The Pit and the Pendulum

1991
R
1h 37m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Lance Henriksen in The Pit and the Pendulum (1991)

Horror film set in 1492 Toledo, Spain, depicting the cruel deeds of a monk named Torquemada, Grand Inquisitor of the Spanish Inquisition.Horror film set in 1492 Toledo, Spain, depicting the cruel deeds of a monk named Torquemada, Grand Inquisitor of the Spanish Inquisition.Horror film set in 1492 Toledo, Spain, depicting the cruel deeds of a monk named Torquemada, Grand Inquisitor of the Spanish Inquisition.

Director
- Stuart Gordon
Writers
- Edgar Allan Poe
- Dennis Paoli
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.0/10

5.7K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Stuart Gordon
Writers
- Edgar Allan Poe
- Dennis Paoli
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win & 5 nominations

Trivia
During filming, Lance Henriksen and director Stuart Gordon clashed with each other frequently. He questioned Gordon's role as director and was opposed to the humor in the film. Eventually, Gordon surrendered and told Henriksen he could do whatever he pleased with the character of Torquemada and made peace with Henriksen by the time filming was finished.

Goofs
The Pope of the Catholic Church during the majority of the Spanish Inquisition was Pope Innocent VIII, who had originally appointed Torquemada as the Grand Inquisitor of Spain in 1487. Unlike the film, which portrays the Pope as disapproving of Torquemada's actions, Innocent VIII fully supported the endeavor.

Quotes
Torquemada: Surely Rome understands that public executions discourage sin?
Cardinal: The good Lord, you know, padre, he want us to love our neighbor, no roast him, mmm? No roast him ...

Alternate versions
Available in both R and unrated versions.

Connections
Edited into Full Moon Fantasy (1993)

Soundtracks
Emendemus in Melius
Composed by Cristobal De Morales

User reviews53

Review

Featured review

Jeffrey Combs AND Lance Henriksen!

This movie has everything that a growing boy (and girl) needs: Jeffrey Combs as a hilariously anachronistic inquisitor, Lance Henriksen as a wonderfully creepy grand inquisitor, nudity, bloodshed, and an exploding witch.

As far as horror movies go, it is not especially frightening. It does fairly well as a suspense thriller. But its main strength lies in its cast, the art direction, and the behind the scenes footage.

Even if you happen to be expecting a straight Edgar Allen Poe adaptation, this movie won't disappoint. Even though it has a pit and a bladed pendulum, the similarities are few and far between. The ending IS kind of weird, but as they say, getting there is half the fun. Well worth renting or buying. (3.7 out of 5)