>>>> picnic.
>>>>> Thanks for that, Michael - almost put me off my lunch!
>>>> Was a bit of a gruesome read over lunch but my state of near starvation 
>>>> over came it!
>>> Keep the glycogen topped up! 
>>>
>>>
>> I had a awful 3:30 run on Sunday which I'm having trouble recovering 
>>from - too much running on holiday I think.
>> Oh and I need new trainers too - my hip hurts , the sign my trainers are 
>> worn out.
> 
> Or your hips are wearing out .LOL

LOL - they are already worn out ! but ache is a sure sign of worn out 
trainers for me!!

"Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
news:g90sdi$ba7$1@registered.motzarella.org...
> michael adams wrote:
> > "gavin"  wrote in message
> > news:vbRsk.579359$3p2.168640@fe10.news.easynews.com...
> >> "michael adams"  wrote in message
> >> news:6hi18uFm326pU1@mid.individual.net...
> >>> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
> >>> news:g8v9lj$4tm$1@registered.motzarella.org...
> >>>
> >>>> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No
> >>>> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
> >>>>
> >>>> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
> >>>
> >>> The only bit that was wrong was that the entrance to the actual
> >>> drop from the condemned cell in most prisons was via a tall cupboard
> >>> against a wall that slid aside on rails, rather
> >>> than through a door.
> >>> All work on the gallows, testing the rope etc was always done
> >>> when the condemned prisoner was out of the condemned cell
> >>> on exercise. That's where the element of surprise came in
> >>> as the cupboard was slid back while the prisoner's back was
> >>> turned. They couldn't usually see the rope from through the
> >>> entrance either, it would have been to one side and if they
> >>> kept their eyes on the hangman they'd have only have noticed
> >>> when they were almost right up to it. Pierrepoint used to try
> >>> and shake hands with the prisoner and then take their arms
> >>> round the back in that way. Another nice touch was
> >>> that the Clergyman started reading the funeral service and
> >>> the High Sheriff read out the sentence - both already in the
> >>> topping cell immediately the door to the condemned cell next
> >>> door was opened, and the hangman walked in.
> >>>
> >>> The element of surprise and orchestrated moves is also used
> >>> in Saudi beheadings. The prisoner is told to kneel with his head
> >>> bent forward. The executioner then pricks him in the small of
> >>> his back with the point of his sword. and as the prisoner
> >>> straightens up he slices his head off horizontally.
> >>>
> >>> In neither case does the condemned person realise what's about
> >>> to happen.
> >>>
> >>> The Yanks, with all their strapping people into chairs or on
> >>> stretchers simply have no class.
> >> You know an awful lot about this subject!  :-0
> >
> > I've just been having a quick skim through Pierrepoints book
> > "Executioner Pierrepoint" he doesn't mention the sliding
> > cupboard so I don't know where that's from but I certainly
> > didn't make it up. There's no indication they stripped the
> > bodies, just opened the shirt for the doctor to confirm death
> > after ten minutes. Then lowered the body straight into the coffin
> > after half an hour. Rading the funeral service may have been in the
> > old days as the clegyman was with the prisoner in the condemned
> > cell and accompanied him through into the drop cell
> >
> > If you want gruesome, you can't do much better than  -
> >
> > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Thompson
> >
> > 1922
> >
> > Makes the execution of Ruth Ellis sound more like the Teddy Bears
> > picnic.
> >
> >
> >
>
> I'm sure about the sliding cupboard too - I saw it demonstrated in
> documentary.
>
> I thought the film dealt with the subject excellently , the way
> attitudes shifted and he became more unsure of what he was doing. There
> is a raft of stuff on wiki about him as well as some dispute about
> whether he actually became anti capital punishment , his remarks from
> his book feature at the end of the film about hanging being just revenge
> rather than anything else. Thee is also much debate about the actual
> amount of hangings he did.


In the book he made the point that most of the condemned met their fate
with resignation. He seemed to think this implied that they didn't regard
capital punishment as a deterrent as they'd have needed to be carried
screaming to the gallows. But I'm not sure that that follows regardless
of the merits of the actual question.

But whatever they do for the condemned between the trial and execution
misacarriages of justice certainly did affect, if not destroy the lives of
surviving relatives. Who's only remaining interest in life was often the vain
hope of securing a pardon. And the righting of an obvious Injustice.

