Pit and the Pendulum (1961)

Director:

Roger Corman

Writers:

Richard Matheson (writer)
Edgar Allan Poe (story)

Release Date:

12 August 1961 (USA)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

Until now no one has dared to film this ...... the most diabolical classic of all time!

Plot:

Francis Barnard goes to Spain, when he hears his sister Elizabeth has died. Her husband Nicholas Medina...

Plot Keywords:

Torture Chamber | Psychological Horror | Madness | Treachery | Infidelity

Cast

Vincent Price	...	Nicholas / Sebastian Medina
John Kerr	...	Francis
Barbara Steele	...	Elizabeth
Luana Anders	...	Catherine
Antony Carbone	...	Doctor Leon
Patrick Westwood	...	Maximillian
Lynette Bernay	...	Maria
Larry Turner	...	Nicholas as a child
Mary Menzies	...	Isabella
Charles Victor	...	Bartolome

Also Known As:

The Pit and the Pendulum (USA)

Runtime:

80 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Unrated (video release) | USA:Approved (PCA #19988) | Argentina:16 | Norway:16 (1961) | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | West Germany:18 | UK:X (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Palos Verdes, California, USA

Company:

Alta Vista Productions

Trivia:

This was the second of Roger Corman's "Poe" films. He had intended to do "The Masque of the Red Death" but felt that it was too close to the content of Ingmar Bergman's recent Sjunde inseglet, Det (1957) (US title: "The Seventh Seal"). Several years later Corman would go to England to make The Masque of the Red Death (1964).

Goofs:

Continuity: The name plate on Elizabeth Medinas tomb goes from looking almost brand new to worn and rusty and back in several different shots.

Quotes:

Doctor Leon: [after Nicholas has fallen down the stairs and appears to have died] I told you to wait.
Elizabeth: I couldn't.
[she and Dr. Leon kiss]
Elizabeth: What about my brother?
Doctor Leon: He's supposed to leave in the morning , but now... why couldn't you wait one more day?
Elizabeth: I've waited too long already.
Elizabeth: [goes down to where Nicholas is laying] And now my dear Nicholas I have you exactly as I want you , helpless.
Doctor Leon: Elizabeth there is no time for this.
Elizabeth: I've waited an eternity for this moment there has to be time, is it not ironical my dear husband, you wife an adultress, your mother an adultress, your uncle an adulterer, your closest friend an adulterer, do you not find that amusing dear Nicholas?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in "HBO First Look: The Haunting (#6.6)" (1999)

One of the spookiest and most frightening of the Roger Corman Poe adaptations. A must see for all horror buffs.

'Pit And The Pendulum' sees b-grade legend Roger Corman ('Little Shop Of Horrors'), talented suspense writer Richard Matheson ('The Incredible Shrinking Man'), and horror master Vincent Price ('The Tingler') try and recreate the success of their first Poe adaptation 'House Of Usher'. And they do so admirably, '... Pendulum' being even better than the excellent '... Usher'. Matheson cleverly expands upon Poe's original tale by also mixing in elements from the earlier movie, 'The Premature Burial' and other Poe classics. John Kerr is the one weak link in this first rate thriller. An actor I'm not familiar with, he is dull and not all that good. Much better is Antony Carbone (who Corman fans will recognize from 'A Bucket Of Blood') as Price's doctor pal, and the underrated Luana Anders ('Dementia 13', 'Easy Rider') as Price's sister. Price himself is wonderful as usual as the tormented Don Medina, and an added bonus is the appearance of enduring cult figure, and one of the most beautiful actresses in movie history, Barbara Steele ('Black Sunday', 'Shivers'). Steele doesn't get as much screen time as one would wish but it's a joy to see her work alongside Price, sadly their only movie together. 'Pit And The Pendulum' is one of Corman's best horror movies, and one that will surprise many viewers today with just how atmospheric and creepy it still is. An extremely underrated film (as are Corman's other 60s Poe adaptations), and one that is a must see for all horror buffs. Highly recommended.