because it a new version of a classic horror movie ( and it go directly to video ) and i have be put off watch stuart gordon take on edgar allen poe classic story and but after finally catch it while i can honestly say that i do not know why i do not see it earlier . while the roger corman or vincent price version of the tale be far good and this update still have a lot in store for the horror fan and most notably it superb european style atmosphere and and a fine performance by lance henriksen and which may even be the best of his career . while these element be contributor to the film success and the main reason why the film work be the story behind it . of course and it base ( albeit loosely ) on poe classic tale and so the story be bind to be solid while but it doesn not take all of it influence from poe and and so dennis paoli can take a lot of credit for the screenplay he write for the movie . the idea of the pendulum and along with a pit can conjure up many feeling of dread and pain and and this film adequately capitalise on that with it excellent torture fill finale . a mentioned and lance henriksen give what be maybe his best performance in this film . he be both powerful and frighten in his role a torquemada and the head witchfinder of the spanish inquisition . when he say i be the inquisition and it enough to make your hair stand on end . henriksen be a criminally underrated actor and one that certainly deserve more praise . it just unfortunate that he tend to shine in movie that do not get notice . also in the cast be re animator himself and jeffrey comb and who shin in a small role a someone in the inquisition . the film isn not wholly serious and and stuart gordon have see fit to add some comic relief to the proceeding and which be ok but i feel that the movie would be good off without any relief . certain element from other poe story appear and such a a man be bricked in behind a wall and and this film seem to treat it subject material with respect . the european horror style be a major plus factor in my opinion and and should please fan of movie from the sixty and seventy . on the whole while surprisingly good .