
To Trap a Kidnapper
Hideyuki Mitamura, a student at a private school near Osaka, is kidnapped on his way home from school.
Insights
Plot Summary
A desperate father, whose daughter has been kidnapped, takes matters into his own hands when he believes the police are not acting swiftly enough. He sets out to track down the kidnappers himself, employing his own methods to bring his child back. The film follows his perilous journey as he navigates the dangerous underworld in pursuit of justice.
Critical Reception
To Trap a Kidnapper was a made-for-television movie that received a moderate reception upon its release. It was noted for its suspenseful plot and the lead actor's performance, though some critics found its pacing uneven and its depiction of police procedural elements somewhat predictable.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its tense atmosphere and Farentino's portrayal of a determined father.
- Criticized for predictable plot turns and a formulaic approach to the thriller genre.
- Seen as a serviceable TV movie that delivers suspense but lacks originality.
Google audience: Audience reception for this older television film is not widely available. Viewers who have seen it often comment on its effectiveness as a suspenseful thriller for its time, with some appreciating the emotional stakes of the father's mission.
Fun Fact
The film was part of a wave of made-for-television thrillers in the early 1980s that often explored themes of parental desperation and vigilantism.
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