Whity backdrop
Whity logo
1971·Western·1h 35m
7.1
"Whity" is the mulatto butler of the dysfunctional Nicholson family in the American Southwest in 1878. The father, Ben Nicholson, has an attractive young wife, Katherine, and two sons by a previous marriage: the homosexual Frank and the feeble-minded Davy. Whity tries to carry out all their orders, however demeaning, until various family members ask him to kill some of the others.
Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder
butler
dysfunctional family
male homosexuality
southwestern u.s.
whipping
19th century
gay theme

Cast

Günther Kaufmann
Günther Kaufmann
Whity
Ulli Lommel
Ulli Lommel
Frank Nicholson
Harry Baer
Harry Baer
Davy Nicholson
Hanna Schygulla
Hanna Schygulla
Hanna
Ron Randell
Ron Randell
Benjamin Nicholson
Katrin Schaake
Katrin Schaake
Katherine Nicholson
Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Saloon guest (uncredited)
Peter Berling
Peter Berling
Hefty Bartender (uncredited)
Kurt Raab
Kurt Raab
Pianist (uncredited)

Crew

Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Director
Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Screenplay
Peer Raben
Peer Raben
Original Music Composer
Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Editor
Michael Ballhaus
Michael Ballhaus
Director of Photography
Ulli Lommel
Ulli Lommel
Producer
Peter Berling
Peter Berling
Executive Producer
Peer Raben
Peer Raben
Producer
Kurt Raab
Kurt Raab
Production Design
Harry Baer
Harry Baer
Assistant Director

Popular Reviews

2 reviews
Gavin
Gavin
Whity
Whity is interesting. It tells of an illegitimate son born of a wealthy white rancher and his black cook, who serves as the household’s butler while trying to find his place in society. It’s also got kind of a comical story: everyone in the house hates each other and/or wants the money, so they all order Whity to kill different members of the family. It’s a short ride, and does what it needs to, but it’s nothing special. 6/10
Whity is interesting. It tells of an illegitimate son born of a wealthy white rancher and his black cook, who serves as the household’s butler while trying to find his place in society. It’s also got kind of a comical story: everyone in the house hates each other and/or wants the money, so they all order Whity to kill different members of the family. It’s a short ride, and does what it needs to, but it’s nothing special. 6/10
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Franek Łuczak
Franek Łuczak
Whity
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