Jonny_Numb Review of The Whip and the Body

The Whip and the Body (1963)

when somebody comes along, you must "Whip" it...

[7/10 · 3 July 2006]

As much as I love Italian horror, I have never been too keen on the films of Mario Bava, who is often considered the grandfather, guru, and all-superior being behind the genre/subculture. The specific Gothic stylings of "Black Sunday" (well-loved, but not by me) and the latter-day bloodletting of "Bay of Blood" (gory yet boring) were not my cup of tea; however, I have a lot of appreciation for "Kill Baby Kill" and "Shock," two wonderfully surreal rides into madness. "The Whip and the Body" is an excellent entry from Bava (I'd go so far as to say it's his best work, based on the few films I've seen by him), who merges his signature style (specific color schemes, spooky set decoration, a period setting) with a surprisingly rich story line. Anyone who thinks Euro-horror can't branch out from its primal urges (that being extreme bloodletting and excess talk), owe it to themselves to see this film. Never--not even in the early works of Argento--have I seen such a gripping story (a married woman murders her ex-lover only to be haunted by his ghost) told with such unflagging skill. The plot explores obsession, true love, S&M, and the supernatural with great passion; it is a bonus that "Whip" is also fittingly spooky and a treat for the eyes. A young, handsome Christopher Lee gives a wonderful performance as the deceased lover; ditto Daliah Lavi as the object of his obsession--when together, these two exhibit a chemistry that is absent from much of cinema (not just the Italian school).