Trapeze

Trapeze

(Carol Reed, 1956)

Rating: 4/5

Reviewed by Dave Lancaster

Summary: See Burt Lancaster perform his own circus stunts in Carol Reed's vibrant drama 'Trapeze'. Well worth rediscovering.

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While the ultimate Burt Lancaster / Tony Curtis combo is always going to be the brutal masterpiece 'The Sweet Smell of Success', Carol Reed's circus-set love triangle 'Trapeze' dazzles from the first shot and doesn't let up.

A huge part of the film's appeal rests on Lancaster who, as a former trapeze artist himself, performs his own dizzying stunts. In an era of CGI 'danger', to see a lead actor put this much physicality into his work makes 'Trapeze' unmissable.

Unfortunately this also, by proxy, makes Tony Curtis the weak link as most of his physical moments are either doubled or the victim of some dodgy rear projection work.

Still, director Carol Reed ('Odd Man Out', 'The Third Man') is a master of visuals and is breathless in his determination to give so many of his scenes a truly memorable vibrancy.

A love triangle involving Curtis, Lancaster and ravishing Italian goddess Gina Lollobrigida is handled with skill. A dangerous backdrop and huge egos in the foreground grant 'Trapeze' a bold canvas to project a romance on. It works.

Second Sight's DVD showcases the widescreen presentation well, if a little softly. 

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