THE TRAP

US, 1958, 84 minutes, Colour.
Richard Widmark, Lee J. Cobb, Earl Holliman, Tina Louise.
Directed by Norman Panama.

The Trap is a well made crime thriller concerning Mafia type murderers and their use of a lawyer and his family for an escape from the police. The plot is complicated by tensions within the lawyer's family ? a stern father, a weak brother who has married his former girlfriend. Much of the action consists of a chase through the desert, melodramatic heroics, but enjoyable. A good thriller with strong human issues and interest.

1. Was this a successful thriller? Why?

2. Why was the hero involved with such a Mafia-type group? Is this a likely situation for a lawyer?

3. Explain the relationship of the hero to ? his father ? his brother ? his brother's wife.

4. Was the hero fair to his father in asking him to help the murderer to get away?

5. Did his father make a good decision in co-operating?

6. Why was Tib a weak character? letting his brother take blame and hatred from his father, marrying his brother's girlfriend, staying at home with his father, trying to get the reward for Masonetti, tempted by Masonettl's money.

7. How did Masonetti control his syndicate? Was he obeyed? Was he liked?

8. Was the hero just in seeking a relentless vengeance against Masonetti, letting it drive him as far as he could go?

9. Most action suspense films have melodramatic heroics ? did this one? Did they spoil the interest and impact of the film?