Hangman's Graveyard
| Hangman's Graveyard | |
|---|---|
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| Written by | Mick Grogan Craig Thompson |
| Directed by | Mick Grogan |
| Narrated by | Brian O'Dea |
| Theme music composer | Michael Vuscan |
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Craig Thompson (Executive Producer) Daniel Thomson |
| Cinematography | Michael Savoie Decebal Dascau Sabre Wallker |
| Running time | 47 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | History Television (Canada) |
| Original release |
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Hangman's Graveyard is a Canadian documentary film which was originally broadcast in Canada on History Television on December 6, 2009. A work-in-progress screening of the film was presented at the Ontario Archaeological Society’s 36th annual symposium and as the opening film of DocFest Stratford in October 2009. The film follows an archaeological investigation at Toronto's old Don Jail beginning in September 2007. The archaeologists uncovered a cemetery behind the jail and began a process of identifying the remains. In total, 15 bodies were found, and all are thought to be remains of executed inmates. The archaeological team is led by Dr. Ronald Williamson of Archaeological Services Inc. Produced by Canada's Ballinran Productions, the company behind the Gemini and IFTA nominated documentary Death or Canada, the film follows the lives of three men found in the forgotten cemetery - George Bennett, Jan Ziolko and Frederick Davis - and examines the history of the Don Jail, capital punishment in Canada and the nation's most feared hangman, Arthur Ellis.
Filming began in September 2007 as the filmmakers extensively followed the entire archaeological investigation, which ended with the reburial of the inmates in St. James Cemetery in Toronto. The remaining elements were filmed in the summer of 2009 and many of the dramatic scenes were filmed inside the Old Don Jail itself. The documentary is narrated by author and former drug smuggler Brian O'Dea.
George Bennett is the most notable inmate uncovered in the cemetery. Bennett was executed for the murder of George Brown, editor of The Globe newspaper and Father of Confederation. George Bennett was an employee of George Brown and worked in The Globe's engineering department. Initially Bennett was a model employee but eventually he descended into a downward spiral of drunkenness and debauchery. Bennett was ultimately fired for intemperance. In a drunken fit Bennett entered George Brown's office and demanded him to sign a letter of reference. Brown refused, Bennett insisted and a tussle ensued. Bennett was carrying a revolver in his pocket and the revolver was fired with a bullet entering George Brown's leg. Brown died several weeks later of implications from the wound. It was learnt later that Bennett was carrying a suicide note and had intended to shoot himself the very day of the murder. Bennett was convicted on June 22, 1880 and sentenced to hang on July 23, 1880. Before his execution Bennett gave a lengthy speech proclaiming his innocence to the very end.
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