In this movie the plot has changed quite a bit. From the story were the narator has no name during the inqusition, to a man trying to find out what happened to his sister, after the inqusition. What were some key differances that you noticed? (There are alot of them)
shareUm... everything... besides the 'Pit' (which was barely shown, Doctor Leon just kind of fell into it... and so did Medina) and the Pendulum.
shareRoger Corman explains in the DVD commentaries that the Poe stories on which the films are based were very short, almost like one-act plays, and it was necessary to flesh them out with new characters and a second and third "act".
"I don't use a pen: I write with a goose quill dipped in venom!"---W. Lydecker
The time periods were different: 1546 (film) vs. early 19th century (story).
But there are more differences than similarities.
"early 19th century (story)." Are you sure?
http://www.literature.org/authors/poe-edgar-allan/pit-and-pendulum.html
By all accounts, it is indeed set in the Spanish Inquisition. I didn't expect that...
Yes, the short story of The Pit and the Pendulum is definitely set in the early 19th century--about 1804, to be precise. How do I know that? The victim is rescued by General LaSalle at the end. LaSalle took part in the Peninsular Wars in the early 1800s.
Also, it's a common mistake to think of the Spanish Inquisition occurring only during the middle ages; in fact, it was in place for almost 400 years. And it wasn't like one of those crazy laws that stays on the books that everyone forgets about--the Inquisition continued actively throughout that time. It wasn't abolished until the 1830s.
Anyway, I think the story is such an internal psychological struggle that it would be almost impossible to mimic that terror on film. In movies, we tend to need more story and character motivation. I'd love, however, to see a talented director (someone like David Fincher) try his or her hand at capturing the terror and suspense in the original story without major alterations.
Great post, christine_p2.
I think it'll be hard to depict the utter darkness that made the story so claustrophobic and terrifying. Perhaps there could be a pinhole of light, as we saw in Papillon
"By all accounts, it is indeed set in the Spanish Inquisition. I didn't expect that... "
Hahaha... that´s because nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!
Hey, it may have taken almost seven years for someone to say it, but that was a perfect, and perfectly hilarious reply! Thanks for the best laugh I've had in weeks.
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