Timothy Spall stars in a biopic of Britain's best-known 20th century executioner Like Vera Drake, Pierrepoint takes place in a mid-20th century Britain where colour was not permitted: everything is drab, brown and municipal green. But whereas the character Vera Drake was providing humane, efficient abortions in a time when it was illegal, Albert Pierrepoint - a real historical figure - is providing a very different sort of termination; executing prisoners. Pierrepoint is a fascinating portrait of a man trying to maintain a decent, ordinary life while presiding over legally sanctioned death. We first meet Albert (Spall) being talked through the execution procedure at London's Pentonville Prison in 1932. Shortly afterwards, Pierrepoint, a grocery delivery man, receives a letter at his home in Oldham, Lancashire. He's been accepted onto "the list" to become an executioner, following in the footsteps of both his father and uncle. "It's just in me. I knew it'd come out one day," he tells his mother. While continuing his day job in groceries and marrying local shopgirl Annie (Stevenson), Albert goes about his new work with professionalism, eager to prove himself, to better both his father and his peers. He soon breaks records and rises to become Britain's number one executioner. "I do try to take a pride in my work. I don't believe there's a quicker man on the list," he says. He gets a further ego boost after the Second World War when he's selected by the Army to handle the <b>...</b>
FLM
