Henrettelsen (1903) Directed by Peter Elfelt

A.K.A. Capital Execution, Barnemordersken, Child Murderess

     Henrettelsen is based on a true story of the execution of a French woman who is sentenced to death for killing her two children. Though part of the film has been lost, little of what is left is still a very important part of early cinema. The early stages of plot progression and reference to things happening off screen make this antique film a stepping-stone in movies to come. The director, Peter Elfelt was the pioneer of Danish cinema making over 200 films in the early 20^th Century. He was the only filmmaker in the first decade of Danish film actually making movies. Henrettelsen was the first Danish drama, and a major influence in those early days, widening the scope and development of the story beyond what was captured by the camera. This effect intensified the drama. Very original and important to the history of film.

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