The Pit and the Pendulum (1991)

50% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
44% of users liked it
(2,087 ratings)

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 painful ways of getting his victims to confess to dabbling in witchcraft. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Stuart Gordon
Genres: Horror

In Theaters: Aug 5, 1961 Wide
On DVD: Mar 14, 2000
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

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, Juicy Cerebellum
Not bad, but I expected a lot more from Stuart Gordon.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Really underrated horror film from Stuart Gordon.
Victor Olliver, Teletext
Schlock of a very fine vintage.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Phil H

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… More
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 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.
Dr Blood

Hardly the Vincent Price film, this "remake" is by the "Re-animator" team and, as such, is fabulously gory and full of black humour.
Anthony V

Puts its low budget to work.