The Inquisitor

Full Moon pictures deliver a treat for horror fans with the release of Stuart Gordon's 'The Inquisitor' - which has been packaged and released on DVD as 'The Pit & the Pendulum'

Based on the classic short story by Edgar Allen Poe, the film follows the insanely corrupt shenanigans of Grand Inquisitor Torquemada (played brilliantly by Lance Henriksen) and a poor baker and his wife who get sucked unwittingly into the witchcraft scenario.

Stuart Gordon once again delivers the goods with another belter of a movie. Grade 'A' quality all the way with not only an excellent plot reminiscent of the old Hammer movies (and more so Mark of the Devil) - exciting, scary and fun - but brilliantly casted with an excellent array of characters on show. Gordon-movie stalwart Jeffrey Combs makes an appearance as the scribe who makes up an amusing three stooges like trio. There's a brief appearance by the late Oliver Reed as a drunken emissary of the pope. Henriksen's portayal of the Inquisitor is first class and Rona de Ricci (as the baker's wife Maria) is not only enthralling but she also looks uncannily like Jessica Harper in Suspiria (check it out!!)

So, obviously I loved this movie - a real surprise! But what about the disc itself? Not bad at all, the print is nice and crisp with a 'ultra-stereo' soundtrack and the presentation is full screen.

Extras-wise, there's the usual cast/crew biographies (which are nicely done), trailer and Full Moon promotional stuff. There is also a Full Moon 'Videozone' Video Mag on there too, which includes some really cool stuff - behind the scenes of the movie, outakes, bloopers etc and some other Full Moon trailers.

All round, this release is well worth parting a few bucks for. Great value and great entertainment. Nice one !!