"The Pit & the Pendulum" *** (out of ****)I've never really been a big fan of Roger Corman. I understand the influence he has had on cinema and in some small way admire him but I never felt his work was essential to my cinematic viewing. I usually considered his work exploitation. For readers not familiar with Mr. Corman, he has made a career out of making small budget horror films and science fiction films. Some of his titles include "Little Shop of Horrors", which holds the record for the fastest production shoot of a featured film; 2 days! He also did "The Beast with a Million Eyes", "Teenage Cave Man" and "The Man with X-Ray Eyes".
I don't mean to diminish his work however. He is, in a small way, important to cinema and people, especially filmbuffs, should not snub his work. He is after all responsible for the early careers of many great directors and actors. He helped start the careers of Martin Scorsese, Jack Nicholson and Ron Howard got his early directing lessons from him. So the man knew talent when he saw it.
If you chose the watch Corman's films I feel the most comfortable recommending what is known as his "Poe series". A collection of films he directed which were adapted from the writings of Edgar Allan Poe. These films have the most artistic value. While the films were made on a small budget they look impressive. The sets look as good as you'll find in any other film. And because it is Edgar Allan Poe, the stories are interesting.
"The Pit & the Pendulum" continues on the collaboration between Corman and Vincent Price. Luckily for me, as I devote more time to horror films because of Halloween, I am killing three birds with one stone. In one movie I get to write about Roger Corman, Vincent Price and Edgar Allan Poe. How perfect! Price and Corman worked on the Poe films together. Some of the other titles are "The Fall of the House of Usher", which was released before this film, and "The Raven", Peter Lorre co-stars in that one. It is not a faithful adaptation and is played for more campy comedy instead. Corman also directed "The Masque of the Red Death".
Vincent Price is someone I've never considered a great actor. He is largely associated with horror movies but like Corman, they were usually cheap, silly movies. Some are good mind you and have become something of horror cult classics; "House of Wax", "The Fly", and "House on Haunted Hill". But Price would usually make fun of his reputation and appeared in some films with Frankie Avalon (!). I guess at least he had a sense of humor about the quality of pictures he was working on. Though at first in Price's career he did act in serious movies. Watch him in "Laura" and "Leave Her to Heaven".
In this movie however Price goes back to his campy style of acting. I honestly can't tell if Price thinks what he is doing is dramatic or if he knows it is campy and over-acted. The acting in the film, not just by Price, who actually comes out looking the best, believe it or not, is what hurts the film the most. This could have been a truly great film. But none of the actors are able to express much of a range. Could it have been Corman's fault? Was that the direction he gave? Did he want the actors to appear almost trance-like? To withhold any emotion? If he did, it doesn't seem to gel with the story here of a man haunted by the past and a lost love. The story is all about emotion.
Price plays duel roles as Nicholas Medina and his father Sebastian. As Nicholas he was married to Elizabeth (Barbara Steele). Who has died three months ago. Nicholas is still recovering from her death. Elizabeth's brother, Francis Barnard (John Kerr) is suspicious of his sister's death and comes to the Medina estate to find out exactly what happened to his sister. Staying with Nicholas is his sister, Catherine (Luana Anders).
Without giving away too much of the plot, many family secrets are revealed about Nicholas and the Medina family. Their father, Sebastian, was part of the Spanish Inquisition and had a torture chamber in the basement. A young Nicholas would see events take place there which would haunt him for the rest of his life. Nicholas feels it was the castle which killed Elizabeth. He also feels her spirit is haunting him.
Francis doesn't believe Nicholas but soon whispers are heard of Elizabeth's voice. Her harpsichord is heard playing and sounds come from her room. Is Elizabeth alive trying to torment Nicholas?
"The Pit & the Pendulum" does a lot of things right. As I have already stated, the production value is quite good. I also enjoyed the musical score and liked the cinematography. It all helps create a good atmosphere. The viewer knows something is going to happen but is not sure what. It is only the acting which drags the film down. I almost considered giving the film two-and-a-half stars instead but because Corman does so many things right in the movie I decided to tip things his way.
A very important element of the film is the use of colors. I'm going to reveal something here which I never have before, I am partially color-blind. I have trouble distinguishing various shades of colors. You'll notice I never mention color patterns in my reviews. I understand the importance of color in films, but, because I don't know what color I'm looking at or what certain colors represent, I avoid the topic. Still, there are dream sequences which have a certain hue. The opening credits are done over tie-dye and end with them too.
As for the climax, without revealing what happens, it does give you small chills. The ending is devilish. Sadly at this point however Price is completely gone. His acting to starting to border-line on comedy. It is almost a parody. But he is the only one in the cast which seems to be acting with any life. He seems to be the only one comfortable in front of the camera and actually willing to run the risk of making a fool of himself. He is willing to take a chance in order to get some sort of emotion across. You have to respect that.
"The Pit & the Pendulum" would make for a good Halloween viewing. It is silly enough for you to laugh at it with friends but at times suspenseful enough to keep you involved wondering where exactly is this story going to take us. Besides the acting, everything else is worth seeing.
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