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The Pit and the Pendulum

Play trailer Poster for The Pit and the Pendulum 1961 1h 20m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 28 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
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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The Pit and the Pendulum

The Pit and the Pendulum

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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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Critics Reviews

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Jake Wilson The Age (Australia) 10/30/2020
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. Go to Full Review Howard Thompson New York Times 03/18/2020
Roger Corman has evoked a genuinely chilling mood of horror. Go to Full Review Keith Phipps The Dissolve 10/22/2013
4/5
Who wants understatement in a film with dungeons and giant blades? Go to Full Review John Ferguson Radio Times Oct 30
4/5
Corman creates a suitably gothic air and works wonders with a limited budget. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 07/20/2024
8/10
The scares and ghoulishness here are ahead of their time, with the titular pendulum proving a perfectly nightmarish set piece. Go to Full Review Gayle Sequeira BFI 03/04/2024
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Homu L @AkemiLord May 3 Fantastic movie. I really enjoyed watching this. Great film! See more Joaquin U @Joaquin1 Mar 30 Very entertaining. It takes Poe's tale as an excuse to make a totally different plot. Old school terror that might not be scary today, but will keep you interested in the characters' twisted psyches. Vincent Price is a guarantee of fun. See more John S @RT40486670 Jan 24 A bit of a plodding movie but it's wisely short with wonderful atmosphere (ie: sets and music). Vincent Price gives his all, as per usual. See more Blobbo X @Blobbo Nov 13 Enjoyed by lttle blob friends back in day. See more Tha HunnieDip Brand B @RT96519909 Jun 27 This Move kept me on the edge. Every time the Pendulum Swung OMG I was chewing off my nails. This was a great movie, 1961 version, this was 1 of my Old School Faves💖 See more Madoka A @RT95510435 06/23/2025 Fantastic. Spooky. Funny. Great product! Really good! See more Read all reviews
The Pit and the Pendulum

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Pit and the Pendulum

The Pit and the Pendulum (1961) The Pit and the Pendulum (1961) View more photos

Movie Info

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