The Whip (1939 film)

The Whip is a 1939 British black-and-white drama film directed by Brian Desmond Hurst and starring Basil Rathbone, Margaret Lockwood, and Hugh Sinclair. It is based on the popular Victorian melodrama of the same name by Cecil Raleigh and Henry Hamilton.

The film tells the story of a complex rivalry and romance set against the backdrop of horse racing and gambling. The villainous Greville Sartoris (Basil Rathbone) schemes to acquire valuable racehorses and ruin his rivals, particularly the honorable Harry Anson (Hugh Sinclair). The film centers around the ownership and racing of a prized mare, "The Whip," and the lengths to which Sartoris will go to win, including sabotage and blackmail.

Margaret Lockwood plays the spirited and independent Diana Beverley, who becomes entangled in the conflict. She is pursued by both Sartoris and Anson, and her choices significantly impact the unfolding drama.

The film is known for its dramatic storyline, its portrayal of upper-class society, and Basil Rathbone's performance as the ruthless antagonist. It also features notable scenes involving horse racing and daring rescues. While not as widely remembered as some of Rathbone's other roles (such as Sherlock Holmes), The Whip remains a significant example of British film-making from the late 1930s and a testament to the enduring appeal of the stage play on which it is based.