Blu-ray, DVD Release: Trapeze

Blu-ray & DVD Release Date: Sept. 25, 2018
Price: DVD $10.55, Blu-ray $18.89
Studio: Kino Lorber

Burt Lancaster (Sweet Smell of Success), Tony Curtis (The Vikings) and Gina Lollobrigida (Solomon and Sheba) form a troubled love triangle in the 1956 circus drama-adventure film Trapeze.

Shot in the actual Cirque d’Hiver in Paris, the film revolves around young American acrobat Tino Orsini (Curtis), an aspiring trapeze artist who comes to Paris in search of Mike Ribble (Lancaster), a former aerialist who has retired after injuring himself attempting a triple somersault. Mike agrees to teach Tino the triple after circus performer Rosa O’Flynn (Katy Jurado, Bullfighter and The Lady) convinces him to stop feeling sorry for himself and try to recapture some of the fame that eluded him. But when two men both fall in love with the beautiful Lola (the luscious Ms. Lollobrigida in her first American film) who uses them both to further her own ambitions the triangle threatens the dreams of them all.

Effectively directed by the great Carol Reed (Oliver!, Odd Man Out) and filled with great atmosphere and solid performances, Trapeze features some great stunt work, much of which was done by the game cast (Lancaster had previously been an acrobat in real life).

The widescreen print isn’t all that gorgeous—this one hasn’t been remastered—but the discs do feature an audio commentary by film historian Kat Ellinger and an original theatrical trailer.