There was the bit in the film where he hanged Timothy Evans who was
still protesting his innocence. But no indication of Pierrepoint
paying any attention to the subsequent Christie case.

In most cases the Governer spoke to the condemned on the night
prior to the execution in the hope of obtaining a confession.
None can have been forthcoming in the Evans case otherwise it
would presumably have been leaked.

Pierrepoint's attitude seemed to be that if it wasn't him, some
other bungler might be given the job instead. And make things
even more unpleasant than they might otherwise need to be.

...



>
> Either was had it been a deterrent he would have been out of a job -
> when Myra Hyndly used to be in the press people would say they should
> have hung her and Brady , yet Brady was Insane so wouldn't have hung.
>
> Just lock them up and keep them there - quite simple.

One other nice touch from the book. The question of not getting paid
for reprieves was raised by his wife in the film. Pierrpoints father
also an executioner was also a bookie and he when he was offered a
job he tried to assess the "form" to work out whether a reprieve
was likely or not. The executioner was always told the name and the
case and had the option of turning it down. So he tried to leave the
likely reprieves to the others.

I don't think there's any actual evidence in support of the central
theme of the film about his having to hang his former friend - who'd
subsequently changed his name, but it made for good drama. For all his
writing the book, he was still fairly reticent and had it been true I doubt
he'd have mentioned it anyway for fear of upsetting the blokes surviving family.

Pierrepoint also carried on lots of executions in the Irish Republic
in the late 30's early 40's at the behest of the DeValera Govt hanging
IRA men. As nobody in Ireland would do it for fear of the consequences should
it ever leak out. And yet De Valera was able to walk around without
bodyguards.


michael adams

...



michael adams

...

"Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message 
news:g90u4c$li2$1@registered.motzarella.org...

> Ahh but capital punishment was meant as a deterrent - not as vengeance,

How about a "punishment"?

"gavin"  wrote in message
news:hWSsk.563246$I42.380813@fe04.news.easynews.com...

> Which means we pay for that? I can imagine a fair number of objectors!
>
>

Just so long as when you're hanged for a crime you didn't commit
I don't have to put up with your whinging "loved ones" going on and
on about how you were innocent, for years on end.

How does that sound ?


michael adams

"michael adams"  wrote in message 
news:6hid43Fm5ls8U1@mid.individual.net...
>
> "gavin"  wrote in message
> news:hWSsk.563246$I42.380813@fe04.news.easynews.com...
>
>> Which means we pay for that? I can imagine a fair number of objectors!
>>
>>
>
> Just so long as when you're hanged for a crime you didn't commit
> I don't have to put up with your whinging "loved ones" going on and
> on about how you were innocent, for years on end.


Absolutely!

On Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:39:35 +0100, "michael adams"
 wrote:
>"Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
>news:g8v9lj$4tm$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>
>> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No
>> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>>
>> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
>
>The only bit that was wrong was that the entrance to the actual
>drop from the condemned cell in most prisons was via a tall cupboard
>against a wall that slid aside on rails, rather
>than through a door.
>All work on the gallows, testing the rope etc was always done
>when the condemned prisoner was out of the condemned cell
>on exercise. That's where the element of surprise came in
>as the cupboard was slid back while the prisoner's back was
>turned. They couldn't usually see the rope from through the
>entrance either, it would have been to one side and if they
>kept their eyes on the hangman they'd have only have noticed
>when they were almost right up to it. Pierrepoint used to try
>and shake hands with the prisoner and then take their arms
>round the back in that way. Another nice touch was
>that the Clergyman started reading the funeral service and
>the High Sheriff read out the sentence - both already in the
>topping cell immediately the door to the condemned cell next
>door was opened, and the hangman walked in.

Did it have the Derek Bentley case in this programme? I remember in
'Let Him Have It' being very (rightly) shocked at the execution
because of how brutal/no-nonsense, organised and extremely fast it was
done.

