MovieChat Forums > The Last Hangman (2006) Discussion > A technical question

A technical question

posted 18 years ago by henrytree
6 replies | jump to latest

I enjoyed this movie so much I watched it twice! I have now even gone searching for facts about Albert Pierrepoint who seemed to be a man of great dignity in the way he conducted himself and have ordered up some books to read more about him. Now, my tech question, which it may take a long retired prison officer to answer: What was the purpose of the two ropes hanging down at either side of the noose during executions? Both ropes seemed to be tied in a knot looking like a 'Turks Head' and both were held onto by prison officers during executions. What were these ropes for, where did they lead to, and why were the Prison Officers hanging on to them? Nothing seemed to happen with these ropes as the 'drop' took place and I am intrigued as to their purpose. Thanks for any helpful information.
Henry

[–] JamesInglis 18 years ago

They were there for the prison officers to hold on to, as they stood on a plank across the trap doors steadying the condemned man. There had been a case where an officer had fallen into the pit.

[–] henrytree 18 years ago

Hi,
Thanks for that answer, though in my opinion from what I saw in the movie, it seemed like the Assistant Executioner was in greater danger than the Prison Officers, and this was apparently commented on when some Prison Governors were not too happy with the very fast speed of executions carried out by some of Albert's predecessors.

I asked because every time there seemed to be a shot of an upcoming execution, the two ropes were always there dangling down and I wondered if they had something to do with the physics/counterbalance of the noose, because I would have thought, even in those days without "health & safety experts" there would have been a better system of stopping P.O.s falling in to the pit along with the condemned prisoner if that is what they were supposed to be for?

[–] tgrrrsss 16 years ago

I noticed this too, that they were right by the edges - on planks above the pit.

Why did they have to be that close, why not be stood back on firmer ground at time of the trap door opening?

[–] dirt-box 16 years ago

They were there to support the prisoner if they struggled or fainted, if they stood further back they would not be able to do that. The drop was so wide because it was also used for double executions, in these the prison officers stood either side of the drop

WTF did you expect to find here?

[–] Captain_Cobweb 16 years ago

Absolutely correct,If the condemned was unable to stand unaided a prison officer on each side supported him with one arm and held the ropes with their other arm.

[–] puirt-a-beul 12 years ago

In addition to what's been said on this thread, after the execution those ropes were also used by the hangman's assistant to take the weight of the hanged person while the noose was removed and the body was lowered and placed on the guerney.

This was shown with the first execution in the movie.

You might very well think that. I couldn't possibly comment.