User reviews

Like many other reviewers I remember this film from the late 60's on late night tv. It was the era of kung fu films and blaxploitation movies which we all watched avidly. Films like 'the Trap' held no interest for us but it held our attention and fascination in an absorbing way. The slowly changing relationship between the trapper and his mute wife/slave transfixed us in its humanity and fragility. The story centres around these two mismatched ndividuals, both handicapped in their own way as they struggle to make a life together in the canadian wilderness. From initial brutality to tolerance to interdependence and finally the eventual outcome at the end. Both Reed and Tushingham give strong performances here, especially Oliver. When he wasnt getting soaked he could turn out some amazing work.Sadly he is no longer with us and is no doubt propping up another bar somewhere in shakespeares heaven.He will be missed. I hope they repeat this on tv or release it on video again soon.It is a truly outstanding work.

Interesting Western based on a story and screenplay by David Osborn . A fur trapper nicknamed La Bete or The beast (Oliver Reed) arrives in a Canadian village after three winters in the snow ; having missing annual auction , he takes a mute girl (Rita Tusingham who does not utter a single word in the entire film) as his unwilling wife to live with him in his remote cabin in the woods . The picture narrates the odyssey of an adventurer that dreary of civilization lives in nature becoming into mountain man , a young who is part of the wildlife of the landscape , he is an expert hunter who shoots efficiently his preys and turning into a feared new myth named ¨La Bete¨ . Meanwhile , the girl early develops his senses from his first feeble and failed attempts at survival to become a skillful trapper .

Solid frontier western with exciting events , violent fights , emotions , thrills and spectacular outdoors . From the initiation until the final are proceeded continuous battles against nature and a survival fighting versus wintry wilderness , savage Indians , wildlife such as wolves and bear , among others . The story is a crossover of various films , the battle against nature of ¨Adventures of Jeremiah Johnson¨ and ¨Man of a wilderness land¨ along with ¨Taming of the shrew¨ theme , as well as the obstinacy and stubbornness of a misfit couple who discusses and contends with no rest . The magnificent cast is starred by an excellent Oliver Reed , a simple , brute man with violent tendencies and Rita Tushingam who plays a perfect role as an agreeable and sensitive mute young girl . Splendid cinematography in Panavision and glimmer color by Robert Krasker (expert cameraman on super-productions as The Cid , Fall of Roman Empire , Heroes of Telemark and The third man) as is reflected on spectacular outdoors filmed in sighting , rousing natural parks and filmed on location in Bowen Island, British Columbia, Canada (village) , Hollyburn Film Studios, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and Pinewood Studios, England . However , being necessary a right remastering because of the film-copy is washed-out . Special mention to a lively and evocative musical score by Ron Goodwin , the piece of music used as Oliver Reed canoes down river is now used by UK broadcaster The BBC for its coverage of The London Marathon.

The motion picture was professionally directed by Sidney Hayers . He entered cinema world in the early 1940s and began his directing career with ¨Violent Moment¨ in 1958 and carried out second-unit directing labors on epic films like ¨A night to remember¨ (1958) and ¨A bridge too far¨(1977). The journeyman director's roster of credits also includes episodic TV on both sides of the Atlantic , a multitude of TV movies and episodes such as A team , Baywatch , Knight Rider , T.J. Hooker , Hunter , Remington Steele , Magnum P.I . Furthermore , he directed acceptable films such as ¨Night of eagle¨, ¨Circus of horrors¨, ¨Assault¨ , ¨Finders keepers¨, ¨The Southern star¨ and of course ¨The trappers¨ .

