The Fall of the House of Usher /The Pit and the Pendulum

Director: Roger Corman
Actors: Vincent Price, Barbara Steele, Mark Damon, Myrna Fahey, Harry Ellerbe
Studio: American International Pictures (AIP)
Category: DVD

List Price: $9.98
Buy New: $4.49
You Save: $5.49 (55%)


New (39) Used (15) Collectible (1) from $4.49

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 23 reviews
Sales Rank: 3583

Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, 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: MGMD1006946D
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
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
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The Fall of the House of Usher /The Pit and the Pendulum

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Customer Reviews

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5 out of 5 stars Two Of "Uncle Vinnie's" Best...    December 6, 2008
C.T. Chase (Arlington, VA USA)
I do own both movies, but not in this particular edition (it was a gift for someone else). I can't vouch for the DVD quality, but since I never heard any complaints, I have to assume it was okay. The reason to buy this disk, of course, is the MOVIES. Two of Vincent Price's best for THIS low price? If you've never had the shivery pleasure of watching either, you should grab this up now! I hope someday that someone will give these films the "full monty" treatment they deserve, complete with more commentaries, more interviews with surviving cast and crew members, more STUFF!!!


3 out of 5 stars Being a two-fer is a benefit...    November 12, 2008
Paul H. Fackler (MAUSTON, Wisconsin United States)
First of all, these two movies should be viewed as "psychological" horror: don't expect "monsters" (other than human ones) or magic; after all, they are based on Edgar Allen Poe stories (though embellished). I prefer "Pit and the Pendulum" over "House of Usher", but each has its own take on the human mind.

Vincent Price is simply superb. Whatever else one says about these movies, his acting can hardly be faulted.

The DVD is that cost-effective but unsettling "one movie per side" design (watch where you put your fingers!), but the display quality is good. I would hesitate to buy "House" by itself, but adding it to "Pit" and pricing the pair low (even compared to single-movie DVDs) is a winning combination. Just don't expect to be scared witless.


4 out of 5 stars The Very Afflicted Mr. Usher    October 20, 2008
Jeff Farrow
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

[This review is part of my 31 days of Halloween series.]

I am focusing on HOUSE OF USHER in this review because PIT & THE PENDULUM is not a big favorite of mine, but it's ok for kids--as is HOUSE OF USHER.

THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER is one of the very best productions of the Roger Gorman-Vincent Price horror series. It is based on Edgar Allen Poe's masterpiece, very Lovecraftian & one of my personal favorites.

There are only 4 characters (which was certainly a plus for the budget) & the 4 actors & director Gorman are up to the challenge of making a well-acted & suspenseful film.

The central theme of both the book & the movie is that of a degenerate family line who physically & spiritually poisons not only their own ancestral home, but their very presence also pollutes the environment around them. The current residents are a brother and sister who, although not evil in themselves, are the end of the family line. The sister is prone to attacks of catalepsy & the brother suffers from a really killer case of neurasthenia. Both of these medical conditions were sort of "in vogue" near the end of the 19th century.

In its most extreme manifestation, catalepsy can cause a victim to actually appear dead. Fear of premature burial had some people so upset that elaborate precautions were made to prevent such a horrible fate--including above ground burial & a bell alarm system above ground that could be triggered from within the coffin, etc.

Neurasthenia was more of a "rich person's ailment" that could be the result of alcoholism, stress, etc. One cure involved electro-shock therapy. In Brother Usher's case it is obviously attributed to family inbreeding & psychosis. He can literally hear a pin fall & it drives him absolutely crazy--as if he wasn't already crazy enough! Vincent Price is in top form as the very afflicted Mr. Usher.

The entire condition of the family has degenerated to such a degree that the house itself is literally falling apart & sinking at the same time. The image of this at the film's conclusion is convincingly portrayed in a stark, expressionist style--as is the weird painting gallery depicting the evil Usher ancestors.

There is a very interesting dream sequence (as in MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH next on my list) that is still very cool to watch.

This is a movie kids can enjoy too.

Transylvania
Transylvania
The Masque of the Red Death / The Premature Burial
Entire Tales & Poems of Edgar Allan Poe: Photographic & Annotated Edition


4 out of 5 stars Classic Vincent Price    October 19, 2008
Tammy V (Virginia, USA)
I've loved these movies since I was a kid. No one can give you the creeps like Vincent Price, and no one can pull off a low budget horror film like Roger Corman. This is a great addition to any Halloween party. Make some popcorn, turn out the lights and enjoy.


4 out of 5 stars Great Classics    July 4, 2008
H. Thore (Anderson, SC USA)
If you like Vincent Price, you'll love this combo. I am a Poe fan and think Price portrays the exact character Poe imagined. If you like Edgar Allan Poe's poetry and know nothing of Vincent Price, I think you'll be impressed with the representations.