Sammy Snyders

Jeannie Elias

Sonja Smits

Laura Press

Laura Hollingsworth

Richard Alden

Andrea Swartz

John Auten

Paul Grisham

Wendy Schmidt

Edith Bedker

Lillian Graham

Gerard Jordan

Cindy Auten

Patrick Patterson

Roger Van Haren

John Stoneham Sr.

J.R. Zimmerman

Sandy Kovack

Jennifer Lehman

John C. Bassett

Harris Kal

Alison McCuaig

John F. Bassett

Lew Lehman

Bennet Fode

Karen Hazzard

Victor Davies

Rik Morden

Manfred Guthe

Colleen Allison

Britanny Burr

Paul Coombe

John Kelly

John P. Megill

Anna Carr

Mike Hoogenboom

Richard Kelly

Michael LaCroix

Peter E. Stone

Ian A. Stuart

Horror

Mystery

Thriller

Comedy

The Pit

Amulet Pictures

Canada

English

**_Surprisingly good cult flick shot in rural Wisconsin_**

In a town northwest of Milwaukee an outcast boy uses his imagination to cope (Sammy Snyders). When his parents go out of town they hire the umpteenth caregiver, a young woman from the local college (Jeannie Elias). The kid tries to convince her of a pit he’s discovered in the woods where meat-eating beasts dwell. Are these creatures real or simply his imagination?

"The Pit" (1981) is an obscure cult flick that meshes coming-of-age, psychological drama, black comedy and horror. It’s quite original with no predecessor, although it has bits of “The Child” (1977) and “Magic” (1978). It would influence future flicks like “Gremlins” (1984), “The Gate” (1987), “Blood Harvest” (1987) and, especially, “Pin” (1988).

The film only cost $1 million in 1980 yet, despite the limited production values, it delivers the goods as it successfully brings the viewer into the creative world of Jamie, the harassed protagonist. You understand his imaginary relationship with Teddy and his developing feelings for Sandy, as well as his angst toward his persecutors. Moreover, the story keeps you guessing about where it’s going.      

The original script was written by Ian A. Stuart, but director Lew Lehman made some wise changes, like making the boy 12 years-old, rather than 8-9, not to mention adding bits of black humor.	

Besides the lovely Jeannie Elias, the female cast includes Sonja Smits (teacher), Laura Hollingsworth (librarian) and Wendy Schmidt (Christina). 

The film runs 1 hour, 36 minutes, and was shot in Wisconsin at Beaver Dam (town) and Waupun to the north (pit scenes), with the football scenes done in Oshkosh, further north. All of these areas are located northwest of Milwaukee, an hour or two away by car. Meanwhile the interiors of the pit with the tra-la-logs were done in the studio in Toronto.

GRADE: B+/A-

The Pit - Official Trailer (Re-release)

The Pit

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Актёрский состав 23:

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