I fell in love with Oliver Reed when I was a mere a slip of a girl. That's what this movie is -- a teenage fantasy. Performances are great for the era and the script. Surprisingly NOT overdone, though it's a melodrama to beat all melodramas. Pretty neat that most of the action is centered around only two people - scenes with others in them are only at the beginning and end - and the two carry it off quite well - the action holds. Rita Tushingham did a fine job without ever saying a word. That's acting. Tough to write "dialogue" for Reed to get the story out - and his own back story - when the person he's talking to never speaks to move the narrative along. The scriptwriters handled it pretty well during the time they spend alone in the wild. Oliver Reed, hairy and covered in skins, was as masculine a hunk of man needing domestication as any young girl could ask for. Too bad he made lots of bad movie choices (perhaps because that's what he was offered -- being a difficult actor), because he was delightfully bad-boy gorgeous and had incredible chemistry on camera. (Sighhhh)

I saw this movie one late night on TV in the early 70's while living in NYC. The image of Eve and Jean La Bete discovering themselves set against the Northwest wilderness never left me. Over the years this movie kept creeping back into my head like few other movies have. It is not the best produced movie ever made, but it tells a story that is unique, simple and compelling. Reed brings a "bull in the china-shop" masculinity to the character Jean La Bete that at first conflicts with, but then blends with the very subtle beauty and inner strength of Eve, played perfectly and silently by Rita Tushingham. (Tushingham also plays the adult daughter of Laura and Dr. Zhivago in Dr. Zhivago.) I didn't see "The Trap" again until a few years ago when I came across a cheap used copy online. This is a very unusual love story. "The Trap" might catch you like it did me years ago.

Having been lucky enough to find this movie in a box of thrown away tapes (actually among about 30 thrown out at a dump sight I work at, and they are in excellent condition!!!) I have just watched it (twice) over the weekend. I am like most people who have reported on "The Trap", I loved it and remembered it from probably 35 years ago, and always wanted to see it again. I was so glad to be able to watch it again and will definitely keep the movie.

The thing that no one else has mentioned but I think I saw in the movie was how much Jean cared for his mother as he mentioned her several times, often sang the song that she taught him and even from the start respected Eve as a woman. Here was a lonely Quebecois trapper, with no social skills, who had not been with a woman in years, paid $1000 (I would imagine like $500,000 today) for what he expected a wife would give him. He was much bigger that Eve in height and weight and could have easily over-powered her, even when she held a hatchet or knife ... but he still respected her fears.

I wish this movie could have continued for another half an hour so we could have seen what being together as a couple could have brought them. As far as visual effects, etc. for a film made in 1966 I think it was done exceptionally well. Someone mentioned that the "bad natives" were portrayed by white actors and the good by real native people ... I am sure a sign of the times. I am sure I saw a cameo of Chief Dan George at the start ... I must look into this.

This is the first review of a movie I have ever made ... hope it was okay.

A ship arrives in 19th century Vancouver bringing a cargo of women. Eve (Rita Tushingham) is a mute local orphan whose family was massacred by Indians. Rough fur trapper Jean La Bête (Oliver Reed) arrives with a canoe filled with furs. He tries to buy a woman and fails. He had left a large sum of money with the local Trader but the Trader had spent all of it when he received misinformed news of Jean's death. He is forced to return the money to Jean out of his own funds which leaves him bankrupt. The Trader's wife offers to sell the virginal Eve to Jean.

It's a functional romance despite the obvious problematic issues. The movie was released at another era and it depicts a completely different century. I'm willing to buy into it which allows me to accept Jean's brutishness. It's a little awkward but it doesn't go completely over the line. I would like Jean to change a bit more to appeal to Eve. I also would like him whole. His disability allows for some less appealing interpretation with her motives. I don't want her pity. Their relationship is complicated enough. She needs to truly love him for the sake of the story. A more modern movie would smooth out some of Jean's rough edges to be more appealing.

I've seen this movie only twice. Once when it first hit commercial television, and again about 15 years ago, and it is unforgettable. It's great to see I'm not alone in my appreciation. I think it's a classic . . . . a "must see" for anyone who considers themselves a cinefile.

The two leads, Tushingham and Reed, are at the height of their powers and both give brilliant performances. (no hyperbole) The story is well conceived, well developed and executed to perfection. It holds together. The movie is a little gem.

Considering when it was made, the budget it was made under, and the politics of the time, (you couldn't find "real" Native American's in the actors union), it is an extraordinary work.

To criticize this movie for using an Italian "Indian" is like dismissing "Saving Private Ryan" because of a half-dozen glaring continuity errors. It means you've missed the point. Close your mind and open your heart. You will be rewarded for watching it, if in no other way than to witness, deeply and completely, the archetypes of what the masculine and feminine essences are in the universe.

