The Guillotine
“A Complete History of the Notorious Death Machine.”
The Guillotine examines the fascinating and bizarre history of the "national razor" that started out strictly for execution and then became a source of entertainment and amusement. In Scotland they called it "the Maiden," in England "the Halifax Gibbet," and in France "the Machine," "the Widow," and "the Guillotine." It existed for hundreds of years, but found its home in France during the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror when nearly 20,000 men, women and children died beneath its blade. Through dramatic reenactments and archival documentation of famous executions, the program explores the early technology of the guillotine and its bloodstained career throughout Europe.
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Cast
20 people
Stacy Keach
Narrator (Voice)
Known for
Prison Break
The Bourne Legacy
Whitney Alves
Re-creations
Stephen Cornwell
Re-creations
Tommy Elledge II
Re-creations
Nickolena Gibbons-Elledge
Re-creations
Kenneth Sollazzo
Re-creations
Tim Redmond
Re-creations
Also in
American Crime Story
Bride Of Killer Nerd
Jeffrey Scott
Re-creations
Tanya R. Tollefson
Re-creations
Eli Borggraefe
Re-creations
Peggy Doherty
Re-creations
Marsha Gelt
Re-creations
Michael Hoff Director · John Lawrence Composer Bill Hendrickson Composer
United States release April 15, 1997 · Produced in United States · Production Non Fiction Films
Production
Discovery Channel
Production
Non Fiction Films
Production
United States
Produced in
Languages
Original language
English
Release dates
United States · January 1, 1996
TV · Television Premiere
United States · April 15, 1997
Physical · VHS Release