WHAT (1963)
(a.k.a. THE WHIP AND THE BODY)
Article #671 by Dave Sindelar
Viewing Date: 1-15-2003
Posting Date: 6-14-2003

The sadistic son of a nobleman returns home and is murdered. A woman then finds herself haunted by his ghost.

Yes, this movie did actually go out under the truly awful title of WHAT, a move that most likely resulted in failing to capture the public’s attention, but ultimately may have confused it with a similarly titled movie by Roman Polanski movie released the same decade. The other title, THE WHIP AND THE BODY, is not only better, but more descriptive. In fact, this is a pretty amazing movie. One of the common qualities of Italian horror that has the potential to drive me away is their emphasis on sadism; some of them dwell so much on the torture of women they become nearly unwatchable. This is one of the exceptions, and this is partly because the sadism is so strongly a part of the characters and the story that it feels essential rather than exploitative; it defines the characters and the way they behave, and it adds a surprising amount of substance and depth to the story. This, plus Mario Bava’s usual visual touches, make the movie a unique, fascinating horror movie, and it even contains a certain amount of Lewtonesque ambiguity. Some people think it may be Bava’s finest movie; I haven’t seen all of his work to be sure, yet, but I would go so far to say that this one is definitely in the running. It features Christopher Lee and Daliah Levi (in great performances).