The Pit And The Pendulum (1961)
The Pit And The Pendulum (1961)
Not all low budget films, are b-rate schlock films, though it is true that those are the types of film that Roger Corman has built an amazing career upon. Sometimes a low budget film, can be done just right, and can end up being one of the top grossing films of the year, as well as becoming a critically acclaimed classic horror film, that still lives on nearly 60 years later. That is the case with The Pit And The Pendulum from 1961. The film is inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's classic short story of the same name, though there needed to be a lot of story added to make it into a full length film, and ultimately Poe's short story served as the climax for the film. The film tells the story of a young man named Frances Bernard, who comes to the castle of his brother-in-law Nicholas' castle to investigate the mysterious death of his sister Elizabeth. The mystery evolves and gets complicated, and someone or something is pulling the strings to drive Nicholas over the edge of madness, The Pit And The Pendulum is an intense adventure into madness, torture, and murder, with an amazing cast, and incorporates elements of a few of Poe's works to create a truly terrifying film, with a dark sadistic twist.
The Pit And The Pendulum was produced and directed by Roger Corman. The screenplay was written by Author Richard Matheson. Matheson is a science-fiction/fantasy/horror writer famous for novels such as I Am Legend, and The Incredible Shrinking Man. Vincent Price, also starred in the film The Last Man On Earth, which was based on Matheson's novel I Am Legend. The film was produced by Alta Vista Productions, and distributed by American International Pictures. The Pit And The Pendulum would go on to be a very successful films, and one of American International Pictures' highest grossing, and most successful films. The film was a financial success grossing $2 million on a budget of merely $300,000, as well as being a critical success, receiving mostly positive reviews. However there were some critics both of the time and currently who were not fond of the film and gave it scathing reviews, one of which was one of the few reviews that actually deeply hurt and humiliated Vincent Price.
The Pit And The Pendulum stars Vincent Price as Nicholas Medina (he also plays his father Sebastian Medina in a flashback), John Kerr as Francis Barnard, Barbara Steele as Elizabeth, Luana Anders as Catherine Medina (Nicholas' sister), Antony Carbone as Doctor Leon, Patrick Westwood as Maximilian, Lynette Bernay as Maria, Larry Turner as young Nicholas (in a flashback), Mary Menzies as Isabella, and charles Victor as Bartolome. This film has an amazing, and talented cast, especially with Vincent Price as the lead. Price has this beautiful theatrical quality to his acting, and his portrayal of Nicholas' descent into madness is beautifully done. The character has an element of sadness, and a twisted darkness, which was so perfectly portrayed by Price's amazing acting abilities.
Of Roger Corman's extensive body of work, this might be one of the films where he was at the top of his game. The film was beautifully shot in Panavision, and the choice to do it in colour, was a great one, as the film utilizes some beautiful vibrant colours that really add to the dreamlike horror tone of the film. This film really does look absolutely amazing, and it was such a huge shock that it was made so cheaply. I am a huge Roger Corman fan, and this film stands out for its high quality, and its beautiful shots, and to be honest it surpasses what Corman is able to do in most of his films. If you have not yet seen The Pit And The Pendulum, I highly recommend checking it out, it is an amazing classic, and must see horror film. This is on par if not succeeding the work that Hammer Films was releasing, this film is honestly better than most of the films that Universal were putting out, with a fraction of the budget. If you come across a copy of The Pit And The Pendulum don't pass it up, this is a film that belongs in every film collectors library.
The Pit And The Pendulum was produced and directed by Roger Corman. The screenplay was written by Author Richard Matheson. Matheson is a science-fiction/fantasy/horror writer famous for novels such as I Am Legend, and The Incredible Shrinking Man. Vincent Price, also starred in the film The Last Man On Earth, which was based on Matheson's novel I Am Legend. The film was produced by Alta Vista Productions, and distributed by American International Pictures. The Pit And The Pendulum would go on to be a very successful films, and one of American International Pictures' highest grossing, and most successful films. The film was a financial success grossing $2 million on a budget of merely $300,000, as well as being a critical success, receiving mostly positive reviews. However there were some critics both of the time and currently who were not fond of the film and gave it scathing reviews, one of which was one of the few reviews that actually deeply hurt and humiliated Vincent Price.
The Pit And The Pendulum stars Vincent Price as Nicholas Medina (he also plays his father Sebastian Medina in a flashback), John Kerr as Francis Barnard, Barbara Steele as Elizabeth, Luana Anders as Catherine Medina (Nicholas' sister), Antony Carbone as Doctor Leon, Patrick Westwood as Maximilian, Lynette Bernay as Maria, Larry Turner as young Nicholas (in a flashback), Mary Menzies as Isabella, and charles Victor as Bartolome. This film has an amazing, and talented cast, especially with Vincent Price as the lead. Price has this beautiful theatrical quality to his acting, and his portrayal of Nicholas' descent into madness is beautifully done. The character has an element of sadness, and a twisted darkness, which was so perfectly portrayed by Price's amazing acting abilities.
Of Roger Corman's extensive body of work, this might be one of the films where he was at the top of his game. The film was beautifully shot in Panavision, and the choice to do it in colour, was a great one, as the film utilizes some beautiful vibrant colours that really add to the dreamlike horror tone of the film. This film really does look absolutely amazing, and it was such a huge shock that it was made so cheaply. I am a huge Roger Corman fan, and this film stands out for its high quality, and its beautiful shots, and to be honest it surpasses what Corman is able to do in most of his films. If you have not yet seen The Pit And The Pendulum, I highly recommend checking it out, it is an amazing classic, and must see horror film. This is on par if not succeeding the work that Hammer Films was releasing, this film is honestly better than most of the films that Universal were putting out, with a fraction of the budget. If you come across a copy of The Pit And The Pendulum don't pass it up, this is a film that belongs in every film collectors library.
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