The movie Edgar Allan Poe's the Pit and the Pendulum is a thrilling horror film that will leave viewers on the edge of their seat. It is loosely based on the classic short story of the same name by Edgar Allan Poe. The movie stars Amy Paffrath, Andrew Bowen, Greg Sestero, Tom Sandoval, and Andrew Bowen. The film was directed by David DeCoteau and released in 2009.
The story takes place during the Spanish Inquisition, a time of great turmoil and suffering. The film opens with Francis Barnard (Bowen) traveling to Spain to investigate the mysterious death of his sister, Elizabeth (Paffrath). Upon arrival, he is met by the beautiful Catherine (Paffrath), his sister's best friend. She leads him to the castle where his sister's husband, Don Medina (Sestero), lives. However, Don Medina is not pleased to see Francis and tells him that his sister died of a heart attack. Francis does not believe him and decides to stay at the castle and investigate further.
As Francis begins to explore the castle, he uncovers secrets that are more gruesome than he could have ever imagined. He discovers a dungeon where prisoners are tortured in unimaginable ways, including being hung by their hands over a pit of hungry rats. This is where the movie gets its name. The prisoners are forced to watch as a large pendulum swings back and forth, getting closer and closer to their bodies. It is a method of torture that dates back to the Inquisition.
As Francis continues his investigation, he begins to believe that Elizabeth is still alive and being tortured somewhere in the castle. He enlists the help of Sarah (Candace Hilligoss), a young servant girl who is sympathetic to his cause. Together, they make several startling discoveries, including the fact that Don Medina is involved in a secret cult that practices human sacrifice.
The tension in the film builds steadily throughout, and the climax is both gruesome and surprising. The actors do a fantastic job of bringing their characters to life, especially Amy Paffrath and Greg Sestero. Their performances are nuanced and chilling. The cinematography is also noteworthy. The film makes excellent use of the Gothic architecture of the castle, giving it a foreboding and ominous atmosphere.
Overall, Edgar Allan Poe's the Pit and the Pendulum is an excellent adaptation of Poe's classic short story. It has all the elements of a great horror film - suspense, gore, and a mysterious and unspeakable evil. While it is not for the faint of heart, fans of horror films will find it to be a satisfying and terrifying watch.
Edgar Allan Poe's the Pit and the Pendulum is a 2009 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes.