Tushingham (Eve) IS the frightened rabbit that Reed (Jean) says she is. She has been torn from civilization to witness all manner of horrors of life in the wilderness. And what can be said of Reeds LaBete? Even those who laud this actors genius underestimate him.

While we're on the subject, how is it possible that during the Acadamy Awards Ceremony, when Reed's last movie "Gladiator" won BEST PICTURE, that he was overlooked when they did their eulogizing segment on those important figures who had passed away during the previous year? Conspicuous and tragic was his omission from that roster.

Do yourself a favor. See "The Trap". And then . . . . see it again.

8

I saw this movie on TV when I was probably about 11 years old (35 years ago!)--and I still remember it very well. There was a local station which, for one solid week, aired it every day--and I watched it every single day! Unfortunately, I haven't seen it since and I don't think it's available on VHS but I remember it being visually beautiful and plot-wise, simply spellbinding, full of action, poignancy and suspense. Rita Tushingham and Oliver Reed are amazing in this. It's such a shame that no one aside from real film buffs have ever heard of this movie. It's a little lost gem that seems to have gotten buried somewhere in the Canadian snow--but if you ever get a chance to see it, please do!! It'll be time well spent.

Watching "The Trap" was reminiscent of "Tarzan the Ape man". Especially the part when Tarzan first discovers Jane. The wild man, brutish, loud, uncivilized. Yet, surprisingly so, respects the resistance of his bought, mute wife when she refuses his sexual advances. The film is highly enjoyable. It is suitable for viewing by all ages as there is no nudity or explicit simulated sex scenes. No blasphemous or vulgar language. The developing relationship between the wild man and the mute girl is well worth watching even if a little predictable. The principals perform superbly. Well worth a watch and adding to your film library.

One of the greatest British Movies ever made, and most certainly was the peak of Rita Tushingham's outstanding film career.

Oliver Reed was terribly underrated as an actor, and this Movie goes to prove along with several others he made during the sixties that he was in fact one of Britain's finest actors.

This film and story keeps you gripped with both suspense and emotion from start to finish - they don't make them like that anymore...

It seems inconceivable that we are still awaiting the DVD release of this Movie and it is as rare as diamonds to find on Video which was available for only a short time in the mid nineties.

Do not ever miss the opportunity to see this film if you get the chance - the story leaves you haunted from the stark atmosphere in which it is told.

Tremendous performances from Oliver Reed, Rita Tushingham and Barbara Chilcott - not to be missed.

Simply magnificent!

"La Bête" (Oliver Reed) is a fur trapper, eking out a living in the wilderness of British Columbia. He travels to the trading post once a year to trade his pelts and hopefully buy himself a wife. Eligible women are something of a rare thing this far North so when he is offered the chance to swap his gold for the young mute, Rita Tushingham, he doesn't think twice and off they head back to his log cabin. She is a fiercely independent girl, and no push over for this larger-than-life bully, but the two must learn to co-exist of they are not to freeze/starve to death. Returning from a hunting expedition, he is attacked by wolves (the best, most intense photography of the film) and only just survives thanks to her intervention and we sense a thaw setting in... This is really a three hander - Reed, Tushingham and their hostile environment; and all three play well with a superb theme from Ron Goodwin (that many Brits will recognise if they watch another test of human endurance on the telly - The London Marathon). The cinematography of the wintery scenes and generally wild scenery is breathtaking and makes their battle of wills and their somewhat unusual love story - not in the least romantic - all the more enjoyable to watch. What dialogue there is, is unimportant - this is about acting and imagery, and it works really well.

--- mild spoilers ---

this British adventure film tells a heart-wrenching love story by combining a classic erotic fantasy with a realistic depiction of the hard life in the 19th century Canadian wilderness. The show-piece of the film is the wolf attack. It is brilliantly filmed, with the camera moving on and on through the dark snow-covered wood, while the starving beasts relentlessly try to snap at the wounded trapper. Actually, these are no wolfs but German shepherds, but the whole thing was so damn frightening that I completely forgot that this film is forty years old. Oliver Reed and Rita Tushingham are two great actors and make a wonderful couple in this film. I loved the last line delivered by Reed to Tushingham.

