The Pit and the Pendulum
Seen it?1961 | 80 min | Horror, Mystery, Drama
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (89% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing and horror fans. If you loved House on Haunted Hill, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Scary.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 20 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1961: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In the sixteenth century, Francis Barnard travels to Spain to clarify the strange circumstances of his sister's death after she had married the son of a cruel Spanish Inquisitor.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$2 million worldwide on a $200K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 58K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Roger Corman
- Vincent PriceNicholas Medina / Sebastian Medina
- John KerrFrancis Barnard
- Barbara SteeleElizabeth Barnard Medina
- Luana AndersCatherine Medina
- Antony CarboneDoctor Leon
- Patrick WestwoodMaximillian
- Lynette BernayMaria
- Mary MenziesIsabella
- Charles VictorBartolome
- Larry TurnerYoung Nicholas