American Masters

Edgar Allan Poe: Buried Alive

Passport Season 31 Episode 8 | 1h 24m 3s

Best known for his Gothic horror tales and narrative poem “The Raven,” Poe’s stories are the basis of countless films and TV episodes, and have inspired even more, as has his name and image. Determined to re-invent American literature, Poe was an influential – and brutally honest – literary critic and magazine editor, who also invented the detective protagonist with his character C. Auguste Dupin.

Aired: 10/30/17

Expires: 10/29/21

Rating: NR

Video has closed captioning.

Buy Now:

Watch Preview

Problems Playing Video?

Closed Captioning

More Episodes

Video thumbnail: American Masters This Is Bob Hope...Passport

American Masters

This Is Bob Hope...

Explore the entertainer’s life with unprecedented access to his archives. Director's cut.

S31 Ep10 | 1h 52m 53s

This Is Bob Hope...

S31 Ep10 | 1h 52m 53s

Video thumbnail: American Masters Edgar Allan Poe: Buried AlivePassport

Now Showing

American Masters

Edgar Allan Poe: Buried Alive

See a new side of innovative writer Edgar Allan Poe, best known for Gothic horror tales.

S31 Ep8 | 1h 24m 3s

Edgar Allan Poe: Buried Alive

S31 Ep8 | 1h 24m 3s

Video thumbnail: American Masters Richard Linklater: Dream is DestinyPassport

American Masters

Richard Linklater: Dream is Destiny

Learn about Richard Linklater, the filmmaker behind Dazed and Confused, Boyhood, and more.

S31 Ep6 | 1h 23m 32s

Richard Linklater: Dream is Destiny

S31 Ep6 | 1h 23m 32s

Video thumbnail: American Masters Jacques Pépin: The Art of CraftPassport

American Masters

Jacques Pépin: The Art of Craft

Today he is known as a kitchen supernova, but Jacques Pépin's career began humbly.

S31 Ep5 | 53m 10s

Jacques Pépin: The Art of Craft

S31 Ep5 | 53m 10s

Video thumbnail: American Masters James Beard: America's First FoodiePassport

American Masters

James Beard: America's First Foodie

Today’s American food movement can be traced back to one man: James Beard.

S31 Ep4 | 53m 11s

James Beard: America's First Foodie

S31 Ep4 | 53m 11s

Video thumbnail: American Masters Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

American Masters

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

Dr. Maya Angelou was a singer, dancer, activist, poet and writer who inspired generations.

S31 Ep2 | 1h 53m 2s

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

S31 Ep2 | 1h 53m 2s

Video thumbnail: American Masters By Sidney LumetPassport

American Masters

By Sidney Lumet

With candor and grace, Sidney Lumet reveals what matters to him as an artist a human.

S31 Ep1 | 1h 46m 15s

By Sidney Lumet

S31 Ep1 | 1h 46m 15s

See All Episodes

Extras From This Episode

Video thumbnail: American Masters Mash-up: Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven"

American Masters

Mash-up: Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven"

Listen to a compilation of Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem "The Raven"

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 8m 13s

Mash-up: Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven"

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 8m 13s

Video thumbnail: American Masters The fake news behind Edgar Allan Poe's reputation

American Masters

The fake news behind Edgar Allan Poe's reputation

Rufus Griswold, Poe's rival, wrote the obituary that cast him as a lunatic and a madman.

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 2m 35s

The fake news behind Edgar Allan Poe's reputation

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 2m 35s

Video thumbnail: American Masters How Filmmaker Roger Corman brought Poe to the big screen

American Masters

How Filmmaker Roger Corman brought Poe to the big screen

Roger Corman discusses some of the challenges he faced in bringing Poe's stories to life.

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 45s

How Filmmaker Roger Corman brought Poe to the big screen

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 45s

Video thumbnail: American Masters Edgar Allan Poe: Buried Alive - Trailer

American Masters

Edgar Allan Poe: Buried Alive - Trailer

Discover the real story of the notorious author, starring Denis O’Hare as Edgar Allan Poe.

