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The Fall of the House of Usher /The Pit and the Pendulum |  | Director: Roger Corman
Actors: Vincent Price, Barbara Steele, John Kerr, Luana Anders, Antony Carbone
Studio: American International Pictures (AIP)
Category: DVD
List Price: $9.98
Buy New: $4.92
as of 11/28/2009 07:03 CST details
You Save: $5.06 (51%)
New (14) Used (6) from $4.92
Seller: mediathrill
Rating:  77 reviews
Sales Rank: 4788
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language)
Rating: Unrated
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 160 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: D1006946D
ISBN: 0792861280
UPC: 027616910875
EAN: 9780792861287
ASIN: B0007R4T12
Theatrical Release Date: June 22, 1960
Release Date: February 15, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
The Fall of the House of UsherLegendary scare-masters Vincent Price and Roger Corman serve up a diabolical nightmare from screenwriter Richard Matheson that drips with "brooding evil and sinister suspense" (The Film Daily)! Based on Edgar Allan Poe's chilling tale about a family driven to savage bloodlust by a power beyond their wildest fears this terrifying story of "murder madness and necrophilia" (Cue) proves that there's no place like home for horror!Running Time 70 MinThe Pit and the PendulumHappily-ever-after goes under the knife in this "eerie [and] excellent" (The Hollywood Reporter) saga of murder madness and forbidden desire. Starring Vincent Price as a man teetering on the brink of insanity (while his wife plots to push him over it) this "spine-tingling thriller" (Redbook) is a "lush elegant and bloody" (Cue) tale of razor-sharp terror!Running Time 70 MinSystem Requirements: Running Time 140 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: HORROR Rating: NR UPC: 027616910875 Manufacturer No: 1006946
Amazon.com
The Fall of the House of Usher's success in 1960 spurred American International Pictures to quickly launch another production based on an Edgar Allan Poe story. While producer-director Roger Corman had hoped to next adapt "The Masque of the Red Death" (which wasn't produced until 1964), Pit and the Pendulum (the onscreen title) became the second in AIP's long-running Poe series. Set in post-Inquisition Spain, the film stars John Kerr as a young Englishman who travels to the seaside castle of his brother-in-law (Vincent Price) to uncover the circumstances behind the death of his sister (a dubbed Barbara Steele). Price is tormented by memories of his mother's premature burial by his inquisitor father (also Price) and fears that this sadistic legacy has contributed to Steele's demise. Furthermore, he believes that Steele was also buried alive--a belief compounded by the mysterious destruction of her room, and the sound of her harpsichord playing in the night... Structured almost identically to Usher, Richard Matheson's script fleshes out the brief original text with a fast-paced and twist-filled plot that never loses sight of the psychological themes of Poe's work. It also provides Price with the richest of his many AIP/Poe roles, a sympathetic, deeply emotional man who is unhinged by the sins of his father. Corman's direction is equally driven and fluid, and features some impressive quasi-psychedelic visuals in the tense climax. Also noteworthy is art director's Daniel Haller's impressive design of the title set piece. MGM's widescreen DVD features commentary by Corman, which focuses primarily on the film's technical aspects. Also included is the original trailer and a prologue (shot by Norma Rae producer Tamara Asseyev) featuring costar Luana Anders, which was added to fill out the film's 1968 television broadcast. --Paul Gaita
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 77
 The Fall of the House of Usher November 26, 2009
D. Legendre (Arizona)
This movie was received in a expediate manner. I was very pleased in how quickly I received my order. After ordering this movie late one evening, I promptly received this movie three days later. The movie was packaged real well so it would not get damaged during shipping. It was also received in the condition "as new" as stated. I was very pleased with Amazon and their service. I will definitely order from them again in the future.
Freud was right. November 15, 2009
Derwood (In a safe place nearby . . . .)
Unconsciously, I purchased this movie twice, and instead of returning one of them, I brought two tv's into the same room and watched Usher and Pit side by side, simultaneously, and discovered during viewing that, not only am I a masochist, but I must kill the family cat and make a nice had out of its fur. Poor Mr. Jinx.
The Razor Edge of Destiny! October 23, 2009
James "Scotman" April (Bakersfield, CA)
Edgar Allen Poe would have been amazed at Richard Matheson's version of Edgar's original story about a 16th century nobleman, who meets despair, grief and insanity upon the death of his wife, or so we suppose.
One of Roger Corman's better horror films, after the success of The House of Usher. Vincent Price starts the story in deep grief, some critics say "whimpiness" (not really) as he relates to the brother of Elizabeth (his wife) the goings on since her death.
At first he makes up some story about her blood being bad, but then recants and spins a tale or two about her, some thinking that the castle may be haunted.
Eventually we find that Elizabeth is alive after all, faked her death and drives Nicholas crazy a day early since she has the hots for Nicholas' best friend, the doctor.
And darn wouldn't you know it, the same thing happened to his father. Except his father was a torturer for the Grand Inquisition.
Vincent Price is horrifically deviously delicious as a torturer who makes good use of the Iron Maiden and the Pendulum with such gleeful abandon, it's fun to watch. I have read where the Pendulum originally was hard rubber, but they decided to go for painted STEEL. That was some brave actor under the blade.
Corman's use of tinted frames, ocean storms, and distorted camera views makes for a fairly horrific tale. The "one-star wonders" on Amazon have not a clue what true horror is, when you put Corman, Price and Matheson in the same box.
Add this ghastly film to your repertoire of horror soon!
A classic! October 9, 2009
history buff (Ontario Canada)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I really love Vincent Price movies to put me in the mood for Halloween :) It is a great movie for anytime but I like to relax and watch the classics, so for my personal collection it is a must have. I have to say I really love both features but i must say the pit and the pendalum is the scarier one. Again it is a definitely good deal for top notch entertainment. A real family value.
 The Fall Of The House of Usher/Pitt and the Pendulum September 11, 2009
The Movie Nut "Lar" (Idaho)
I loved it Saturday night on TV as a child but now it seems dull. The only bright spot is Price's acting. Read Poe's story instead.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 77
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