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Execution of Dorothea Waddingham - factual inaccuracy


The film portrays Albert Pierrepoint as the chief executioner of Dorothea Waddingham in 1936. In fact, he only assisted at that execution and it was actually his uncle, Tom Pierrepoint, who hanged Waddingham. Albert's first assignment as chief executioner was not until 1941. As the film is reasonably accurate with regard to most factual elements, this seems a strange lapse. Generally, an excellent film though, and Timothy Spall's performance is spellbinding.

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Quite correct. However, Dorothea was executed at Birmingham's Winson Green prison, not Holloway as portrayed in the newspaper in the film.

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