Only one thing I have to criticize: the two roguish native Americans are played by western actors with wigs. Looks very cheap by modern standards.

"The Trap" seems to be a lost classic. I had never heard or read of it until it aired on German television last week under the title "Wie ein Schrei I'm Wind". Then I found out that both of my parents had seen it decades ago and were so impressed by it that they never forgot it.

I am frankly surprised by all the 9 and 10 star reviews here. Seems many people saw this when they were young and it made a big impression.

The cinematography IS lovely and the locations stunning.

The acting by Tushingham and Reed IS extraordinary and carries the film.

But the story struck me as contrived, and unconvincing, especially the denouement. Despite the great acting, I could never quite believe the actions of the main characters.

I remembered this film from my youth - I only saw it once in the cinema, and when A & E carried it on their movie line-up a couple of years ago it brought back all those feelings that I had for this particular film. What a story. I love the characters, especially Oliver Reed - who really fills almost every frame with his menacing presence. It was refreshing to watch a film that was made before encroaching "political correctness", and it dealt with some terrific social and personal issues all with the glorious backdrop of British Columbian wilderness.

Greatest movie ever made. I have been looking for it, off and on, for 31 years. I first viewed the movie aboard the USS Clamagore, SS343, a United States Navy submarine in 1970. We must have watched it a dozen times in the six weeks or so that the 16mm reel was aboard. The whole crew went ape for the movie. This could very well be a cult favorite. Surely, some TV producer should show it in the US. Then, it would become popular enough to elicit a VHS reproduction. mmullis

I only discovered this film recently on a rather mediocre quality pan-and-scan VHS tape. It was a new and factory-sealed in the original box; but, alas, I find many old movies are kind of flat and faded looking on VHS or DVD.

That's a real pity with this movie, because it is just gripping with well-played characters, beautiful scenery, and some heart-stopping action scenes.

Besides all that, this film has, perhaps, the tenderest and most passionate kiss ever recorded on film. Oliver Reed fans, here's your chance to see a love scene that works ((albeit, a bit short by today's standards).

Lush Canadian scenery that stretches as far as can be imagined, and yet this film manages to convey claustrophobia on the part of a traumatized girl compelled to wed a brutish-seeming fur trapper. The two leads play off each other very well. Miss Tushingham cannot speak yet shows powerful emotions in her facial expressions and body language. Mr. Reed gives a bravuro performance as a rough man trying to show his underdeveloped tender side. The plot is tight, the cinematography excellent, and the acting first-rate. One comment to those who wonder why Eve didn't use sign language or write: In frontier, fur-trapping Canada, when this film is set, most folks were illiterate and no universal sign language system had yet been developed. And sorry the Indians weren't acted by real ones, but that seems a minor point in light of the job the cast and crew did on an obviously limited budget. Flaws aside, this was a gripping love story.

I first saw this movie when it was released in theaters, 34 years ago. It was the support to something I specifically went to see, but I have long since forgotten what the main feature was. This movie, for some reason, really got to me. As the female star is a deaf mute, there is not a lot of talking in the movie, but the acting is so wonderful it is easy to understand what is happening. It would seem to be a rough and unfair story, from the viewpoint of the young woman, but as the movie progresses, there is a softening of the feelings of the trapper, and an understanding from the young woman. There is one scene in an Indian cemetery which is quite an eye-opener for most people brought up in a western culture. After the first viewing, I heard nothing more about this movie for 30 years, then it appeared on TV one Sunday afternoon, and was promptly taped by me! The theme song actually stuck in my head all those years, words and all. This movie certainly made a big impression on me, even though it was not, and still is not, my favorite genre.

To all you movie buffs out there, if you get the opportunity to see this movie, DO IT! Believe me, you won't be disappointed.

I saw this movie when I was about 20 (about 12 years ago) but it is still one that I remember the best. I really enjoyed it (the story, the acting, the cinematography everything) then, but unfortunately have not been able to see it again to be sure that it is as good as I remember it to be.