The Pit and the Pendulum (1991) (V)

Director:

Stuart Gordon

Writers:

Edgar Allan Poe (story)
Dennis Paoli (screenplay)

Release Date:

27 June 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

A bizarre descent into hell from the creator of re-animator.

Plot:

It is the time of the Spanish Inquisition. Maria does not like what is going on during the "Auto De Fe"...

Plot Keywords:

Witch | Torquemada | Inquisition | Tortured | Husband

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Lance Henriksen	...	Torquemada
Stephen Lee	...	Gomez
William J. Norris	...	Dr. Huesos
Mark Margolis	...	Mendoza
Carolyn Purdy-Gordon	...	Contessa D'Alba Molina
Barbara Bocci	...	Contessa's Son
Benito Stefanelli	...	Executioner
Jeffrey Combs	...	Francisco
Tom Towles	...	Don Carlos
Rona De Ricci	...	Maria
Jonathan Fuller	...	Antonio
Geoffrey Copleston	...	Butcher
Larry Dolgin	...	Sergeant of the Guards
Tunny Piras	...	Guard
Fabio Carfora	...	Beggar

Also Known As:

The Inquisitor (USA) (DVD title)

Runtime:

97 min | Spain:93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Finland:K-18 | Australia:R | UK:18 | USA:Unrated | Iceland:(Banned) | Iceland:16 (cut) | Norway:18

Filming Locations:

Castello di Giove, Giove, Terni, Umbria, Italy

Company:

Empire Pictures (II)

Trivia:

Stuart Gordon had intended to film this for some time with Peter O'Toole in the role of Torquemada, but the original production was canceled.

Quotes:

Cardinal: No!
Gomez: No!
Cardinal: No, I tell you, I havea de seal of de Pope!
Gomez: Oh! He hasa de seal of de Pope!
Cardinal: NO! Help me!
Gomez: Help me!
Cardinal: Someone help me!
Gomez: Someone help me!
Cardinal: No! No, I tell you! No, Help me! Help me someone!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Zombie Cop (1991)

Jeffrey Combs AND Lance Henriksen!

This movie has everything that a growing boy (and girl) needs: Jeffrey Combs as a hilariously anachronistic inquisitor, Lance Henriksen as a wonderfully creepy grand inquisitor, nudity, bloodshed, and an exploding witch.

As far as horror movies go, it is not especially frightening. It does fairly well as a suspense thriller. But its main strength lies in its cast, the art direction, and the behind the scenes footage.

Even if you happen to be expecting a straight Edgar Allen Poe adaptation, this movie won't disappoint. Even though it has a pit and a bladed pendulum, the similarities are few and far between. The ending IS kind of weird, but as they say, getting there is half the fun. Well worth renting or buying. (3.7 out of 5)