Review of The Pit and the Pendulum (1991) by Amy D — 16 Apr 2010
Really, Mr. Gordon?
This film never really decides if it wants to be a serious condemnation of the atrocities committed in God's name or if it wants to be over-the-top camp a la "Re-Animator." The plot is simple: a beautiful woman is arrested on charges of being a witch, but it turns out Torquemada just has the hots for her. Her intrepid husband tries to break her out of jail but ends up getting arrested himself. They are both tortured until Maria uses her newly-found gift to exact revenge. No, it doesn't make sense.
The inclusion of bits of "The Cask of Amontillado" and "Fall of the House of Usher" was nice, but it ultimately didn't work for me. Lance Henriksen was fine as the Grand Inquisitor but he is absolutely wasted, as is Jeffrey Combs in a stupid wig.
This review of The Pit and the Pendulum (1991) was written by Amy D on 16 Apr 2010.
The Pit and the Pendulum has generally received mixed reviews.
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