The Pit and the Pendulum Resources

Websites

The Story Man

Here's a nice look at Poe's stories and poems, complete with biography, full-text versions of his works, and other assorted goodies.

Movie or TV Productions

The Pit and the Pendulum (1961)

Despite sharing its name, this movie has very little to do with Poe's story. But it does feature Vincent Price and a screenplay written by Richard Matheson – the man who wrote the book I Am Legend and that episode of the Twilight Zone with the goblin hanging out on the wing of the airplane.

Claymation Style

Ray Harryhausen Presents: The Pit and the Pendulum (2006) is a short film based on Poe's story – done in stop-motion claymation! Bet you weren't expecting that. It comes with the blessing of Ray Harryhausen, the man behind the special effects in many a monster movie; his last film was Clash of the Titans (1981), which – surprise, surprise – has also been remade.

Video

Dramatic Reading

Vincent Price, master of horror, reads Poe's story aloud. You may recognize his voice from the video for Michael Jackson's "Thriller."

Trailer for Ray Harryhausen Presents: The Pit and the Pendulum

Looks to be a faithful adaptation, no? Well, aside from the whole clay thing…