IMDb RATING
6.8/10
5.2K
YOUR RATING
A crippled circus acrobat is torn emotionally between two ambitious young trapeze artists, one a talented young American and a less-gifted but beautiful Italian.A crippled circus acrobat is torn emotionally between two ambitious young trapeze artists, one a talented young American and a less-gifted but beautiful Italian.A crippled circus acrobat is torn emotionally between two ambitious young trapeze artists, one a talented young American and a less-gifted but beautiful Italian.
- Awards
- 3 wins & 1 nomination
Johnny Puleo
- Max
- (as John Puleo)
Gérard Landry
- Chikki
- (as Gerard Landry)
Jean-Pierre Kérien
- Otto
- (as Jean-Pierre Kerien)
Serge Bento
- Circus Boy
- (uncredited)
- …
Paul Bonifas
- Paul - Circus Peddler
- (uncredited)
Roland Carey
- Trapeze Artist
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe 41-year-old Burt Lancaster performed all but one of the trapeze stunts himself, having worked in a circus before entering films. He insisted on doing the climactic triple somersault, but technical adviser Eddie Ward initially was hesitant on Lancaster performing the stunt, and Ward doubled for him during the first weeks of shooting. Director Carol Reed eventually hired Lancaster's longtime friend, stuntman Nick Cravat to perform the stunt.
- Quotes
Tino Orsini: You know, I always modeled my style after yours.
Mike Ribble: You'll always be a second-rater. Make your own style!
- ConnectionsFeatured in One Hundred and One Nights (1995)
- SoundtracksThe Blue Danube (An der schönen, blauen Donau, Op. 314)
(uncredited)
Music by Johann Strauss
Played during the trapeze routines
Featured review
Burt & Co. Shine on the Flying Trapeze
Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, and Gina Lollbrigida star in "Trapeze," which depicts the life of trapeze artists in a circus. Tony Curtis wants to be a great trapeze artist and thinks he's ready for it, except for one thing, the triple somersault. And, he needs Burt Lancaster to teach him. But, Burt has quit the spotlight since he tried the triple and fell. But, when he sees Tony and what he can do, he thinks Tony can do a triple. But, he won't tell him so, at first. Enter Gina. She has a wire act of her own, and she want to get in on the main attraction. And, of course, love enters the picture.
This may have a why should I care? feel to it, as it may not interest some people at all. But for those who will be watching for the stars, the rewards are many. This is a more personal and realistic (of course how should I know) story and treatment of what goes on beyond the high wire act than Cecil B. DeMille's "The Greatest Show on Earth." We are allowed to see beyond the glamorous lifestyle and see them as people who are trying to express themselves while existing here on this earth. This has a deep respect for its subject matter and its characters and shows how they have to work together in order for the act to work, and not just because of the obvious physical risks involved but because they are supposed to be a team and not looking out only for themselves.
Plus, Lancaster apparently had some experience in this and performed most of his stunts, and, after Tony and Gina practiced a lot, they did as much as they could. So you do get the real thing and some really good and sincere performances.
If you want less DeMille-like glitz and more substance, then this is the circus for you.
This may have a why should I care? feel to it, as it may not interest some people at all. But for those who will be watching for the stars, the rewards are many. This is a more personal and realistic (of course how should I know) story and treatment of what goes on beyond the high wire act than Cecil B. DeMille's "The Greatest Show on Earth." We are allowed to see beyond the glamorous lifestyle and see them as people who are trying to express themselves while existing here on this earth. This has a deep respect for its subject matter and its characters and shows how they have to work together in order for the act to work, and not just because of the obvious physical risks involved but because they are supposed to be a team and not looking out only for themselves.
Plus, Lancaster apparently had some experience in this and performed most of his stunts, and, after Tony and Gina practiced a lot, they did as much as they could. So you do get the real thing and some really good and sincere performances.
If you want less DeMille-like glitz and more substance, then this is the circus for you.
helpful•110
- JLRMovieReviews
- Sep 16, 2010
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Trapez
- Filming locations
- Cirque d'Hiver - 110 rue Amelot, Paris 11, Paris, France(picture photographed at)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $4,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 45 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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