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Lance Henriksen, Rona De Ricci, Jonathan Fuller, Jeffrey Combs, Tom Towles ... see more see more... , Stephen Lee , Frances Bay , Oliver Reed , Larry Dolgin , Mark Margolis , Carolyn Purdy-Gordon , William J. Norris , Benito Stefanelli

Only loosely based on Edgar Allen Poe's classic short story, this horror film was filmed on location in a spooky Italian castle and tells the convoluted story of a mad priest who devises exquisitely p... read more read more...ainful ways of getting his victims to confess to dabbling in witchcraft. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Flixster Users

44% liked it

2,087 ratings

Critics

50% liked it

8 critics

R, 1 hr. 37 min.

Directed by: Stuart Gordon

Release Date: August 5, 1961

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DVD Release Date: March 14, 2000

Stats: 121 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (121)

  • phubbs1
    December 22, 2011
    phubbs1
    Charles Band takes on the classic 'Poe' tale here with help from a surprisingly good cast including Lance Henriksen, Jeffrey Combs and a small cameo from Oliver Reed!

    This film is combination of three classic 'Poe' tales which aren't that bad but as you would expect pretty cheap... read more n cheerful looking at times. There is an odd element of humour at times boarding on spoof yet despite this Henriksen does his best as the lunatic inquisitor 'Torquemada' and gives a brilliantly over the top ham fest with a bizarre monk hair cut and his cutting round eyes.

    Rest of the cast are pretty useless and the effects and sets go from reasonable to down right awful haha. Plenty of fake blood and cheesy dialog but I saw this mainly for Henriksen really, his presence elevates the film to a guilty pleasure.
  • drblood
    June 24, 2007
    drblood
    Hardly the Vincent Price film, this "remake" is by the "Re-animator" team and, as such, is fabulously gory and full of black humour.
  • threefolddado
    July 7, 2008
    threefolddado
    Puts its low budget to work.
  • TransmissionsFromNostromo
    February 27, 2011
    TransmissionsFromNostromo
    Really, Mr. Gordon?

    This film never really decides if it wants to be a serious condemnation of the atrocities committed in God's name or if it wants to be over-the-top camp a la "Re-Animator." The plot is simple: a beautiful woman is arrested on charges of being a witch, but it ... read moreturns out Torquemada just has the hots for her. Her intrepid husband tries to break her out of jail but ends up getting arrested himself. They are both tortured until Maria uses her newly-found gift to exact revenge. No, it doesn't make sense.

    The inclusion of bits of "The Cask of Amontillado" and "Fall of the House of Usher" was nice, but it ultimately didn't work for me. Lance Henriksen was fine as the Grand Inquisitor but he is absolutely wasted, as is Jeffrey Combs in a stupid wig.
  • magisterbrodd
    April 21, 2010
    magisterbrodd
    Meh. Odd movie, apparently a cult favorite, with some basis in a number of Poe stories. Lance Henriksen as Torquemada - cool . . . See on Netflix streaming (PS3)
  • donibscott
    September 16, 2009
    donibscott
    Vincent Price made this film what it is. A fun old style movie with a deep dark secret. Not great, but not that bad either. The movie I saw was not the one represented here. SO be careful what you think you are seeing. The names and pictures and such associated with this does no... read moret apply!
  • wihyena
    September 23, 2008
    wihyena
    One of my favorite "bad B-Movie" flicks! I believe it's a Full Moon Videos movie...they specialize in cheesy b-class horror flicks.
  • lyreaterresle
    August 10, 2008
    lyreaterresle
    I love this movie. Its one of those movies that you enjoy more and more each time you see it. Lance Henriksen's performance as Torquemada gives me chills; Repression, Power, and so much more all wrapped up in one character and the performance by an actor who is truly a credit in ... read moreany film he does. I dislike the fact that people often refer to this as a remake. First let me say that Vincent Price is in a class by himself and the version of Pit and the Pendulum that he was in was amazing. However other then the title and one scene toward the end of the movie where some unlucky fellow tries to get free of the Pendulum before it slices him in two, is where the similarities end. It is set back in Spain during 1492, the (real) inquisition. Lance Henriksen, stars as Torquemada. With the assistance of his underlings, he wants to rid the world of witchcraft and heresy, figuring the best way to do this is to torture and kill what seems like 99% of the population (historically, he was said to be responsible of over 100,000 executions). During one ugly public display involving Gordon's wife Carolyn Purdy-Gordon a young baker Antonio and his wife Maria make the mistake of trying to intervene, so they assume she's a witch and toss her in the dungeon. Maria's husband tries to save her and of course is immediately arrested as well. Unfortunately for Maria, Torquemada, who is a monk, is horrified to find himself secretly attracted to her and doesn't know how to deal with it. At first it seems like Maria might be able to use this to her advantage, but since Torquemada is so psychotically religious that he thinks any human emotions are the work of Satan, things just get more complicated and intense from there. There are several very clever references to Poe's works, that are not just tossed in there, they actually fit in very nicely with the story. The cast is amazing and I will refrain from speaking on them because this would get really long if I did. ^_^ This is definately not a movie for kids, or adults who are extremely sensitive because most likely you will be horrified or offended in some fashion. The atmosphere and the settings are impressive. The ancient castle and the torture chambers are really intriguing. The costumes are terrific as well. There isn't too much gore and violence to detect in this movie but they're are a few very explicit scenes that show true horror. But it's always shot with a lot of style and class. Those explicit scenes are the torture and executions and they can be a little intense for those who might be sensitive, as I stated previously. Overall this is by far one of my all time favorite movies.
  • WickedStar375
    June 2, 2008
    WickedStar375
    Well I finally got to see this movie, and let me tell you something. It is highly disturbing. I have not yet read the famous poem by Edgar Allan Poe. But, this movie, is very well done, the acting is great, good death scenes, and great torture acts. A good movie on its own, does ... read morenot feel like a typical Fullmoon movie, but it is very good for what it is. Not something you would want to see all the time. well not me anyways. Alot of torture, and sadistic acts being done. Great music by Richard Band.
  • mamak31553
    June 2, 2007
    mamak31553
    I saw this once in the mid-90's during an insomnia attack. It was unforgettable!! Will be added to my personal collection

View All The Pit and the Pendulum Reviews

Critic Reviews

Fred Topel
July 18, 2003
Fred Topel, About.com

Boring adaptation with no scares, no mood and no sex appeal (considering it's a form of sexual persecution)

Alex Sandell
June 25, 2003
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum

Not bad, but I expected a lot more from Stuart Gordon.

Ken Hanke
December 29, 2002
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Really underrated horror film from Stuart Gordon.

Victor Olliver
August 8, 2002
Victor Olliver, Teletext

Schlock of a very fine vintage.

Rob Gonsalves
April 12, 2011
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

Click to read the article Full Review

Michael Szymanski
October 15, 2005
Michael Szymanski, Zap2it.com

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
August 8, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

May 30, 2001
Filmcritic.com

Click to read the article Full Review

February 9, 2006
Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

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The Pit and the Pendulum Trivia

  • Name the director from the following movies: The House of Usher The Pit and the Pendulum The Little Shop of Horrors The Raven  Answer »
  • 1961. This is the second installment of the Price/Poe/Corman films. Vincent Price plays Nicholas Medina, a man who just recently lost his wife, Elizabeth.   Answer »
  • Which of the following movies was not adapted from a play?  Answer »
  • Pit and the Pendulum (1961) Vincent Price played ...  Answer »
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