The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots

The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots

1895 · 1 min · ★ 6.3 · History, Drama

A short film depicting the execution of Mary, Queen of the Scots. Mary is brought to the execution block and made to kneel down with her neck over it. The executioner lifts his axe ready to bring it down. After that frame Mary has been replaced by a dummy. The axe comes down and severs the head of the dummy from the body. The executioner picks up the head and shows it around for everyone else to see. One of the first camera tricks to be used in a movie.

Directed by William Heise

Your Rating

Cast

Make it a double feature

2m together

The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots

Dickson Experimental Sound Film

Both from William Heise.

More from William HeiseSee all →

Admiral CigaretteAdmiral Cigarette · 1897
Admiral Cigarette
★ 6.31897
MovieDocumentary
Late 1800s cigarette advertisement produced by Thomas Edison Manufacturing.
Dickson Experimental Sound FilmDickson Experimental Sound Film · 1894
Dickson Experimental Sound Film
★ 6.11894
MovieMusic
William K.L. Dickson plays the violin while two men dance. This is the oldest surviving sound film where sound is recorded on the phonograph.
Annie OakleyAnnie Oakley · 1894
Annie Oakley
★ 6.01894
MovieDocumentaryWestern
A short Edison Black Maria studio film featuring famed sharpshooter Annie Oakley, known as “Little Sure Shot.” Born Phoebe Ann Oakley Mozee in Ohio in 1860, she rose to global fame performing with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. Accompanied (likely) by her husband and fellow marksman Frank Butler, Oakley’s diminutive stature belied her legendary marksmanship.
Danse serpentine (Annabelle)Danse serpentine (Annabelle) · 1895
Danse serpentine (Annabelle)
★ 5.91895
MovieDocumentary
In a long, diaphanous skirt, held out by her hands with arms extended, Broadway dancer Annabelle Moore performs. Her dance emphasizes the movement of the flowing cloth. She moves to her right and left across an unadorned stage. Many of the prints were distributed in hand-tinted color.
The Boxing Cats (Prof. Welton's)The Boxing Cats (Prof. Welton's) · 1894
The Boxing Cats (Prof. Welton's)
★ 5.91894
MovieDocumentaryComedy
"A glove contest between trained cats. A very comical and amusing subject, and is sure to create a great laugh." (by Edison Films)
Blacksmith SceneBlacksmith Scene · 1893
Blacksmith Scene
★ 5.61893
MovieDrama
Three men hammer on an anvil and pass a bottle of beer around. Notable for being the first film in which a scene is being acted out.
Annabelle Butterfly DanceAnnabelle Butterfly Dance · 1894
Annabelle Butterfly Dance
★ 5.51894
MovieDocumentary
Annabelle (Whitford) Moore performs one of her popular dances. For this performance, her costume has a pair of wings attached to her back, to suggest a butterfly. As she dances, she uses her long, flowing skirts to create visual patterns.
CarmencitaCarmencita · 1894
Carmencita
★ 5.21894
MovieDocumentary
The first woman to appear in front of an Edison motion picture camera and possibly the first woman to appear in a motion picture within the United States. In the film, Carmencita is recorded going through a routine she had been performing at Koster & Bial's in New York since February 1890.
The KissThe Kiss · 1896
The Kiss
★ 5.21896
MovieDramaRomance
They get ready to kiss, begin to kiss, and kiss in a way that brings down the house every time.
Glenroy Bros., No. 2Glenroy Bros., No. 2 · 1894
Glenroy Bros., No. 2
★ 5.01894
MovieComedy
The Glenroy Brothers perform a portion of their vaudeville act, "The Comic View of Boxing: The Tramp & the Athlete".
Buffalo Fire Department in ActionBuffalo Fire Department in Action · 1897
Buffalo Fire Department in Action
★ 5.01897
MovieDocumentary
Ten horse-drawn pieces of equipment of the Buffalo Fire Department pass by a stationary camera that looks down a broad avenue as they come toward it...
Glenroy Brothers (Comic Boxing)Glenroy Brothers (Comic Boxing) · 1894
Glenroy Brothers (Comic Boxing)
★ 4.91894
MovieDocumentaryComedy
The Glenroy Brothers perform a portion of their vaudeville act, "The Comic View of Boxing: The Tramp & the Athlete", which depicts a boxer with a classic style trying to contend with an opponent who uses a very unorthodox approach.
Corbett and Courtney Before the KinetographCorbett and Courtney Before the Kinetograph · 1894
Corbett and Courtney Before the Kinetograph
★ 4.81894
MovieDocumentary
This fight consists of six rounds, each round on a film 150 feet long. It's an actual contest between James J. Corbett, former champion of the world, and Peter Courtney. The films are listed as "1st Round", "2nd Round", "3rd Round", "4th Round", "5th Round", and "6th Round".
Edison Kinetoscopic Record of a SneezeEdison Kinetoscopic Record of a Sneeze · 1894
Edison Kinetoscopic Record of a Sneeze
★ 4.81894
MovieDocumentary
A man (Thomas Edison's assistant) takes a pinch of snuff and sneezes. This is one of the earliest Thomas Edison films and was the second motion picture to be copyrighted in the United States.
The Hornbacker-Murphy FightThe Hornbacker-Murphy Fight · 1894
The Hornbacker-Murphy Fight
★ 4.71894
MovieActionComedy
A referee and five fans (including a waiter in his apron) look on as two young men box. The dark-haired, slightly taller boxer throws a right and the light-haired smaller one goes down; but he's up before the referee starts counting. After the knockdown, the boxers mostly hit each other's gloves. The fans, at least one of whom is sitting inside the ring, show no animation. They're all men, dressed in a range of late 19th-century garb.
Lone FishermanLone Fisherman · 1896
Lone Fisherman
★ 4.61896
MovieComedy
A fellow in a wide-brimmed hat, with a willowy stick for a rod and a baited hook, sits down on a plank hanging over a bridge above a stream. He sticks the rod under his seat and picks up his bottle to take a swig. Behind him creeps a joker who removes the large flagstone that's holding the fisherman's plank in place.

