The Trap (1985 film)

The Trap
Italian theatrical release poster
Directed byGiuseppe Patroni Griffi
Screenplay byLucio Fulci
Concha Hombria
Roberto Leoni
Alberto Silvestri
Story byFrancesco Barilli
Produced byJuan L. Isasi
Ettore Spagnuolo
StarringLaura Antonelli
Tony Musante
Florinda Bolkan
CinematographyJuan Amorós
Hans Burman
Edited bySergio Montanari
Music byEnnio Morricone
Release date
  • 11 September 1985 (1985-09-11) (Italy)
Running time
97 minutes
CountryItaly/Spain
LanguageItalian

The Trap (Italian: La Gabbia), also known as Collector's Item, Dead Fright and The Cage,[1] is a 1985 erotic thriller directed by Giuseppe Patroni Griffi (his last theatrical film), 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).

The film is based on a story called "L'Occhio" ("The Eye"), written by filmmaker Francesco Barilli.[3] 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.[4]

  1. ^ Williams, Kari (2015). "La Gabbia (1985) – Review Summary". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  2. ^ Howarth, Troy (2015). "Splintered Visions: Lucio Fulci and his Films". Midnight Marquee Press. Page 61
  3. ^ Howarth, Troy (2015). "Splintered Visions: Lucio Fulci and his Films". Midnight Marquee Press. Page 61
  4. ^ Howarth, Troy (2015). "Splintered Visions: Lucio Fulci and his Films". Midnight Marquee Press. Page 63