NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Flicker Alley Blu-ray (January 2020): Flicker Alley have transferred Richard Fleischer's Trapped to Blu-ray via a new restoration from the Film Noir Foundation, and UCLA Film & Television Archive. "Although long sought by the Film Noir Foundation, Trapped was believed to have suffered the unfortunate fate of many B-films of the era oblivion. But when a private collector deposited a 35mm acetate print at the Harvard Film Archive, the Film Noir Foundation and UCLA Film & Television Archive (with support from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's Charitable Trust [The HFPA Trust]) sprang into action, restoring the film. The result, is this Blu-ray dual-format edition by Flicker Alley, honoring the pitch-perfect performances, assured direction, and gorgeous cinematography of this edge-of-your-seat, noir classic." While the image quality is a gigantic leap over the PD DVDs that have floated around, there is still some damage in the print (see captures below), some warping and marks are visible throughout. The fight sequences on the beach seems the most compromised but there are sequences that looks stellar. Overall this is a triumphant 1080P image considering the surviving source elements. Noir fans should be ecstatic with the higher resolution, layered contrast and vastly improved image quality!

NOTE: 57 more full resolution (1920 X 1080) Blu-ray captures for Patrons are available HERE.

On their Blu-ray, Flicker Alley use a DTS-HD Master mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. It is another advancement in the film's presentation on digital. This is highly notable in the score by Sol Kaplan (711 Ocean Drive, Deadline USA, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Seven Wonders of the World, Niagara, The House on Telegraph Hill) heightening tension and adding atmosphere. Flicker Alley offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

Flicker Alley include a new audio commentary featuring Alan K. Rode (author of Michael Curtiz: A Life in Film) and film historian Julie Kirgo. It's top-tier stuff with both enjoying the film and exchanging anecdotes about the production, performers, commenting on the California location scenes, director Fleischer and the unusual plot involving the missing Tris Stewart character. It's well worth the indulgence. There are two featurettes; Freeing Trapped is a 1/3 hour documentary on the film's creation and history, featuring interviews with Eddie Muller, Donna Lethal, and others discussing the making of Trapped. A Sedulous Cinderella runs a dozen minutes having Mark Fleischer remember his the father, Richard. The package has a wonderful 24-Page souvenir booklet featuring rare photographs, poster art, and commentary by 'Czar of Noir' Eddie Muller. This is dual-format and a second disc DVD is included.

Flicker Alley's restored Trapped Blu-ray goes right on the shelf with their other 3 Noir gems:

I can honestly say I gained a huge appreciation of Trapped thanks to both the restoration presentation and to the informative commentary. It was painful to watch the DVDs with gaining any sense of engagement into the plot or characters. Trapped is a film I am very overjoyed to own on Blu-ray. I am hopeful that many more are coming from Flicker Alley! 

Gary Tooze

ON THE DVDs: Pretty pathetic transfer for this essential Noir - in both editions. They look to be from the same source (same scratches) but the Alpha may have been taken directly from video-tape (flat-line bitrate). Both are interlaced and the Glass Key is, presumably, an incorrect standard source as well - see the running times - meaning 'ghosting' is present as well. The UK release also looks to have contrast boosting and is cropped. Pitiful - as this is a decent dark cinema effort and certainly deserves much better although a viable 35mm source may not even exist. Still we can shake our fists at the cheapo transfers.

  - Gary Tooze and Gregory Meshman