Watch The Pit
- R
- 1981
- 1 hr 32 min
-
5.7 (3,518)
The Pit is a 1981 horror flick that tells the tale of a young boy named Jamie Benjamin (played by Sammy Snyders) who is an outsider in his rural town. Jamie is a strange kid with a dark secret, he talks to his stuffed animals, has an obsession with digging holes and has a deep desire for revenge. He spends most of his days wandering through the forests and swamps that surround the town. In his explorations, he discovers a pit filled with creatures that he believes are demons.
The creatures in the pit are real and Jamie decides to use them to his advantage by feeding them anyone he dislikes or considers a threat. The Pit is a dark and twisted tale that takes the audience on a journey through the mind of a disturbed young boy. The film has an eerie and unsettling atmosphere that is sure to leave viewers on edge.
The film primarily focuses on Jamie's descents into madness, his interactions with the creatures in the pit and his day to day life. One of the most intriguing elements of the story is the way the director captures Jamie's struggle to fit in with the world around him. Jamie is essentially an outcast and the director does an excellent job of portraying how Jamie finds solace in the pit, the creatures which inhabit it and his stuffed animals.
The creatures, who have been trapped in the pit for centuries, are genuinely frightening, and the special effects used to bring them to life are impressive. The film also has some moments of humor, but it is typically macabre in tone. The Pit has a lot of gore and violence, there's a lot of blood, and a few gruesome squishy sounds which are sure to appeal to the gorehounds.
The acting is generally quite good, with Sammy Snyder's performance being the standout. Snyder delivers a chilling portrayal of Jamie, and despite his young age, he managed to hold his own against the other actors in the cast. His performance made Jamie's character intriguing and unsettling.
Jeannie Elias, who plays the role of Sandy O'Reilly, Jamie's babysitter, is also solid in her part. Her character is sympathetic and her relationship with Jamie is genuine. Sonja Smits, who plays Jamie's mother, is also noteworthy in her role, though her character is not present, really, for the first half of the film.
Overall, The Pit is an excellent example of a horror film from the early 80s. It is a slow-burn horror that takes time to build before delivering the gruesome and shocking finale. While the pace of the film may feel sluggish at times, it is necessary to fully appreciate how deeply Jamie's psyche has been affected by the events that occur throughout the film.
The Pit was directed by Lew Lehman and written by Ian A. Stuart. The story is based on a novel by John Gault. The film was produced in Canada and has become a cult classic over the years. The production values are good for a low-budget horror film, and while the cinematography could be more inspired, it's competent.
In conclusion, The Pit is a must-see movie for horror fans who love a good story that is not entirely predictable. At its heart, The Pit is a character-driven horror movie that offers a unique take on the classic "boy meets monster" story. Whether you're a die-hard horror fan or a newcomer to the genre, The Pit is sure to leave an impression on you long after the credits roll.
The Pit is a 1981 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.