More Like This

Nanook of the NorthNanook of the North · 1922
Nanook of the North
★ 7.11922
MovieDocumentaryDrama
This pioneering documentary film depicts the lives of the indigenous Inuit people of Canada's northern Quebec region. Although the production contains some fictional elements, it vividly shows how its resourceful subjects survive in such a harsh climate, revealing how they construct their igloo homes and find food by hunting and fishing. The film also captures the beautiful, if unforgiving, frozen landscape of the Great White North, far removed from conventional civilization.
PickpocketPickpocket · 1959
Pickpocket
★ 7.31959
MovieCrimeDrama
Michel takes up pickpocketing on a lark and is arrested soon after. His mother dies shortly after his release, and despite the objections of his only friend, Jacques, and his mother's neighbor Jeanne, Michel teams up with a couple of petty thieves in order to improve his craft. With a police inspector keeping an eye on him, Michel also tries to get a straight job, but the temptation to steal is hard to resist.
ManhattanManhattan · 1979
Manhattan
★ 7.71979
MovieComedyDrama
Manhattan explores how the life of a middle-aged television writer dating a teenage girl is further complicated when he falls in love with his best friend's mistress.
Touch of EvilTouch of Evil · 1958
Touch of Evil
★ 7.71958
MovieCrimeThriller
A border-town bombing draws Mexican investigator Miguel Vargas into a corruption-ridden police investigation led by crooked captain Hank Quinlan, setting off a deadly struggle over power, justice, and truth.
CarneCarne · 1991
Carne
★ 6.81991
MovieDramaThriller
After a dreadful incident coupled with an ungovernable paroxysm of violence, a butcher will fall into a downward spiral that will burn to the ground whatever dignity still remained in him.
It's a Wonderful LifeIt's a Wonderful Life · 1946
It's a Wonderful Life
★ 8.31946
MovieDramaFamily
George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George's modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve the business's $8,000 is lost and George's troubles begin.
HitmanHitman · 2007
Hitman
★ 6.22007
MovieActionThriller
A genetically engineered assassin with deadly aim, known only as "Agent 47" eliminates strategic targets for a top-secret organization. But when he's double-crossed, the hunter becomes the prey as 47 finds himself in a life-or-death game of international intrigue.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter