Watch House of Whipcord

In the 1974 British psychological horror film House of Whipcord, determined young model Ann-Marie Di Verney (played by Penny Irving) falls prey to a sadistic, aristocratic couple with a twisted sense of justice. It is directed by Pete Walker, and stars Barbara Markham as the strict, uncompromising Mrs Faith, Patrick Barr as her husband Justice Bailey, and Ray Brooks as Mark E. Desade.

The movie starts with Ann-Marie modelling for a shoot, sashaying down a hallway before posing in front of a photographer’s camera. She leaves the studio, unaware of the sinister fate awaiting her. Mrs. Faith’s daughter, Monica is an institution-fleeing lunatic who has now returned home to live at the House of Whipcord - a former prison which conversions into a deadly house to punish the people, specifically young female prisoners.

When Ann-Marie accepts a ride home from a stranger, she is driven straight to the House of Whipcord. It turns out that the Bailey's, who are the landlords, run the old prison as a private institution for wayward or promiscuous young women. The young women there are subjected to punishment for various designated reasons, usually interpreted as promiscuity or other perceived moral lapses.

The punishments themselves are brutal and primitive, consisting of everything from caning and flogging to chaining and filthy living conditions. The film chronicles the horror that Ann-Marie experiences as she tries to escape the Bailey's clutches and the various young girls trapped in the House of Whipcord.

Meanwhile, investigative journalist Mark E. Desade is on the case and snooping around the house, hoping to uncover evidence of the Bailey's evil deeds. As the two storylines progress, Ann-Marie must leverage everything she has just to survive, while Mark tries to uncover the truth about what goes on inside those walls.

The film offers a view into the dark underbelly of the British penal system during the 1970s. The film takes advantage of the atmospheric qualities of the House of Whipcord setting to create a genuinely unnerving and foreboding atmosphere. The cinematography is dark, moody, and the sets are designed to be oppressive and claustrophobic.

While the film is undoubtedly a horror movie, it is much more than that. It is also a social commentary on the treatment of women in Britain during the 1970s, and in some ways, still relevant today. Some of the vices that can get women and girls sent to Whipcord are sexist and victim blaming - for example, promiscuity or promiscuous dress, with the underlying implication that these are deserving of punishment.

The acting is great, with Barbara Markham giving a particularly standout performance as Mrs Faith. She is a character with a deep-seated sense of righteousness and justice and believes what she is doing is right. She is so smug in her belief that she cannot see the terror she inflicts on those under her care.

Overall, House of Whipcord is an excellent addition to the British horror tradition. It is a movie that has a lot to offer in terms of its social commentary, its acting, and its macabre, unsettling atmosphere. It is a must-see for horror fans and those interested in the portrayal of societal mores on film.

House of Whipcord is a 1974 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.