The Pit and the Pendulum
“A bizarre descent into hell from the creator of Re-Animator.”
Synopsis
Set during the height of Spanish Inquisition. The beautiful and kind-hearted Maria is arrested as a witch when she inadvertently cries out in horror at the public whipping of a child. As Maria’s husband Antonio tries to save her, Torquemada, the Grand Inquisitor, determines to punish Maria with torture for the desire she inflames in him. Loosely based on Edgar Allen Poe's classic short story.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
The Pit And The Pendulum ≣ 1991 ≣ Trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2019-08-14
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →
Lance Henriksen
Torquemada
Stephen Lee
Gomez
William Norris
Dr. Huesos
Mark Margolis
Mendoza
Carolyn Purdy-Gordon
Contessa D'Alba Molina
Barbara Bocci
Contessa's Son
Benito Stefanelli
Executioner
Jeffrey Combs
Francisco
Tom Towles
Don Carlos
Rona De Ricci
Maria
Jonathan Fuller
Antonio
Oliver Reed
Cardinal
Larry Dolgin
Sergeant of the Guards
Frances Bay
Esmeralda
Fabio Carfora
Beggar
Michael Deak
Guard (uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
June 27, 1991
Wide Cinema Exhibition
April 30, 2013
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$2M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$3K
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
0x
-$2M deficit
Theatrical Status
Budget Return
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Stuart Gordon
- Screenplay & Story
- Dennis Paoli
- Original Score
- Richard Band
- Original Title
- The Pit and the Pendulum
- Country of Origin
- Italy, United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- German, English
- Runtime
- 1h 37m
- Production Budget
- $2M
- Worldwide Gross
- $3K
- Production Studios
- Full Moon Entertainment
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Stuart Gordon
Dennis Paoli, Edgar Allan Poe
Richard Band
Adolfo Bartoli
Andy Horvitch
Albert Band, Michael Catalano, Charles Band
Department Leadership Roster
Stuart Gordon
Director
Albert Band
Producer
Dennis Paoli
Screenplay
Adolfo Bartoli
Director of Photography
Giovanni Natalucci
Production Design
Andy Horvitch
Editor
Richard Band
Original Music Composer
Michaela Gisotti
Costume Design
Benito Stefanelli
Stunt Coordinator
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 18 — Restricted to adults 18 and older.
Suitable only for adults 18 years and over.
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Pit and the Pendulum.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Pit and the Pendulum.
Movies - Horror
Filmes Adultos
Filmes eróticos.
Medieval
Auto-filled from Letterboxd lists
HORROR COLLECTIONS, ANTHOLOGIES, SEQUALS. PREQUELS, REMAKES & SPIN-OFFS
THE AMBER-ENCAPSULATED TRANS-NEPTUNIAN FLICKERS PROJECT 😷 2020 ✨
The films I watched in 2020.
Horror Movie Collection 😍
Horror Movie My Favorite.
Similar Titles to The Pit and the Pendulum
Movies sharing stylistic DNA, tone, and thematic storytelling
5.2
5.0
6.2
6.6
6.8
4.8
7.0
5.5
6.8
7.3
5.3
4.8
3.0
5.5
5.8
8.0
3.5
6.0
1.0
More Like The Pit and the Pendulum
Recommended titles matching themes, cast, and genres.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Pit and the Pendulum
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Pit and the Pendulum about?
Set during the height of Spanish Inquisition. The beautiful and kind-hearted Maria is arrested as a witch when she inadvertently cries out in horror at the public whipping of a child. As Maria’s husband Antonio tries to save her, Torquemada, the Grand Inquisitor, determines to punish Maria with torture for the desire she inflames in him. Loosely based on Edgar Allen Poe's classic short story.
Who directed The Pit and the Pendulum?
The Pit and the Pendulum was directed by Stuart Gordon.
Who stars in The Pit and the Pendulum?
The principal cast of The Pit and the Pendulum includes Lance Henriksen, Stephen Lee, William Norris, Mark Margolis, Carolyn Purdy-Gordon.
When was The Pit and the Pendulum released and how long is it?
The Pit and the Pendulum was released in 1991 with a total runtime of 1h 37m.
What was the box office and production budget of The Pit and the Pendulum?
The Pit and the Pendulum had a reported production budget of $2M and grossed $3K at the worldwide box office (0 return on budget, classified as a underperformed).
Who composed the musical score for The Pit and the Pendulum?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Pit and the Pendulum was composed by Richard Band.
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Pit and the Pendulum?
The Pit and the Pendulum holds official age classifications: DE: 18 (FSK 18 — Restricted to adults 18 and older.); GB: 18 (Suitable only for adults 18 years and over.); US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).