"Froot Bat"  wrote in message
news:48b4068c$0$13873$8a667849@news.ak47.org...
> On Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:39:35 +0100, "michael adams"
>  wrote:
> >"Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
> >news:g8v9lj$4tm$1@registered.motzarella.org...
> >
> >> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No
> >> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
> >>
> >> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
> >
> >The only bit that was wrong was that the entrance to the actual
> >drop from the condemned cell in most prisons was via a tall cupboard
> >against a wall that slid aside on rails, rather
> >than through a door.
> >All work on the gallows, testing the rope etc was always done
> >when the condemned prisoner was out of the condemned cell
> >on exercise. That's where the element of surprise came in
> >as the cupboard was slid back while the prisoner's back was
> >turned. They couldn't usually see the rope from through the
> >entrance either, it would have been to one side and if they
> >kept their eyes on the hangman they'd have only have noticed
> >when they were almost right up to it. Pierrepoint used to try
> >and shake hands with the prisoner and then take their arms
> >round the back in that way. Another nice touch was
> >that the Clergyman started reading the funeral service and
> >the High Sheriff read out the sentence - both already in the
> >topping cell immediately the door to the condemned cell next
> >door was opened, and the hangman walked in.
>
> Did it have the Derek Bentley case in this programme? I remember in
> 'Let Him Have It' being very (rightly) shocked at the execution
> because of how brutal/no-nonsense, organised and extremely fast it was
> done.

Hardly any reference was made to the identities of the prisoners at
all. Except for Ruth Ellis right at the end who was readily identifiable.
I think this was deliberate so as to reflect Pierrepoints own position. He
didn't want to know who they were, or even the crime. If the Court sentenced
them to death then without a reprieve they were going to hang come what may.
Someone would have to do it and he was confident he could do an efficent job
with the least delay to the prisoner.

It's not brutal - if the guys gotta go then the quicker the better for
all concerned. The governor, the Sherrif, doctors and priests may have
to do many more of these and so the strain is on them as well.

I'm not sure if he did Derek Bentley or not.

You'd have had to be concentrationg pretty hard to realise it
was Timothy Evans being hung, except he said "it was Christie done it"
when the bag was put on his head. This was a bit of creative licence
as at the time it would have been unlikely Evans could have been so
certain, as he wasn't exactly the sharpest knife in the box. And it was
only after the discovery of the other bodies - when the new tenant in
Rillington Place found the body behind the kitchen wall - the first of
many  that Christie was implicated for sure. Up until that point he'd
been regarded as a model citizen having been a Special Contable
at one point ISTR.


michael adams

...
>

> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
> news:g8v9lj$4tm$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>
>> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No
>> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>>
>> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!

Knew I should have set the recorder! Anyone know if it's going to be 
repeated elsewhere?

TIA

Steve

"NewsOnline"  wrote in message 
news:dqWsk.252278$Mn3.10811@newsfe30.ams2...

> Knew I should have set the recorder! Anyone know if it's going to be 
> repeated elsewhere?

Not according to Digiguide.

Ian

In <dqWsk.252278$Mn3.10811@newsfe30.ams2>, "NewsOnline"
 wrote:

>
>> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
>> news:g8v9lj$4tm$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>
>>> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No
>>> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>>>
>>> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
>
>Knew I should have set the recorder! 

It's easy to be caught off guard - it was an ITV drama after all!

>Anyone know if it's going to be repeated elsewhere?

Nothing in the schedules unfortunately. This makes perfect sense for ITV -
have something good, so show it just once. Meanwhile repeat the rest of
your wall to wall crap across multiple channels endlessly.

michael adams wrote:
> "gavin"  wrote in message
> news:hWSsk.563246$I42.380813@fe04.news.easynews.com...
> 
>> Which means we pay for that? I can imagine a fair number of objectors!
>>
>>
> 
> Just so long as when you're hanged for a crime you didn't commit
> I don't have to put up with your whinging "loved ones" going on and
> on about how you were innocent, for years on end.
> 
> How does that sound ?
> 
> 
> michael adams
> 
> 

Looking around Wiki at lunchtime I came across the Hanratty A6 murder 
case - for years they'd protested his innocence only for DNA taken from 
his exhumed body to be matched to stuff taken from the crime scene .

