The Trap (1985 film)

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The Trap
Italian theatrical release poster
Directed byGiuseppe Patroni Griffi
Screenplay by
Story byFrancesco Barilli[1]
Produced byJuan L. Isasi
Ettore Spagnuolo
Starring
CinematographyJuan Amorós
Hans Burman
Edited bySergio Montanari
Music byEnnio Morricone
Release date
  • September 12, 1985 (1985-09-12)
Running time
97 minutes
Countries
LanguageItalian

The Trap (Italian: La Gabbia) is a 1985 film directed by Giuseppe Patroni Griffi and starring Tony Musante, Laura Antonelli, and Florinda Bolkan.[2]

Famed Italian horror director Lucio Fulci contributed to the screenplay (this film was done during the time Fulci was recovering from hepatitis, so he was unable to direct it).

Plot

Michael Parker is a successful American businessman living in Italy with his girlfriend Hélène. However, when she leaves on vacation, Michael soon becomes involved in an affair with Marie, a woman he once had a fling with. This affair proves more difficult for Michael, as Marie is not going to let him off the hook again so easily. To complicate matters worse, Marie's young daughter Jacqueline also finds herself attracted to Michael, resulting in a love triangle.

Cast

Production

The film is based on a story called ""L'Occhio" (lit. 'The Eye') written by filmmaker Francesco Barilli.[2] Barilli intended to make the film himself, but had trouble securing backing and balked at the producers wanting Shelley Winters in the lead role. So he sold the idea to Patroni Griffi and let him produce and direct it, retitling it The Trap. Barilli said of the finished product "Lets' talk frankly here, that movie sucks...." and Fulci even used profanity alluding to his opinion of Patroni Griffi, who he felt stole his chance to direct the film.[3]

Fulci had fell ill due to a viral hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver by the end of 1984 and was unable to make the film. He later directed a similar film titled The Devil's Honey a few months after.[4]

Release and reception

La Gabbia was released on September 12 in Milan and Tornio and the next day in Genova and Rome.[5] In Spain, the film was released as La jaula. It as released on home video in the United Kingdom as The Trap and in the United States as Collector's Item.[1]

The film received unenthusiastic reviews in Paese Sera, L'Unita, Il Giorno and Il Giornale Nuovo.[5]

See also

References

  1. Thrower 2018, p. 387.
  2. Howarth 2015, p. 61.
  3. Howarth 2015, p. 63.
  4. Thrower 2018, p. 343.
  5. Giornale delle spettacolo 1985, p. 12.

Sources

  • "Programmazioni cinematografiche nella Satgione 1985-1986". Giornale delle spettacolo (in Italian). Vol. XLI, no. 3. September 20, 1985.
  • Howarth, Troy (2015). Splintered Visions: Lucio Fulci and his Films. Midnight Marquee Press.
  • Thrower, Stephen (2018) [May 1999]. Beyond Terror: The Films of Lucio Fulci (Revised & Expanded Second ed.). England, United Kingdom: Fab Press (published February 2018). ISBN 978-1-903254-90-5.