Tuesday, September 7, 2021

THE WHIP AND THE BODY 1964 (SINISTER CINEMA)

Christopher Lee stars in this very colorful gothic horror film directed by Mario Bava.

Lee is in top form as a sadistic man who returns home to his ancebtral castle much to the disliking of his entire family. Lee's character of Kurt Menliff is unforgettable.

Kurt has returned home to congratulate his brother on his marriage to his former lover Nevenka (Daliah Lavi). However Kurt still wants her and she refuses his advances until he whips her and her uncontrolled emotions come out for him.

Kurt is soon found dead, but he returns to life to claim Nevenka as his own.

The atmosphere of this film is typical Bava and the colors are rich and deep. Bave manages to bring out both horror, romance and erotic trappings together to make a gothic nightmare.

The print from Sinister is under the title listed above but I first saw this in a truncated version on the USA network many years ago under the title of "What" which is the title given the film in it's US release. I guess they figured the original title was too erotic.

The rest of the cast included Bava regulars Harriet Medin, Luciano Pigozzi, Tony Kendall and Evelyn Stewart. The beauty of Lavi is something to behold. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

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