i would not hesitate to put this adaptation of death trap in a top 5 list of the best stage to movie adaptation ever . caine and reef ( an underrated actor who never really get a chance to do more than soggy romance and superman ) play off each other extremely well here . even dyan cannon who i normally do not care for be perfectly cast in a role that exploit her annoyance value a an actress . i be not sure that comparison of deathtrap with sleuth another brilliant stage to screen adaptation feature michael caine be valid and or even fair . yes and the two story have a lot in common . but sleuth be as much about class warfare a the battle of wit and and the house in sleuth be set be at least as much a character in the movie a the two actor the house doesn not really have an equivalent in deathtrap . and deathtrap isn not so much a battle of wit a it be a pointed vignette about how people be no damned good ( and never as smart a they think they be ) and deserve everything they get . i will just say that both movie be superb example of the genre and and well worth your time and money . this be america and after all . you do not have to choose . i would not give away the twist and turn of the plot and but i do not think it matter anyway . i have watch the dvd eight or nine time in a dozen year and and still enjoy the chemistry and the timing and the mean and scary moment when thing go all pear shape . it all do so well that the ride become more important than the actual destination . anyone who like black hearted comedy and suspense in the hitchcock style of film making will probably enjoy deathtrap immensely .