Customer Reviews

Deathtrap [VHS]

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When DEATHTRAP was first released, the poster--reproduced on the cover of this DVD--offered a graphic akin to a Rubik's Cube. It is an appropriate image: originally written for the stage by Ira Levin, who authored such memorable works as ROSEMARY'S BABY and THE STEPFORD WIVES, the play was one of Broadway's most famous twisters, and under Sidney Lumet's direction it translates to the screen extremely well.

DEATHTRAP is one of those films that it is very difficult to discuss, for to do so in any detail gives away the very plot for which it is famous. But the opening premise is extremely clever: Sidney Bruhl (Michael Caine) is the famous author of mystery plays, but these days he seems to have lost his touch. After a particularly brutal opening night, an old student named Clifford Anderson (Christopher Reeve) sends him a script for a play he has written. It is called "Deathtrap," and Sidney recognizes it as a surefire hit. Just the sort of hit that would revive his career... indeed, a hit to die for. And when Clifford visits to discuss the play, events suddenly begin to twist in the most unexpected manner possible.

Like Anthony Shaffer's equally twisty SLEUTH, DEATHTRAP is really a story more at home on the stage than the screen--to reach full power it needs the immediacy that a live performance offers. Still, under the expert guidance of director Sidney Lumet, it makes a more-than-respectable showing on the screen. Much of this is due to the cast, which is remarkably fine. Michael Caine gives a truly brilliant performance, Dyan Cannon is funny and endearing as Sidney's relentlessly anxious wife, and Christopher Reeve gives what might be the single finest performance in his regrettably short acting career. If you can't see it in a first-rate theatrical production, this will more than do until one comes along.

Unfortunately, the DVD does not offer the film in its original ratio--it's pan and scan here, and that's a clear strike against the DVD so far as I'm concerned. And sadly, although this is an ideal subject for them, there are no bonuses of any kind. But even so it is DEATHTRAP, and it is DEATHTRAP very expertly done, the perfect movie to curl up with on a dark and stormy night. Keep the lights on!

--GFT (Amazon Reviewer)--

I first saw DEATHTRAP on television well over ten years ago and it has stuck with me ever since. I finally purchased the DVD to give it another go and came away almost as pleased.

Caine gives his usual wonderful performance as a playwright who has run out of hits and Reeve is better than I've ever seen him, before or since, as an aspiring playwright seeking Caine's guidance. Cannon is irritating as Caine's wife, but she's supposed to be, so I do not feel that her performance weakens the piece at all.

The Plot: Reeve approaches Caine with his first attempt at a play, seeking his idol's criticism. Caine finds the play to be incredible, a surefire hit, and, desperate for such a hit for himself, begins scheming (as only Michael Caine can scheme) ways to get Reeve out of the picture and claim the play, DEATHTRAP, as his own. From this point the picture starts on a rollercoaster ride that doesn't let up until the end. Fiction and reality cross and blur again and again making for a delightfully dark comedic thriller.

My only real criticism of DEATHTRAP is its similarity to SLEUTH, another great twisted thriller also starring Michael Caine. While both films on their own are incredible, fans of SLEUTH may find DEATHTRAP a bit less satisfying - there simply aren't as many surprises. But this is certainly not a reason to avoid this film, as it is a genuine treasure.

The DVD has a minimum of features - no trailer, just a chapter search selection (which is more than SLEUTH had!) and, unfortunately, the film is presented full-screen as opposed to widescreen. This did not bother me as the entire film has a claustrophobic feel to it as the action generally occurs in close quarters. Still, if the film was originally widescreen, I'd rather see the director's original vision. And speaking of direction, Lumet was marvelous as usual. After all, in the film itself, DEATHTRAP is described as a play "so good, even a gifted director couldn't hurt it." And at the bargain price this is one DVD you should snatch up right away.

I first saw "Deathtrap" in the theater when it came out in 1982. When VCRs became big, it was a film that I rented a few times, eventually buying my own VHS copy. Now I own the DVD. It's a great film.

The plot can't really be discussed here without depriving first-time viewers the opportunity of experiencing all the unexpected twists and turns for themselves. And there are twists and turns aplenty!

Christopher Reeve does a great job of breaking his "Superman" stereotype in this, his first post-Superman role. Reeve plays a homosexual playwright who's just written a sure-fire hit Broadway show, and Michael Caine plays a once-successful playwright, Reeve's mentor, who'd kill to have another hit. From this inauspicious beginning, the twists start coming fast and furious, and are a delight to watch.

If you've never seen "Deathtrap" you can still safely buy it sight unseen; I guarantee you'll enjoy it. Or maybe you saw the film years ago and want to see it again. Either way, I recommend picking yourself up a copy. You won't regret it.

---and even if you don't feel like "detecting," stick around and savor this tightly written romp of a comedy. "Deathtrap" is about as near as you can come to a Broadway play without being there.

Over the hill playwright, Sidney, (Michael Caine) is blocked. He is despondent over his last three miserable failures. His wealthy, clingy wife, Myra (Dyan Cannon) adores him and his plays. Enter fledgling author, Clifford (Christopher Reeves) who, it just so happens, has written a bullet-proof play and is flattered that successful Sidney is willing to look it over.

Michael Caine clearly has a glorious time playing stuffy, self-loving Sidney, and Christopher Reeve shows a guileful side not seen before. I'll take exception to other reviewers by saying Dyan Cannon cracked me up as the all-too-doting, somewhat sex starved wife. She also could give Jamie Lee Curtis a run for her title as the "Scream Queen." Ms. Cannon can rock the rafters!