No capital punishment isn't worth the hassle - whilst many would agree 
that Ian Huntley ought to swing they'd be up in arms about some other 
less emotive murderer.

michael adams wrote:
> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
> news:g90sdi$ba7$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>> michael adams wrote:
>>> "gavin"  wrote in message
>>> news:vbRsk.579359$3p2.168640@fe10.news.easynews.com...
>>>> "michael adams"  wrote in message
>>>> news:6hi18uFm326pU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>>> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
>>>>> news:g8v9lj$4tm$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>>>>
>>>>>> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No
>>>>>> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
>>>>> The only bit that was wrong was that the entrance to the actual
>>>>> drop from the condemned cell in most prisons was via a tall cupboard
>>>>> against a wall that slid aside on rails, rather
>>>>> than through a door.
>>>>> All work on the gallows, testing the rope etc was always done
>>>>> when the condemned prisoner was out of the condemned cell
>>>>> on exercise. That's where the element of surprise came in
>>>>> as the cupboard was slid back while the prisoner's back was
>>>>> turned. They couldn't usually see the rope from through the
>>>>> entrance either, it would have been to one side and if they
>>>>> kept their eyes on the hangman they'd have only have noticed
>>>>> when they were almost right up to it. Pierrepoint used to try
>>>>> and shake hands with the prisoner and then take their arms
>>>>> round the back in that way. Another nice touch was
>>>>> that the Clergyman started reading the funeral service and
>>>>> the High Sheriff read out the sentence - both already in the
>>>>> topping cell immediately the door to the condemned cell next
>>>>> door was opened, and the hangman walked in.
>>>>>
>>>>> The element of surprise and orchestrated moves is also used
>>>>> in Saudi beheadings. The prisoner is told to kneel with his head
>>>>> bent forward. The executioner then pricks him in the small of
>>>>> his back with the point of his sword. and as the prisoner
>>>>> straightens up he slices his head off horizontally.
>>>>>
>>>>> In neither case does the condemned person realise what's about
>>>>> to happen.
>>>>>
>>>>> The Yanks, with all their strapping people into chairs or on
>>>>> stretchers simply have no class.
>>>> You know an awful lot about this subject!  :-0
>>> I've just been having a quick skim through Pierrepoints book
>>> "Executioner Pierrepoint" he doesn't mention the sliding
>>> cupboard so I don't know where that's from but I certainly
>>> didn't make it up. There's no indication they stripped the
>>> bodies, just opened the shirt for the doctor to confirm death
>>> after ten minutes. Then lowered the body straight into the coffin
>>> after half an hour. Rading the funeral service may have been in the
>>> old days as the clegyman was with the prisoner in the condemned
>>> cell and accompanied him through into the drop cell
>>>
>>> If you want gruesome, you can't do much better than  -
>>>
>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Thompson
>>>
>>> 1922
>>>
>>> Makes the execution of Ruth Ellis sound more like the Teddy Bears
>>> picnic.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> I'm sure about the sliding cupboard too - I saw it demonstrated in
>> documentary.
>>
>> I thought the film dealt with the subject excellently , the way
>> attitudes shifted and he became more unsure of what he was doing. There
>> is a raft of stuff on wiki about him as well as some dispute about
>> whether he actually became anti capital punishment , his remarks from
>> his book feature at the end of the film about hanging being just revenge
>> rather than anything else. Thee is also much debate about the actual
>> amount of hangings he did.
> 
> 
> In the book he made the point that most of the condemned met their fate
> with resignation. He seemed to think this implied that they didn't regard
> capital punishment as a deterrent as they'd have needed to be carried
> screaming to the gallows. But I'm not sure that that follows regardless
> of the merits of the actual question.

A gangland killer he hung said *cheerio* !!

> 
> But whatever they do for the condemned between the trial and execution
> misacarriages of justice certainly did affect, if not destroy the lives of
> surviving relatives. Who's only remaining interest in life was often the vain
> hope of securing a pardon. And the righting of an obvious Injustice.

Look how the mother of one of the Moors Murderer victims was treated by 
Longford. Justice is just too emotive - especially with a full on media 
, during the film he is unmasked and it all changed from there.

> 
> There was the bit in the film where he hanged Timothy Evans who was
> still protesting his innocence. But no indication of Pierrepoint
> paying any attention to the subsequent Christie case.
> 
> In most cases the Governer spoke to the condemned on the night
> prior to the execution in the hope of obtaining a confession.
> None can have been forthcoming in the Evans case otherwise it
> would presumably have been leaked.
> 
> Pierrepoint's attitude seemed to be that if it wasn't him, some
> other bungler might be given the job instead. And make things
> even more unpleasant than they might otherwise need to be.
> 

In contrast to the bloke right at the beginning that thought he could do 
it.

