Let's start with the fact that Reichhart didn't invent the Fallbeil in any of it's forms, the first German steel Fallbeil was designed by Johann Mannhardt in 1853, and was used exclusively by the German government until 1936. In 1936 another design was introduced in order to simplify manufacture and to have a machine that was short enough to fit into rooms in the prisons. The twenty (20) machines manufactured under orders from the Justice Department were built at the Tegel Prison workshops. These machines were never equipped with sliding tables.
One of the most irritating parts of this show is when they depict the 'executioner' or whoever he is looking at his watch and holding up a finger like he's starting a bicycle race.....in the three (3) seconds it would take to be executed by Reichhart, there wouldn't even be time to look at the watch. The convicted was laid on the table and slid forward, the lunette and the blade were released almost simultaneously. Nobody had time to lie there and contemplate the act that got them there.....
Of course most of the photos of Guillotines in this show are also French machines. I guess I had hope that since this show was about the German executioner it would actually show German machines.
Also Reichhart didn't "throw his Fallbeil into the river out of shame". I believe that the Fallbeil that went in the river was the machine at Pankrác prison in Prague.
I know this is all played for effect but it would be nice if people knew that after watching this episode that it didn't really provide much insight into Reichhart's persona.
One of the most irritating parts of this show is when they depict the 'executioner' or whoever he is looking at his watch and holding up a finger like he's starting a bicycle race.....in the three (3) seconds it would take to be executed by Reichhart, there wouldn't even be time to look at the watch. The convicted was laid on the table and slid forward, the lunette and the blade were released almost simultaneously. Nobody had time to lie there and contemplate the act that got them there.....
Of course most of the photos of Guillotines in this show are also French machines. I guess I had hope that since this show was about the German executioner it would actually show German machines.
Also Reichhart didn't "throw his Fallbeil into the river out of shame". I believe that the Fallbeil that went in the river was the machine at Pankrác prison in Prague.
I know this is all played for effect but it would be nice if people knew that after watching this episode that it didn't really provide much insight into Reichhart's persona.