If Africa is the cradle of civilization, Great Britain is the crucible of human bondage. If ever a country found a way to channel its sexual/societal repressions, the Victorians were the masters. The ingredients were already present: chambermaids in frilly costumes; knickers; walking sticks. All somebody needed to do was find a way to combine them.

Fax & Figures is a modern-day Victorian B&D dream, where a middle-aged banker in a three-piece suit takes care of business with his two fleshy and well-endowed employees. The escalating scale of punishment begins with spanking and peaks with caning, as might be expected. The difference is that everything in F&F is done right. Precious little time is spent on useless ad-libbed dialogue, while the videography captures each stinging blow and every delicious reaction.