> 
> 
>> Either was had it been a deterrent he would have been out of a job -
>> when Myra Hyndly used to be in the press people would say they should
>> have hung her and Brady , yet Brady was Insane so wouldn't have hung.
>>
>> Just lock them up and keep them there - quite simple.
> 
> One other nice touch from the book. The question of not getting paid
> for reprieves was raised by his wife in the film. Pierrpoints father
> also an executioner was also a bookie and he when he was offered a
> job he tried to assess the "form" to work out whether a reprieve
> was likely or not. The executioner was always told the name and the
> case and had the option of turning it down. So he tried to leave the
> likely reprieves to the others.
> 
> I don't think there's any actual evidence in support of the central
> theme of the film about his having to hang his former friend - who'd
> subsequently changed his name, but it made for good drama. For all his
> writing the book, he was still fairly reticent and had it been true I doubt
> he'd have mentioned it anyway for fear of upsetting the blokes surviving family.
> 
> Pierrepoint also carried on lots of executions in the Irish Republic
> in the late 30's early 40's at the behest of the DeValera Govt hanging
> IRA men. As nobody in Ireland would do it for fear of the consequences should
> it ever leak out. And yet De Valera was able to walk around without
> bodyguards.
> 
> 

But as has been said the IRA wasn't really that big until 16th Para 
Brigade opened fire on Bloody Sunday.

"Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message 
news:g91h0n$8j7$1@registered.motzarella.org...
> michael adams wrote:
>> "gavin"  wrote in message
>> news:hWSsk.563246$I42.380813@fe04.news.easynews.com...
>>
>>> Which means we pay for that? I can imagine a fair number of objectors!
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Just so long as when you're hanged for a crime you didn't commit
>> I don't have to put up with your whinging "loved ones" going on and
>> on about how you were innocent, for years on end.
>>
>> How does that sound ?
>>
>>
>> michael adams
>>
>>
>
> Looking around Wiki at lunchtime I came across the Hanratty A6 murder 
> case - for years they'd protested his innocence only for DNA taken from 
> his exhumed body to be matched to stuff taken from the crime scene .
>
> No capital punishment isn't worth the hassle - whilst many would agree 
> that Ian Huntley ought to swing they'd be up in arms about some other less 
> emotive murderer.

True - but I wonder if you would feel differently if someone close to you 
had been murdered (heaven forbid!)?

Froot Bat wrote:
> On Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:39:35 +0100, "michael adams"
>  wrote:
>> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
>> news:g8v9lj$4tm$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>
>>> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No
>>> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>>>
>>> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
>> The only bit that was wrong was that the entrance to the actual
>> drop from the condemned cell in most prisons was via a tall cupboard
>> against a wall that slid aside on rails, rather
>> than through a door.
>> All work on the gallows, testing the rope etc was always done
>> when the condemned prisoner was out of the condemned cell
>> on exercise. That's where the element of surprise came in
>> as the cupboard was slid back while the prisoner's back was
>> turned. They couldn't usually see the rope from through the
>> entrance either, it would have been to one side and if they
>> kept their eyes on the hangman they'd have only have noticed
>> when they were almost right up to it. Pierrepoint used to try
>> and shake hands with the prisoner and then take their arms
>> round the back in that way. Another nice touch was
>> that the Clergyman started reading the funeral service and
>> the High Sheriff read out the sentence - both already in the
>> topping cell immediately the door to the condemned cell next
>> door was opened, and the hangman walked in.
> 
> Did it have the Derek Bentley case in this programme? I remember in
> 'Let Him Have It' being very (rightly) shocked at the execution
> because of how brutal/no-nonsense, organised and extremely fast it was
> done.
> 

No it didn't - I've not seen that film though , did it feature the 
sliding cupboard do you remember?

gavin wrote:
> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message 
> news:g91h0n$8j7$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>> michael adams wrote:
>>> "gavin"  wrote in message
>>> news:hWSsk.563246$I42.380813@fe04.news.easynews.com...
>>>
>>>> Which means we pay for that? I can imagine a fair number of objectors!
>>>>
>>>>
>>> Just so long as when you're hanged for a crime you didn't commit
>>> I don't have to put up with your whinging "loved ones" going on and
>>> on about how you were innocent, for years on end.
>>>
>>> How does that sound ?
>>>
>>>
>>> michael adams
>>>
>>>
>> Looking around Wiki at lunchtime I came across the Hanratty A6 murder 
>> case - for years they'd protested his innocence only for DNA taken from 
>> his exhumed body to be matched to stuff taken from the crime scene .
>>
>> No capital punishment isn't worth the hassle - whilst many would agree 
>> that Ian Huntley ought to swing they'd be up in arms about some other less 
>> emotive murderer.
> 
> True - but I wonder if you would feel differently if someone close to you 
> had been murdered (heaven forbid!)? 
> 
> 

This line always comes up - I'd want vengeance, but Capital Punishment 
is about *deterrent*.

"Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message 
news:g91hon$b64$3@registered.motzarella.org...
> gavin wrote:
>> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message 
>> news:g91h0n$8j7$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>> michael adams wrote:
>>>> "gavin"  wrote in message
>>>> news:hWSsk.563246$I42.380813@fe04.news.easynews.com...
>>>>
>>>>> Which means we pay for that? I can imagine a fair number of objectors!
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> Just so long as when you're hanged for a crime you didn't commit
>>>> I don't have to put up with your whinging "loved ones" going on and
>>>> on about how you were innocent, for years on end.
>>>>
>>>> How does that sound ?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> michael adams
>>>>
>>>>
>>> Looking around Wiki at lunchtime I came across the Hanratty A6 murder 
>>> case - for years they'd protested his innocence only for DNA taken from 
>>> his exhumed body to be matched to stuff taken from the crime scene .
>>>
>>> No capital punishment isn't worth the hassle - whilst many would agree 
>>> that Ian Huntley ought to swing they'd be up in arms about some other 
>>> less emotive murderer.
>>
>> True - but I wonder if you would feel differently if someone close to you 
>> had been murdered (heaven forbid!)?
>
> This line always comes up - I'd want vengeance, but Capital Punishment is 
> about *deterrent*.

It is until it affects you personally? That was my point.

gavin wrote:
> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message 
> news:g91hon$b64$3@registered.motzarella.org...
>> gavin wrote:
>>> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message 
>>> news:g91h0n$8j7$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>>> michael adams wrote:
>>>>> "gavin"  wrote in message
>>>>> news:hWSsk.563246$I42.380813@fe04.news.easynews.com...
>>>>>
>>>>>> Which means we pay for that? I can imagine a fair number of objectors!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>> Just so long as when you're hanged for a crime you didn't commit
>>>>> I don't have to put up with your whinging "loved ones" going on and
>>>>> on about how you were innocent, for years on end.
>>>>>
>>>>> How does that sound ?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> michael adams
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> Looking around Wiki at lunchtime I came across the Hanratty A6 murder 
>>>> case - for years they'd protested his innocence only for DNA taken from 
>>>> his exhumed body to be matched to stuff taken from the crime scene .
>>>>
>>>> No capital punishment isn't worth the hassle - whilst many would agree 
>>>> that Ian Huntley ought to swing they'd be up in arms about some other 
>>>> less emotive murderer.
>>> True - but I wonder if you would feel differently if someone close to you 
>>> had been murdered (heaven forbid!)?
>> This line always comes up - I'd want vengeance, but Capital Punishment is 
>> about *deterrent*.
> 
> It is until it affects you personally? That was my point. 
> 
> 

I know but it isn't a basis for the death penalty - some black bloke 
shoots another in Handsworth, who probably had already shot someone 
before and got away with it etc etc . That would be the every day 
reality of the Death Penalty.

Mike Henry wrote:

>>>> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
>> Knew I should have set the recorder! 
> 
> It's easy to be caught off guard - it was an ITV drama after all!

Actually strictly speaking it was a feature film, made by Granada. 'The Queen' 
was the same. I suspect they will repeat it. They repeated 'The Queen' before 
I got round to watching the original recording on my PVR.

Amazon have the DVD for sale for a fiver:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pierrepoint-Timothy-Spall/dp/B000GJ0NTS

(Other on-line DVD stores are available)



-- 
Mark
Please replace invalid and invalid with gmx and net to reply.

"Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message 
news:g91jga$pn8$1@registered.motzarella.org...
> gavin wrote:
>> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message 
>> news:g91hon$b64$3@registered.motzarella.org...
>>> gavin wrote:
>>>> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message 
>>>> news:g91h0n$8j7$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>>>> michael adams wrote:
>>>>>> "gavin"  wrote in message
>>>>>> news:hWSsk.563246$I42.380813@fe04.news.easynews.com...
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Which means we pay for that? I can imagine a fair number of 
>>>>>>> objectors!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> Just so long as when you're hanged for a crime you didn't commit
>>>>>> I don't have to put up with your whinging "loved ones" going on and
>>>>>> on about how you were innocent, for years on end.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> How does that sound ?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> michael adams
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>> Looking around Wiki at lunchtime I came across the Hanratty A6 murder 
>>>>> case - for years they'd protested his innocence only for DNA taken 
>>>>> from his exhumed body to be matched to stuff taken from the crime 
>>>>> scene .
>>>>>
>>>>> No capital punishment isn't worth the hassle - whilst many would agree 
>>>>> that Ian Huntley ought to swing they'd be up in arms about some other 
>>>>> less emotive murderer.
>>>> True - but I wonder if you would feel differently if someone close to 
>>>> you had been murdered (heaven forbid!)?
>>> This line always comes up - I'd want vengeance, but Capital Punishment 
>>> is about *deterrent*.
>>
>> It is until it affects you personally? That was my point.
>
> I know but it isn't a basis for the death penalty

It is for the individual concerned.

On Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:37:11 +0100, "michael adams"
 wrote:
>"Froot Bat"  wrote in message
>news:48b4068c$0$13873$8a667849@news.ak47.org...
>> On Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:39:35 +0100, "michael adams"
>>  wrote:
>> >"Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
>> >news:g8v9lj$4tm$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>> >
>> >> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No
>> >> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>> >>
>> >> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
>> >
>> >The only bit that was wrong was that the entrance to the actual
>> >drop from the condemned cell in most prisons was via a tall cupboard
>> >against a wall that slid aside on rails, rather
>> >than through a door.
>> >All work on the gallows, testing the rope etc was always done
>> >when the condemned prisoner was out of the condemned cell
>> >on exercise. That's where the element of surprise came in
>> >as the cupboard was slid back while the prisoner's back was
>> >turned. They couldn't usually see the rope from through the
>> >entrance either, it would have been to one side and if they
>> >kept their eyes on the hangman they'd have only have noticed
>> >when they were almost right up to it. Pierrepoint used to try
>> >and shake hands with the prisoner and then take their arms
>> >round the back in that way. Another nice touch was
>> >that the Clergyman started reading the funeral service and
>> >the High Sheriff read out the sentence - both already in the
>> >topping cell immediately the door to the condemned cell next
>> >door was opened, and the hangman walked in.
>>
>> Did it have the Derek Bentley case in this programme? I remember in
>> 'Let Him Have It' being very (rightly) shocked at the execution
>> because of how brutal/no-nonsense, organised and extremely fast it was
>> done.
>
>Hardly any reference was made to the identities of the prisoners at
>all. Except for Ruth Ellis right at the end who was readily identifiable.
>I think this was deliberate so as to reflect Pierrepoints own position. He
>didn't want to know who they were, or even the crime. If the Court sentenced
>them to death then without a reprieve they were going to hang come what may.
>Someone would have to do it and he was confident he could do an efficent job
>with the least delay to the prisoner.
>
>It's not brutal - if the guys gotta go then the quicker the better for
>all concerned. The governor, the Sherrif, doctors and priests may have
>to do many more of these and so the strain is on them as well.

Yeah I just meant there was no messing around, and was surprising to
see in a movie too. I mean if it was an American movie it would have
been 20 minutes of melodrama, tears and violins.

It was far more shocking (and felt far more accurate) the way it
happened in Let Him Have It.

>I'm not sure if he did Derek Bentley or not.

Yeah, they mentioned him (Pierrepoint) in the movie. It's a good film,
if you haven't seen it you should check it out.

On Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:21:58 GMT, "gavin"
 wrote:
>"Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message 
>news:g91h0n$8j7$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>> michael adams wrote:
>>> "gavin"  wrote in message
>>> news:hWSsk.563246$I42.380813@fe04.news.easynews.com...
>>>
>>>> Which means we pay for that? I can imagine a fair number of objectors!
>>>
>>> Just so long as when you're hanged for a crime you didn't commit
>>> I don't have to put up with your whinging "loved ones" going on and
>>> on about how you were innocent, for years on end.
>>>
>>> How does that sound ?
>>
>> Looking around Wiki at lunchtime I came across the Hanratty A6 murder 
>> case - for years they'd protested his innocence only for DNA taken from 
>> his exhumed body to be matched to stuff taken from the crime scene .
>>
>> No capital punishment isn't worth the hassle - whilst many would agree 
>> that Ian Huntley ought to swing they'd be up in arms about some other less 
>> emotive murderer.
>
>True - but I wonder if you would feel differently if someone close to you 
>had been murdered (heaven forbid!)? 

So if somebody murders somebody I know and I want the death penalty
for them, it should be done?

And what if I don't like my neighbours? Can I have them executed too?

If not, please explain why my personal feelings count for one but not
the other.

On Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:22:21 +0100, Sofa - Spud
 wrote:

>Froot Bat wrote:
>> On Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:39:35 +0100, "michael adams"
>>  wrote:
>>> "Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
>>> news:g8v9lj$4tm$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>>
>>>> Fantastic drama - Timothy Spall and Juilet Stevenson in fine form . No
>>>> frills just a hard hitting drama about Peirrepoint the executioner.
>>>>
>>>> Fantastic - the best TV for a long time!
>>> The only bit that was wrong was that the entrance to the actual
>>> drop from the condemned cell in most prisons was via a tall cupboard
>>> against a wall that slid aside on rails, rather
>>> than through a door.
>>> All work on the gallows, testing the rope etc was always done
>>> when the condemned prisoner was out of the condemned cell
>>> on exercise. That's where the element of surprise came in
>>> as the cupboard was slid back while the prisoner's back was
>>> turned. They couldn't usually see the rope from through the
>>> entrance either, it would have been to one side and if they
>>> kept their eyes on the hangman they'd have only have noticed
>>> when they were almost right up to it. Pierrepoint used to try
>>> and shake hands with the prisoner and then take their arms
>>> round the back in that way. Another nice touch was
>>> that the Clergyman started reading the funeral service and
>>> the High Sheriff read out the sentence - both already in the
>>> topping cell immediately the door to the condemned cell next
>>> door was opened, and the hangman walked in.
>> 
>> Did it have the Derek Bentley case in this programme? I remember in
>> 'Let Him Have It' being very (rightly) shocked at the execution
>> because of how brutal/no-nonsense, organised and extremely fast it was
>> done.
>> 
>
>No it didn't - I've not seen that film though , did it feature the 
>sliding cupboard do you remember?

I didn't think so but amazingly (or maybe not - Youtube, after all,
has everything) that scene is at YT. When I first saw it there I
thought it had been what Michael Adams described. When I watched again
it was folding sliding door. Not a cupboard, but though it's a very
realistic scene I don't think they were going for absolute accuracy.
Or maybe that's the kind of door where Bentley was held or at that
time.

But if you haven't seen the movie, I recommend you don't watch the
scene at Youtube, watch the movie. It was shown recently on ITV4 I
think (and should be easy to find online), but it's a good movie and
that scene is better watched in the context of the whole thing, or at
least the latter part, the trial and reaction to the verdict after the
shooting, rather than by itself.

Aparently the infamous words "let him have it" weren't even uttered by
Bentley. AFAIK both of them said so (that those words weren't used) at
the trial.

"Froot Bat"  wrote in message 
news:48b46547$0$13873$8a667849@news.ak47.org...
> On Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:21:58 GMT, "gavin"
>  wrote:
>>"Sofa - Spud"  wrote in message
>>news:g91h0n$8j7$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>> michael adams wrote:
>>>> "gavin"  wrote in message
>>>> news:hWSsk.563246$I42.380813@fe04.news.easynews.com...
>>>>
>>>>> Which means we pay for that? I can imagine a fair number of objectors!
>>>>
>>>> Just so long as when you're hanged for a crime you didn't commit
>>>> I don't have to put up with your whinging "loved ones" going on and
>>>> on about how you were innocent, for years on end.
>>>>
>>>> How does that sound ?
>>>
>>> Looking around Wiki at lunchtime I came across the Hanratty A6 murder
>>> case - for years they'd protested his innocence only for DNA taken from
>>> his exhumed body to be matched to stuff taken from the crime scene .
>>>
>>> No capital punishment isn't worth the hassle - whilst many would agree
>>> that Ian Huntley ought to swing they'd be up in arms about some other 
>>> less
>>> emotive murderer.
>>
>>True - but I wonder if you would feel differently if someone cl