In the time of Counter-Reformation, a miller and his son come under investigation by a priest of the Inquisition, when rumors spread that their prosperity comes from working with the Devil.
The Devil's Trap is a film directed by František Vlá?il, based on a novel by Alfréd Technik, adapted by František A. Dvorák and Miloš Kratochvíl. It was the first of three historical dramas that Vlá?il made during the Czech New Wave (technically he isn't really a part of the New Wave, however these films were made during the same era of artistic freedom), preceding his more well known Marketa Lazarová (1967) and Valley of the Bees (1968).
Set in the late 16th Century during the Catholic Reformation, in the Moravian Karst, situated in what is now the Eastern Czech Republic, it tells the tale of a miller (Vítezslav Vejrazka), and his son Jan (Vít Olmer), who come under suspicion and are investigated by a Jesuit priest of the Inquisition (Miroslav Macháchek), when rumors of witchcraft are spread by the local regent (Cestmír Randa), who is jealous of the miller's prosperity and degree of respect among the local populace.
As expected from Vlá?il, this film is a stunning experience all the way through. From the opening shot, an ominous manipulation of perspective with a close up of a mangled figure of Christ dominating the foreground against a tiny figure in black walking along the horizon, to the breathtaking confrontational finale inside the vast stalactite filled Karst caverns, it is a wonderful display of visual mastery.
Maybe not quite as impressive as Marketa Lazarová, but still full of astonishing imagery. As seen from unique angles and distinct points of view which highlight the director's remarkable sense of awareness of framing, motion, and positioning on the emotional and dramatic tone of the scene. The most memorable being a repeated shot where the camera is suspended and launched with speed through the air towards the miller's door.
The story here is a simple one and I would say more accessible than his later works. With a conventional structure emphasized as much by its plot and characters, than by its expressionistic cinematography or authentic historical detail. The events play out without much surprise, and there is a strong underlying, almost supernatural, mysterious aspect that is left unresolved, in fact barely explored, which is slightly disappointing, but only because it's so fascinating that I wish there was more.
Acting is great all around. Particularly the villains: Miroslav Macháchek as the priest, casting a sinister and imposing shadow wherever he goes, and Cestmír Randa as the weasel like regent behind all the persecution. While Vít Olmer brings a charismatic leading man presence in his role as the miller's son Jan, in love with the lovely orphan girl Martina (Karla Chadimová), who becomes a dangerous object of rivalry between Jan and other young men of the village.
The film also features the evocative music of Zden?k Liška (perhaps the most prolific composer of the Czech New Wave). In this his second of eleven collaborations with Vlá?il, his compositions are used sparingly, but to great effect, complimenting but never overpowering a scene. The best example of which can be heard in an amazingly shot celebration and dance sequence at the end of the second act.
The Devil's Trap might not be a masterpiece, but it is still a strong effort, with a fascinating straightforward story and a glorious historical setting captured beautifully by Vlá?il's unmistakable visual prowess. A fine work that would also be the perfect starter plate to prepare yourself for the challenging feast of Marketa Lazarová or The Valley of the Bees. It even has an easy to digest running time. It's therefore puzzling why this gem remains largely overlooked and ignored.
其实还没有看完，打算今天bubble bath接着看，虽然感到蛮难看的，dakota粉丝向电影，非常适合泡澡
没有啥新意，开始交代一下众人的关系，然后灾难开始“人性的考验”
不称职的旅行，不愉快的食物，不讨好的爱情。
勉强能看，前面非常磨叽，结尾再来个朝鲜半岛这么大的坑就完美了…狗头保命
豆瓣评分太低，拉高。优美的托斯卡纳风景，漂亮到诱人的美食，温柔舒缓的配乐，还有稍显俗套的故事。
这一路的奥斯汀改编里还是love and friendship最好。不是打破第四面墙就是fleabag的。
情节最简单的灾难片，没有惊险的营救，只是喜剧，虽然喜欢李光洙，但是他真的每部剧演的都是李光洙
这个改编它很好！颓废女诗人气质的达妹我好爱，还有里面从头到尾找尽借口不凑仔的三妹。继续珍惜简奥斯汀笔下的happy ending
“because he’s a ten” lollll
没看过原著 完全是新故事看的 各种桥段还蛮偶像剧的 这电影我看太危险了……
本来就是看达科塔约翰逊的，看完发现简奥斯汀那些东西用这种现代诙谐方式拍居然可以把狗血溶解到幽默里就很神奇
Dakota太出戏了。选角既然已经如此，Henry Golding不如直接演Wentworth，至少更养眼
必须要把含蓄变成直白，演员人种各异，仿佛才能是现代。畅同学的第一眼海报评论挺好的，要是不说是劝导，你说是五十度灰续集也是可以的。人设高于故事，这次遭殃的是简奥斯丁而已。这个评论也许有失公允，毕竟我就是干着别的，让它播着，即便这样我都感到尬尴力透屏幕。
“because he’s a ten” lollll
这种搞笑灾难片真是少有，拍来讽刺韩国救援队的吧
第一次看了一半忘记了，过程有点搞笑和刻意。
达科塔·约翰逊的身材颜值依然可以欣赏，但是这种喋喋不休的世俗，还有周围这些演员的选择，真令人无语。情书的出现导致破镜重圆，也算对得起我如坐针毡地看完了这部电影。
不好看，前面还凑合后面既不是紧张的灾难片也没有了搞笑喜剧元素。亚洲人真是宁愿死了都不能没有房子。最后公寓真是不值得买啊
太难入戏了……vlog即视感😂虽然我还比较喜欢达妹的
👦：四舍五入就是⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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