The Pit

Rejection, alienation, and a lack of understanding permeate young Jamie’s existence, contributing to a process of psychosocial alienation that gives rise to imaginary friends and a pathological sexuality. On that front, Lew Lehman’s one and only film is marked by a truly effective and unsettling first reel which allows us to take in and savor typical dark fantasy elements, first and foremost the woods with its bizarre creatures.

Unfortunately, the film runs off the rails in its final half hour as the narrative focus shifts to a pointless and grotesque monster hunt, and the young protagonist’s story gets completely lost in the shuffle (the blame may lie in changes the director made to Ian A. Stuart’s screenplay).

The special effects are rather unsophisticated (the creatures look like distant cousins of the Morlocks from “The Time Machine” – 1960). Sammy Snyders, though, pulls off the challenging protagonist role with aplomb.

Despite its imperfections, “The Pit” remains an offbeat and interesting film well worth at least one viewing.