The Execution of Mary Stuart (1895 film)

The Execution of Mary Stuart is a short film produced in 1895. The film depicts the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots. The film was produced by Thomas Edison and may have been the first film in history to used 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.