Many horror fans and literature fans are familiar with the works of Edgar Allen Poe.  The poet/critic/novelist is credited with heavily influencing most macabre and horror fiction in the past two centuries.  One of his popular works, “The Pit and the Pendulum” has been adapted to film several times.  The most recognizable adaptation remains Roger Corman’s version of the film in 1961, starring Vincent Price and Barbara Steele.

The short film reviewed here was written by Matt Taylor and directed by Marc Lougee, and holds truer to the original story.  In this delightfully dark visitation, viewers watch a victim of the Spanish Inquisition as he discovers and deals with the tortures inflicted upon him.  The entire story is shot using stop-motion animation (with visual effects by Switch VFX).

The lighting and sets contribute to the damp and eerie feel of this victim’s situation.  However, the film simply wouldn’t work at all without the effective orchestral soundtrack by Phillip Stanger.  Combined with the heartfelt reading of Dwayne Hill, the filmmakers transform clay and metal into a vivid depiction of one man’s horrible experience on the brink of death.

“The Pit and the Pendulum” has received a very favorable response on the festival circuit, winning awards at the International Horror and Sci-fi Film Festival, Redemptive Film Festival, Cinepobre Festival and more.

To see more of the film and the work of director Lougee, check out www.thepitandthependulumshortfilm.com.