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Lance Henriksen, Rona DeRicci, Jonathan Fuller, Frances Bay, Jeffrey Combs

Set during the 15th century Spanish Inquisition, a mad priest wages war against suspected witches and warlocks.

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50% liked it

1,526 ratings

R, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Stuart Gordon

Release Date: January 1, 1991

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DVD Release Date: March 14, 2000

 

Stats: 84 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (84)

  • 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.
  • flynnparadox
    September 14, 2006
    flynnparadox
    The film never comes together but Henriksen is brilliant and the set-pieces are in the grand, over-the-top Gordan style.
  • threefolddado
    July 7, 2008
    threefolddado
    Puts its low budget to work.
  • 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 more)t apply!
  • weikel2000
    October 14, 2008
    weikel2000
    Another of the Poe/Vincent Price enfusions...probably the best out of all of them.
  • 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 more)any 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.
  • Ghw12158
    July 21, 2008
    Ghw12158
    see the Vincent Price version far superior
  • 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 more)not 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.
  • zandurian
    December 27, 2007
    zandurian
    I cant remember if I like this or not, gotta see it again.

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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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