The Pit and the Pendulum

1961

1h 20m

Horror

List

88%

26 Reviews

Tomatometer

75%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Elizabeth Barnard Medina (Barbara Steele) has died in the prime of life, and her brother, Francis (John Kerr), wants to know why. Elizabeth's husband, Nicholas (Vincent Price), and her doctor offer differing explanations, but when Francis learns that Nicholas' mother may have been buried alive, he begins to wonder if his sister met the same fate. And when he comes to believe that Elizabeth's spirit wanders about Nicholas' castle, Francis investigates -- and is stunned by what he finds.

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Critics Consensus

A chilling visual treat, Pit and the Pendulum unites genre masters Roger Corman and Vincent Price with delightfully dark results.

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Sabrina F

The Pit and the Pendulum is, like many gothic films, a little on the slow side. An Englishman, Francis Barnard, visits his brother-in-law's castle to investigate the mysterious disappearance of his sister. This, like most gothic stories, is a slowburn with Francis trying to get answers about his sister's disappearance, but he can't seem to get straight answers from anyone. To add to his frustration and annoyance, his brother-in-law's castle is experiencing some strange occurrences. What happened to Francis' sister? Is the castle haunted, and, if so, by whom? There are a couple of not-so-great performances in this film, most especially from the lead actor who plays Francis. That said, this is Vincent Price's movie, and he is spectacular. You get Vincent Price at the top of his game, Barbara Steele, and Poe in one film. There is ample gothic atmosphere, a beautiful setting, and the moments where Price and Steele share the screen together make this movie worthwhile. Just don't ask many questions when the twist is revealed.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/07/24

Full Review

Monsol E

A fantastic classic thriller. Possibly some of Price's finest acting. Going from a kind but tortured lord, to a man plagued by grief, and slowly slipping into insanity. Beautiful sets, and costumes, and a great sense of suspense as you wonder what's really going on, and who [or what] is behind it...when the twist is revealed it's very underwhelming...BUT the rug is immediately yanked out from under that, to reveal an even BIGGER twist! Leading to the big Pendulum scene, which is still tense and upsetting, even today. Everything here was amazing , both for the time, and now looking back. Absolutely watch this.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/17/23

Full Review

CodyZamboni

Solid, intense old school horror craftsmanship by B movie king, Roger Corman. The creepy atmosphere, spooky music, eerie matte paintings of sea cliff castle, and torture chamber cavern, the huge interior sets, and nice haunted house production design, all add to the sense of dread. Movie is anchored by Vincent Price's performance, and how he reacts to the plot's twists and turns. All capped by one of flimdom's most memorable, haunting final images.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/27/23

Full Review

Steve D

Not enough here resembles the story.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/17/23

Full Review

Elvis D

Fascinante relato de suspenso que deriva del relato original de Poe, pero de cierta manera mantiene la esencia de las obras del autor. Otra respetable obra de culto de Roger Corman y Vincent Prince. La historia no es como el relato original, ya que se trata de otra historia completamente diferente. Una historia sobre crimen y traición con un tono oscuro que juega con el miedo de Price en su papel. El guion es bueno, la dirección también y hasta la producción a pesar de su presupuesto. Una clásica cinta disfrutable para los fans de Corman o Price. Mi calificación final para esta película es un 9/10.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The 2nd-funniest Vincent Price movie ever, LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

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Roger Corman

Director

Vincent Price

Nicholas Medina

John Kerr

Francis Barnard

Barbara Steele

Elizabeth Barnard Medina

Luana Anders

Catherine Medina

Antony Carbone

Doctor Charles Leon

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Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

Roger Corman is legendary as a B-movie producer, but his less-heralded gifts as a director are displayed in this 1961 entry in his series of fantasia on themes from Edgar Allan Poe, staged with an elegance that belies the low budget and lurid content.

Oct 30, 2020

Full Review

Howard Thompson

New York Times

Roger Corman has evoked a genuinely chilling mood of horror.

Mar 18, 2020

Full Review

Keith Phipps

The Dissolve

Who wants understatement in a film with dungeons and giant blades?

Rated: 4/5

Oct 22, 2013

Full Review

Gayle Sequeira

BFI

The sickening dread this film builds up during a climactic sequence is eventually subverted, but The Pit and the Pendulum still conjures up one last stomach-sinking image to sear into memory before it ends.

Mar 4, 2024

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

It’s a moody, stylish, grand looking piece of Gothic horror, even more lavish than his first Poe production... and once again shot in rich, bleeding color and CinemaScope by the great Floyd Crosby.

Aug 19, 2023

Full Review

Chris Alexander

Alexander On Film

A richly realized, full-blooded ode to horror, dead dreams, duplicity, infidelity, mass-murder and cyclical madness.

Jul 13, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

Elizabeth Barnard Medina (Barbara Steele) has died in the prime of life, and her brother, Francis (John Kerr), wants to know why. Elizabeth's husband, Nicholas (Vincent Price), and her doctor offer differing explanations, but when Francis learns that Nicholas' mother may have been buried alive, he begins to wonder if his sister met the same fate. And when he comes to believe that Elizabeth's spirit wanders about Nicholas' castle, Francis investigates -- and is stunned by what he finds.

Director: Roger Corman
Screenwriter: Richard Matheson
Production Co: Alta Vista Productions
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 1h 20m

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