Preview: S31 Ep8 | 3m 5s

Edgar Allan Poe: Buried Alive - Trailer

Preview: S31 Ep8 | 3m 5s

Video thumbnail: American Masters Filmmaker Roger Corman's dream-like world of Edgar Allan Poe

American Masters

Filmmaker Roger Corman's dream-like world of Edgar Allan Poe

In adapting Poe's work for cinema, Roger Corman wanted to emphasize the unconscious mind.

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 3m 15s

Filmmaker Roger Corman's dream-like world of Edgar Allan Poe

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 3m 15s

Video thumbnail: American Masters Garrison Keillor reads Edgar Allan Poe's "Annabel Lee"

American Masters

Garrison Keillor reads Edgar Allan Poe's "Annabel Lee"

Author, radio host and American Master Garrison Keillor reads Edgar Allan Poe's "Annabel

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 2m 10s

Garrison Keillor reads Edgar Allan Poe's "Annabel Lee"

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 2m 10s

Video thumbnail: American Masters Denis O'Hare brings to life "The Man of the Crowd"

American Masters

Denis O'Hare brings to life "The Man of the Crowd"

"There are some secrets which do not permit themselves to be told..."

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 59s

Denis O'Hare brings to life "The Man of the Crowd"

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 59s

Video thumbnail: American Masters See inside the mind of a ranting and raving Edgar Allan Poe

American Masters

See inside the mind of a ranting and raving Edgar Allan Poe

Denis O'Hare embodies the caricature of a nervous, ranting and raving Poe.

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 34s

See inside the mind of a ranting and raving Edgar Allan Poe

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 34s

Video thumbnail: American Masters Filmmaker Roger Corman on "The Fall of the House of Usher"

American Masters

Filmmaker Roger Corman on "The Fall of the House of Usher"

Roger Corman's success making "The Fall of the House of Usher" led to a "cyle of Poe"

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 58s

Filmmaker Roger Corman on "The Fall of the House of Usher"

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 58s

Video thumbnail: American Masters The Deaths of the Women in Poe's Life

American Masters

The Deaths of the Women in Poe's Life

Throughout his life, Edgar Allan Poe lost most of the women he loved.

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 1m 53s

The Deaths of the Women in Poe's Life

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 1m 53s

Video thumbnail: American Masters The story of Wally Coberg

American Masters

The story of Wally Coberg

Filmmaker Eric Stange tells the story of Wally Coberg.

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 4m 46s

The story of Wally Coberg

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 4m 46s

Video thumbnail: American Masters Experience Poe's dramatic readings of "The Raven"

American Masters

Experience Poe's dramatic readings of "The Raven"

After Poe released "The Raven," he became famous for his dramatic readings of the poem.

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 3m 1s

Experience Poe's dramatic readings of "The Raven"

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 3m 1s

Video thumbnail: American Masters Behind the scenes of "Edgar Allan Poe: Buried Alive"

American Masters

Behind the scenes of "Edgar Allan Poe: Buried Alive"

Actor Denis O'Hare and American Masters Executive Producer Michael Kantor discuss the film

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 2m

Behind the scenes of "Edgar Allan Poe: Buried Alive"

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 2m

Video thumbnail: American Masters Denis O'Hare on Becoming Poe

American Masters

Denis O'Hare on Becoming Poe

Denis O'Hare discusses preparing for the role of Edgar Allan Poe.

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 1m 39s

Denis O'Hare on Becoming Poe

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 1m 39s

Video thumbnail: American Masters Edgar Allan Poe: The Five Biggest Myths About Poe

American Masters

Edgar Allan Poe: The Five Biggest Myths About Poe

How well do you know Edgar Allan Poe? See if you can separate fact from fiction.

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 2m 6s

Edgar Allan Poe: The Five Biggest Myths About Poe

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 2m 6s

Video thumbnail: American Masters Hear the story of Edgar Allan Poe's only novel

American Masters

Hear the story of Edgar Allan Poe's only novel

Edgar Allan Poe's only novel was not well received and is still debated today.

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 2m

Hear the story of Edgar Allan Poe's only novel

Clip: S31 Ep8 | 2m

See All
#InspiringWomanPBS

Watch & Share Your Story

#InspiringWomanPBS

Watch & Share

You Might Also Like

American Experience
The Dictator's Playbook
Secrets of the Dead
Victoria & Albert: The Wedding
Margaret: The Rebel Princess
The Vietnam War | Broadcast Version