| Krimi #3:The Mad Executioners |
| In an underground chamber a man is brought before a secret tribunal.Black robed black hooded figures sit behind coffins.The man is a criminal sentenced to death by this court of the Executioners Of London.The man is placed screaming into a coffin and then into a horse drawn hearse.He is taken off into the foggy night.On a bridge over the Thames he is hung by the neck. Inspector Hillier brings the body to the morgue and discusses the case with his friend, police surgeon Phil Trooper.This is the third such hanging by the Executioners.The verdict and evidence against the current victim was left around his neck. While clues are scarce there is one constant:The rope used in the hangings has been the same one each time.The rope has been stolen right out of Scotland Yard's Black Museum. Pennypacker, a reporter, begs Hillier to let him work on the case.The reporter seems to be a master of disguises.Hillier refuses. Hillier and Trooper go to Hillier's girlfriend's (Ann) house.Her father is Sir Francis, a retired judge who had sent over 35 criminals to the hangman.Sir Francis has studied the evidence on the latest victim and agrees with the verdict. Over drinks they discuss the fact that Hiller's sister was murdered a few months earlier.She was the victim of a vicious sex crime and beheaded.The killer is still at large.Hillier admits that he wishes the Executioners would capture the sex killer. When a package is delivered to the judge a man yells for them to throw it out of the house.Hillier does so and it explodes.The savior is revealed to be Pennypacker.In one of his disguises he learned that Pickax Joe was released from prison.Joe swore he would kill Sir Francis on the day he was released.While all are grateful Hillier again turns down Pennypacker. Once again the hangman's rope is stolen from Scotland Yard.Hillier and Trooper are alerted to this.Hillier can only vent his anger as it means another execution is to take place. Transported to an underground lair via coffin, another criminal stands before the Mad Executioners.From behind their coffins the figures supply damning evidence of murder.The man is sentenced to die and in a nice touch is hung from a life insurance advertisement on a billboard. Sir Francis and his butler read the morning news.Scotland Yard is taken to task for this new murder.The judge seems pleased with the exploits. Hillier gets a dressing down from Commissioner Smith.Smith wants results immediately.Hillier states that he would rather be working on the sex killer case.He was pulled off of it to work on the executions.Since the investigation is going nowhere he asks to be removed.Smith refuses.Smith also locks the hangman's rope in his personal safe. Pennypacker calls Hillier.In one of his disguises he has learned that there will be a meeting of the secret court.It is to take place at midnight on the docks.Hillier surrounds the area with police.The meeting does take place and the police burst in and a gun battle ensues.Pickax Joe is killed and revealed to be a leader of the court. While this is happening a young woman is found sexually assaulted and beheaded.She was left on a quiet residential street in a rose bed. While the papers and some members of Scotland Yard are satisifed, Hillier is not.He reminds Trooper and Sir Francis that the Executioners were working for weeks while Pickax Joe was incarcerated.Sir Francis states that Smith or Trooper could be involved.Hillier says that Sir Francis could himself be involved.Anyway Hillier is off the case and back on the trail of the sex killer.It isn't his concern any longer. Another headless body is found.Shortly after that the hangman's rope is stolen from Scotland Yard and another criminal is found murdered.Ann volunteers to be a decoy for the sex killer.She is abducted and Scotland Yard races against time to find her. Are the Mad Executioners members of Scotland Yard?If not then who are they?How does the sex killer tie in?Will Ann meet a gruesome fate? This is a fun movie.There is a great use of fog whenever the Executioners are at work.The night scenes are pretty spooky.The horse drawn hearse driven by the figures in black is stunning.The coffins used as "court benches" are a nice touch. The sex killer winds up with a weird science fiction angle but that isn't unusual for these krimis.It does seem like it was grafted on from another movie but it does tie in.The music score is very well done and enjoyable.But it is almost too martial when this could use something more low key and ominous. |
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