The Pit and the Pendulum (1961): cast, story & where to watch
1961 · Film · ★ 6.8
Released in 1961, The Pit and the Pendulum is a thriller, horror and mystery film directed by Roger Corman, running about 81 minutes. “Betrayal cuts both ways!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. In the sixteenth century, Francis Barnard travels to Spain to clarify the strange circumstances of his sister's death after she had married the son of a cruel Spanish Inquisitor.
Who’s in it. The Pit and the Pendulum stars Vincent Price as Nicholas Medina / Sebastian Medina, John Kerr as Francis Barnard, Barbara Steele as Elizabeth Barnard Medina and Luana Anders as Catherine Medina, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.8/10, The Pit and the Pendulum has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $2M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo and MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Pit and the Pendulum page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Pit and the Pendulum tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Pit and the Pendulum (1961)?
- In US, The Pit and the Pendulum is available to stream on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel and Philo, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Pit and the Pendulum worth watching?
- The Pit and the Pendulum holds an audience score of 6.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller, horror and mystery. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Pit and the Pendulum?
- The Pit and the Pendulum stars Vincent Price, John Kerr, Barbara Steele, Luana Anders and Antony Carbone.
- When was The Pit and the Pendulum released?
- The Pit and the Pendulum was released in 1961, with a runtime of about 81 minutes.