The Execution of Mary Stuart (1895)

The Execution of Mary Stuart is a short, silent film produced in 1895. The film depicts the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Plot
The 18-second-long film was produced by Thomas Edison and may have been the first film in history to use trained actors, as well as one of the first to use editing for the purposes of special effects. The film shows an uncredited, blindfolded actress (playing Mary) being led to the execution block. The executioner raises his axe and an edit occurs during which the actress is replaced by a mannequin. The mannequin's head is chopped off and the executioner holds it in the air as the film ends.

Trivia

 * This film is currently in the public domain.
 * The execution was so real to audiences that some believed a woman actually gave her life for the beheading scene.
 * The film takes place on February 8, 1587.