Deathtrap (film)

Deathtrap
Theatrical release poster by Bill Gold
Directed bySidney Lumet
Screenplay byJay Presson Allen
Based onDeathtrap
by Ira Levin
Produced byBurtt Harris
StarringMichael Caine
Christopher Reeve
Dyan Cannon
CinematographyAndrzej Bartkowiak
Edited byJack Fitzstephens
Music byJohnny Mandel
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release date
  • March 19, 1982 (1982-03-19)
Running time
116 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$10 million[1]
Box office$19 million

Deathtrap is a 1982 American black comedy suspense film based on the 1978 play of the same name by Ira Levin. It was directed by Sidney Lumet from a screenplay by Levin and Jay Presson Allen, and stars Michael Caine, Dyan Cannon and Christopher Reeve. Critics gave the film mostly favorable reviews while noting its plot similarities to Caine's 1972 film Sleuth.[2][3][4]

The film narrates the tale of a famous playwright, who has not had any hits in recent years. After his student entrusts him with the manuscript of a promising play, the writer tells his wife that if the student has not told anyone else about his play, he could kill the student and claim the manuscript as his own.

  1. ^ "Deathtrap (1982)". AFI Catalog.
  2. ^ Ebert, Roger (January 1, 1982). "Deathtrap". Chicago Sun-Times.
  3. ^ Maslin, Janet (March 19, 1982). "FILM: 'DEATHTRAP' WITH MICHAEL CAINE". The New York Times.
  4. ^ Arnold, Gary (March 18, 1982). "A Winning 'Deathtrap'". The Washington Post.