This is a good adaptation of the Poe story because it does not rely on big budget techniques. It is a short, black and white film, and the only performer of any name in the film is the excellent Sam Jaffe, best known for his roles in GUNGA DIN and THE ASPHALT JUNGLE. It is extremely suspenseful and is arguably the best film version of the story ever done. It also contains an excellent and appropriate musical score by the brilliant Elmer Bernstein, whose works range from comedies such as ANIMAL HOUSE, AIRPLANE! and WILD WILD WEST, to such incredible films as THE TEN COMMANDMENTS and THE GREAT ESCAPE.