| Director | Bryan Forbes |
|---|---|
| Genre | drama film, film based on a novel |
| Runtime | 107 min |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Budget | $400,000 |
Mrs Margaret Ross, an impoverished, eccentric 76-year-old woman, is living in a ground floor flat in an unnamed town in northern England. She is dependent on National Assistance from the British government. She hears voices, the whisperers of the title, of whom she asks "Are you there?".
She is visited by her criminal son, who hides a package containing a large sum of money in her spare room. The son confesses to the police of his robbery, and is sent to jail. Meanwhile, Mrs Ross finds the money. Thinking the money is a windfall intended for her, she makes elaborate plans. She casually confides to a stranger, who befriends her in order to ply her with spirits, kidnap her, then rob her of the stolen money. Rendered drunk and abandoned to the elements by her captors, Mrs Ross contracts pneumonia.
She is found by neighbours, then after almost dying, recovers in a hospital. It is the first time anyone has cared for her in years. Doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, and social workers all focus on her case. An agent at the National Assistance bureau traces down her husband, Archie (who deserted her decades ago). Motivated by the agent, who threatens him with legal pressure, informing him of his legal responsibility to her, the husband is strongly encouraged to move back in with her, which he does. Soon, Archie becomes involved with gamblers, then steals their money at a chance opportunity, which forces him to flee, so he deserts her again.
Having been on the verge of a return to functional living, Mrs Ross resumes her life living by herself. Her voices had gone away, but when she returns she asks the whisperers again if they are there.
The movie depicts these events as occurring in 1966, the year that British National Assistance was replaced by Supplementary Benefit.