The Trap (1966)

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¨ .

Oliver Reed, and Rita Tushingham were both outstanding in this film. I found it both a touching and thrilling movie. It's amazing what a wooden bowl and wooden utensils can do to a story line, one of my favorite all time movies by these two great British actors ! The location, and scenery was beautiful. It's hard to say more about this movie without spoiling it. there are so many unworthy movies replayed on T.V. these days, This is a movie I could watch over and over again. Filmed in the troubling times of the 1960's,it takes you to a time in our past that was although harder, but a much simpler way of life!I have been trying to find this movie on D.V.D., if anyone knows where I can get a copy please let me know.

In terms of acting between the 2 leads. the acting is perfect. The very reason why I sought this film out was to see Oliver Reed and his trademark intensity and Rita Tushingham is also at her top form. That being said, the blame I place of the poor aspects of this movie falls largely on the director. In terms of acting, Oliver reed is SO boisterous, and SO rowdy (breaking into peoples houses, shooting rifles off in Inn's) that frankly it seems that any place of commerce would have him locked up. And the character of the woman cannot speak; for some reason.... she can HEAR... which is made obvious to us in Oliver Reed's one sided dialogue. But for some reason cannot seem to speak, the reason for which is never explained. However, her lack of speech does pose a very interesting aspect in that she appears like the many animals Reed's character relies on for subsistence as simply THAT..... an animal. And indeed that is why Reed's character bought her as a slave, and therefore knowing WHY she cannot speak would be interesting....The acting is the only meagre highlight in this film as well as the interaction between Reed and Tushingham, and even that is very 1 dimensional. (He is Rowdy and uncivilized, she is civilized. He pressures her for sex. She abstains.) In ITSELF, the plot concept doesn't really pose a very interesting story. Solution?? add various irrational plot sequences to heighten the boredom RATHER than develop an intelligent and meaningful developmental relationship between these 2 main characters who now rely upon each other. First moronic plot sequence: 2 WHITE natives from the village SOMEHOW track down Reed's cabin for no other reason that to kidnap the girl. They have no guns. He has a gun. BUT.. they HAPPEN to show up when she is alone after basically being abandoned by Reed in the woods. Guess who gets shot... Totally nonsensical and badly handled. Second moronic plot sequence. The wolf scene. This scene literally makes the movie a laughable excuse for what it is indeed trying to be. (a movie about wilderness survival) Reed is in the woods. An experienced woodsman he SOMEHOW forgets where he set his traps... and BAM... he falls prey to them... suddenly.. he is set on by a cougar... THEN he is set upon by a pack of wolves. It's not fully possible to emphasize how badly this scene is handled, but 1. Wolves are not that aggressive. 2. if they attack, they do not attack 1 at a time in the course of 15 minutes without end. and 3. If you fire multiple rifle shots... they will RUN.... not stay to get shot. It is also quite humorous to witness how Reed at first cannot place the slightest weight on his leg and then is kicking off wolves left and right and running completely able bodied. once again this scene sells the movie short in my view. In the end, Reed must have his leg chopped off due to infection, which is also ridiculous because all they would have had to do was cauterize the wound and one would assume an experienced woodsman would RATHER do that than lose his leg. But wait there's more.... Third moronic plot sequence: This one has a lot to do with social etiquette of the 60's which definitely does not cohere to backwoods social etiquette of the 1800's. The entire movie, Reed has been held off from having sex with the female lead (possibly a 3 to 6 month period); a surprising feat in itself since theoretically that would have been the only reason why he bought her as a slave in the first place. Anyhow, regardless that these 2 characters have warmed to each other and have become dependant upon each other, she is DEATHLY opposed to sex with him for some reason, and after he finally forced himself upon her, rather than being fulfilled in her love of him, the next day she flees. This is a ridiculous plot point that should not have happened and very near the end of the film. she steals his boat; Falls asleep; gets swallowed up by the rapids and then floats ashore only to be rescued by friendly natives. What would we do without friendly natives... Before she is healed. Before she can talk. Before ANYTHING, they instantaneously bring her back to the Caucasian village. This is ridiculous. Naturally they would try to heal her first before moving her and THEN ask her where she wanted to go if they were so obliging... But no.. This was simply a little trick on the part of the director to make us think she was dead.... but She's ALIVE.... and after instantly being put into a marriage at the Caucasian village, she runs away back to Oliver Reed.This movie had an overall flawed and nonsensical storyline which was distracting form what this movie COULD have been; a very interesting psychological study of a man and woman in the wild left to depend upon each other. But instead it falls out to cheap misused plot devices. Naturally you will ask why does this movie have such a high rating and why do I disagree. Because the acting is so fine I would say that it is the CONCEPT that appeals to people and they were willing to overlook the overall ridiculousness of the plot. The cinematography is also quite great for anyone interested in the wilderness. As to my knowledge there truly isn't any OTHER film of a man and a woman living in the wild that has quite the same angle as this film (he buys her as a slave). Please view the film and think well upon my arguments against it. it was a good concept taken on by people who knew not how to properly execute it, and who sold out to typical mediocre Hollywood thrills and gimmicks that were badly conceived.

This is one of those movies that once seen you will never forget it. It leaves you with a feeling of delight after watching it. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to sit riveted to their seat the entire movie.I was 14 yrs old in 1970 when I saw this movie and to this day at almost 50 I still think of the times me and my mother and brother watched it. My brother would imitate Oliver Reeds character and dance for us and make us laugh until we cried. Rita Tushingham and Oliver Reeds performances are just remarkable. I hope its never re-made as I cant see anyone capturing the magic these two created on the screen. Its a must own, as you may find yourself watching it time and time again like reading a favorite book that takes you somewhere you want to keep going to. I hope you get to see it.