1st Film Edit

The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots (1895) - Alfred Clark

The 1st edit within a film, and also used for the purpose of a stop-motion effect. The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots shows a blindfolded 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.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0132134/