MovieChat Forums > Let Him Have It Discussion > Just before the hanging . . . ?

Just before the hanging . . . ?

posted 17 years ago by greekwise
13 replies | jump to latest

Immediately before being taken to the gallows, Derek is given a shot (drink) of something. Does anyone know what that's all about?

[–] diabolosam 17 years ago

We are studying this film in English for media coursework and our teacher told us that it was a sedative to stop Bentley struggling too much. He had read Albert Pierrepoint's (the executioner) autobiography and apparently if they struggle or move around in the noose it causes loads of pain and sometimes doesn't kill.

[–] greekwise 17 years ago

That's just what I thought, but wasn't sure. Thanks for the reply.

[–] mark751 17 years ago

It was common practise to give the condemned a shot of whiskey to steady their nerves. It may also have been that.

[–] rotor13 17 years ago

It was a century-old British tradition to give the condemned "a tot of brandy" prior to execution. Since the hangman, Pierrepoint, prided himself on the speed with which he could carry on a hanging, he incorporated the brandy tradition into the last seconds before the hanging. (Pierrepoint's record was six seconds from the time he entered the condemned cell to the drop through the trap.)

[–] FIN4978262 17 years ago

i just finished watching this film and i was amazed at how fast (abrupt) the hanging was. thanks for the backstory on the executioner.

[–] pdarbythedude 17 years ago

can u *beep* write if its a spoiler. u just ruined the *beep* film for me u *beep* face.

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[–] pilkingtonISgod 16 years ago

??? You thought he survived? you have any idea idea what this films about? read any reviews, or the back cover to the dvd? never heard of this real life tragic unforgivable event?

[–] jtyroler 16 years ago

Except for Jack the Ripper, very few criminals from England are known in the United States. Somehow, I don't think the reverse is true.

[–] nick suess 14 years ago

Very little about anything beyond its borders is known in the United States. Sarah Palin reckoned she was a great expert on foreign affairs because she could just about see the Siberian coastline from her home!

[–] steven-87 11 years ago

It's very much an artistic flourish from the movie's director. No alcohol or sedative of any kind were given to the condemned prior to execution other than in extremely rare cases such as Ethel Thompson where it was more to get her up on her feet than calm her nerves (though she may have been pregnant when hung - but that's another story altogether).

Another point to raise from the execution scene in the film is that the priest's final prayer with the condemned would never have been interrupted by the executioner and his team.

The whole execution from start to finish would only take 15 seconds or so, from the time Pierrepoint entered to the time the lever was pulled. No need for sedative due to the speed of the process.