Review of House of Whipcord (1974) by Megan P — 01 Jun 2008

I concur entirely with Miss Gory. The lack of recognition for Mr Walker's work is nothing short of shameful as well as deeply sad.

Produced in that particular period when the British film industry was entering its definitive death rattle, House of Whipcord sees Pete Walker employing the outlook and techniques of the most subversive US exploitation auteur and the result is both astutely relevant to its time and amazingly fresh even today.

Encompassing themes of puritan morality and draconian punishment, this film wryly reflects the rise of reactionary political power which was beginning to seize Britain before its eventual apex in the guise of Thatcherism. The fact that several of Walker's films were later blacklisted in the infamous video nasty bill a few years later was a delicous irony which I'm sure was hugely appreciated by the man himself.

With a stark and bleak tone, some stunning photography, and a gallery of engaging performances (not least the inimitable Sheila Keith's glowering guard), House of Whipcord stands as both a genre milestone and a remarkably adept piece of filmmaking by any concievable standard.