Have a group of friends over and enjoy. Remember: don't give away the plot!
-sweetmolly-Amazon Reviewer

Pooh on you Leonard Maltin. "Deathtrap" is a movie rich in texture and plot. Although the film features three "big name" stars (which can often be distracting), the viewer still finds himself immersed in the film's characters. Plot twist follows plot twist, rushing toward an unexpected ending ripe with tension. Michael Caine was in some clunkers during this period; this is not one of them. An effectively irritating performance by Dyan Cannon, and Christopher Reeve in an unusual character perforance. Treat yourself to this film -- you won't regret it!!

It's difficult to review a mystery without spoiling the plot for viewers who haven't already seen it, but this one has so many twists and turns I can safely outline the set-up without ruining the fun.

Michael Caine plays a playwright of fading talents who is despondent after yet another failed opening night. Dyan Cannon plays the archetypal nervous wife, trying to console and encourage him without making him feel worse about his successive failures.

Caine's character receives a brilliant manuscript in the mail from a former seminar student (Christopher Reeve) who is completely unknown to the world and Caine begins to fantasize about stealing the play and producing it as his own. And then the fun ensues....

The best thing about this film is the brilliance of Michael Caine. His sense of timing and comic delivery are on display here and while I didn't expect to enjoy the film for a variety of reasons, his character had me laughing constantly.

The worst thing about this film-and the reason the price is so low-is that it's only presented in Pan & Scan. The film deserves a full DVD treatment, complete with special features and the widescreen format.

As a big big fan of mysteries written, performed, and filmed, I would have to say that this is one of the best I've ever seen! The twists and turns of the plotting are so outrageous that you'll never see them coming, and having seen them once, you'll want to see them over and over again. Despite one rather disturbing kissing scene (you'll understand after watching), the movie should be considered to be one of the best of its genre ever filmed. I would also recommend Murder by Death, Clue, and Sleuth (also starring Michael Caine, though in a much different role) as potential accompanying material for the ultimate murder mystery/ comedy movie night. Sit back, watch & enjoy! Oh, and be sure you can trust whomever you're watching with ;)

Deathtrap is a truly underrated thriller. While it starts off slow considering most audience standards, it quickly dissolves into a clever, suspenseful, and ingenious comedy thriller. While the first act fares better than the second, the film is fun throughout, taking the audience on a ride of "Who is working against whom and why?" While not always surprising, it's an engrossing little puzzle to try and figure out, and the climax is a suspenseful nail biter. Ira Levin has brought us some true classics (The Stepford Wives, Rosemary's Baby) and this should be among them. It is a twisted good time. Highly recommended to mystery fans.

Clifford Anderson (Christopher Reeve) is a budding writer who has just completed his first play "Deathtrap". He takes his manuscript to the house of established playwright Sidney Bruhl (Michael Caine) to get his valued opinion. Bruhl thinks that the play could be a winner but doesn't let Anderson know this as he wants to get a part of it for himself as his latest play has just flopped and been savaged by the critics. Bruhl is going through a dry patch and can't come up with any new ideas and sees "Deathtrap" as a way of making some big money and offers Anderson the benefit of his expertise by helping him finish the play and polish it up and they can then form a partnership. Anderson thanks Bruhl for his advice but says he prefers to keep the play himself as he had put a lot of work into it and while he appreciates Bruhl's offer of help he wants to leave the play as it is. Bruhl realises the young writer is not going to co-operate so he has to think up an alternative plan. Will he murder Anderson and then claim the play is his or will he just let him walk away? Bruhl's wife Myra (Dyan Cannon) knows her husband is desperate and is capable of murder so she does everything she can to talk him out of any criminal intentions and to let Anderson go. What happens next is totally unexpected and shock follows shock in the amazing plot twists that follow. Further complications occur when next door neighbour Helga Ten Dorp (Irene Worth) calls at the house as she is a psychic and is fearful that something terrible has happened (or is about to happen) in that house. She wanders around the room uninvited (much to the horror of the Bruhls) touching various objects and receiving vibrations which gives her clues as she puts together her thoughts and conclusions.

Some favourite lines from the film:

Dyan Cannon (to Michael Caine): "I think that you're thinking that after last night you actually would kill to have another hit play".

Caine (to Cannon): "Do you know know what this play would net its author in today's market? Between 3 and 5 million dollars . . . . now if that isn't a thinking man's motive for murder I don't know what is".

Caine (to Cannon): "I do believe that you two thought I was going to take that mace and do a Vincent Price didn't you?".

Caine (to Christopher Reeve): "Here we are Clifford, uncuff yourself. 'Deathtrap' is promising - but it's not that promising".

"Deathtrap" was directed by Sidney Lumet who was responsible for "12 Angry Men", "Murder on the Orient Express", "Serpico" and many other marvellous classic films. Lumet is on my personal list of "Top Ten Favourite Directors of all time". Clive Roberts.

..Or come to think of it, it's not really a "who-dun-it" but a "who-dun-whom-first". One of those little hidden masterpieces of film-making!

The theme can be summarized quite simply -- a dramatic semi-comedy about a playwright (Chris Reeves) trying to figure out how to keep his head above water after ideas run dry. But the simplicity pretty much ends there. The plot has a bunch of delectable twists until the finale, which is no less of a surprise itself. The acting is top-notch, Caine and Reeves are, well, Caine and Reeves -- marvellous talents.

A word may be said for the DVD. The transfer of this classic mystery is quite amazing, if the cover didn't tell me this was 1982 I could easily have thought this is a recent movie.

An absolute treat in every sense!