Pit and the Pendulum
American International Pictures (AIP) | Release Date: August 23, 1961 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
78
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews
Positive:
7
Mixed:
0
Negative:
0
Watch Now
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
Time OutStaff (Not Credited)
Corman at his intoxicating best, drawing a seductive mesh of sexual motifs from Poe's story through a fine Richard Matheson script. Read full review
80
The DissolveKeith Phipps
The film plays like a companion piece to Usher, but one eager to push beyond its limits, particularly in its tinted flashback sequences. It also lets Price begin the film as a delicate gentleman and end it as a madman. Read full review
80
EmpireKim Newman
A highly effective merging of star power (both in front and behind the camera) and finely honed horror sensibilities. Read full review
80
The TelegraphCatherine Gee
Watching this film as a child, the piercing image of Medina's wife Elizabeth's (Barbara Steele) wide eyes in the iron maiden stayed with me for years. Read full review
75
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
Screenwriter Richard Matheson did a fine job of adapting Poe's rather limited (for films) short story by saving the dungeon sequences for the climax and then creating a rather interesting plot line to lead up to it. One of Corman's and AIP's best. Read full review
70
The GuardianPhilip French
Corman enhances the narrative with assorted shocks and tinted flashbacks reminiscent of the silent cinema. Read full review
70
VarietyStaff (Not Credited)
A physically stylish, imaginatively photographed horror film which, though needlessly corny in many spots, adds up to good exploitation. Read full review
More From This Movie

78 Critic Reviews

6.3 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 81 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
2 77 Project Hail Mary
3 75 Send Help
4 73 Hoppers
5 72 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL