Director: Roger Corman
Starring: Vincent Price, John Kerr, Barbara Steele, Luana Anders, Antony Carbone, Patrick Westwood, Lunette Bernay
Running Time: 80 minutes
Certificate: 15
Extras: Audio commentary with Roger Corman, Audio Commentary with critic Tim Lucas, Behind The Swinging Blade, Added TV Sequence, Original Trailer, An Evening Of Edgar Allen Poe with Vincent Price,
Best known as the king of cheap B-Z movies, with his name recently attached to the likes of SHARKTOPUS and CAMEL SPIDERS, Roger Corman has over 400 producing credits. But up until 1990, Corman was also known for directing over 50 films, and not all were as schlocky as one might expect. His best works were undoubtedly his Edgar Allen Poe adaptations, THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER, THE RAVEN, THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH and this latest release from Arrow Video, THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM.
The basic premise lent a lot to horror over the years, as did the majority of Poe’s work, but the real hook of the film was awaiting the nerve shredding scene most will be familiar with, even if it is just from the SAW films. Corman has a real eye for capturing Poe’s gothic sensibilities, which I believe are a result of limited budgets and the casting of the incredible Vincent Price. Price is sensational in this film, going from tormented and tragic widow, to a crazed and ruthless torturer. Many may have pigeonholed him as one of the scary actors of the time, but seeing him play the victim reminds us of what a talent he truly was. His facial expressions and quivering voice make him both vulnerable and terrifying.
The simple castle setting is brought to life on the exterior due to some beautiful matte paintings, making greys and purples work in harmony to create such an unwelcoming yet unavoidable locale. The high style is matched by some rather rich substance as well. Seeing Price’s descent into madness is of course a treat, but there are also other elements at work including childhood trauma, as well as classically cruel morality tales about faithfulness and trust.
THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM builds to the its excruciating climax, which may very well be tame by today’s standards, but the gradual descent of the blade along with Corman’s shot choices of the mechanisms, shadows, and terrified eyes of John Kerr, mean it is still a powerful film. Arrow Video’s little package here is wonderful. The film looks as great as it possibly could, and the extras present a treasure trove of great material. Most interesting is the TV added scene, used to push up the running time for the television broadcast. It may not make sense, but it is a bizarre offering in its own right.
[usr=4]THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM is out NOW via Arrow Video.
