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.
战争的残酷，坚强的意志，拼命的活着，飞行员运气也不错，那个医生刚说完成功就挨了一枪，就这样没了，只留下一段留言
压抑、沉闷、紧张，不喜欢这类独角戏式电影。
火箭弹击中坦克概率几乎为0，莫斯科战役期间应该也没有子母弹吧，因为男主说是第一次接受的新飞机，那是要等到库尔斯克的43年的外挂，另外对地攻击机和41年的德空军战斗机飞行员缠斗，还是3打1还能反杀1个，只有电影才可能。尽管如此，还是给4星，献给卫国战争的英雄们，你们是那个黑暗时代中顶着天塌下来的高个子们！
跟活埋比差远了 单一场景并不是不能拍出好电影
又一部优秀毛片。男主略猥琐是遗憾。德语实时传译成俄语太烦人。
又一部优秀毛片。男主略猥琐是遗憾。德语实时传译成俄语太烦人。
色彩绚丽，物种丰富的丛林，喜欢。情节固然老套，还是挺完整的。
前苏联那群英雄的精气神，不晓得还能留下多少
看完后第一感觉是很不错的，说故事老套也确实老套，每一处剧情都很迪士尼，动画感很强，可翻来覆去的看也麻木了，因为很快就可以进入电影，虽然知道套路，你还是会乐此不疲的看，就像有些人明明谈过很多次恋爱，但每次有新的恋情，他还是会全身心的投入，而且强森不死之身的反转着实让我意外，也不是完全没创意，比起之前看的《地心历险记2》，要好多了，当然，不死诅咒跟《加勒比海盗》如出一辙，转念一想，又如何？也是迪士尼家的，财大气粗，不服啊？
二战题材很给力，也是最容易出高分的，剧情感觉可以
电影整体中规中矩吧。看看片尾这些苏联英雄，看看当下他们保卫的苏联已不复存在，放到现在他们可能还要变成仇敌，令人叹息。
哈利波特+加勒比海，童话故事，强森演的这个王子（骑士）有点违和。
由现实和追忆混剪，没有过多的花哨，演员表演也不夸张很适度，属于中规中矩的战争片。（个人认为：渡河后腿部中枪，被狼群追踪……掉入捕猎陷阱重伤后徒手杀狼……这些剧情太过牵强！有些“画蛇添足”）
这么好的题材，这么多真实的反侵略英雄，就编成这样的故事，拍成这样的影片？？莫名奇妙！正剧就按正剧的模式来啊，结果非要弱弱的插一个感情戏，还支离破碎；商业片就商业片，结果情节零碎，表演生硬....太可惜了！！所有反侵略的战士，万岁！
喜欢他们俩，很期待！觉得艾米莉有一种英气，《明日边缘》里最为明显，一直觉得她才是《惊奇队长》的不二人选。
主旋律电影，和《长津湖》差不多，自己吹嘘自己
战斗民族主旋律，既然是主旋律，就别要求太多了噶
非常喜欢，比昨天看的『黑寡妇』要好看。男女主之间火花很棒，elsewhere这段插得也很好，就是辱德情节让我不能忍嘻嘻。
没想到是个这样的小成本啊…我想看丰富的内容！
现在的迪士尼离了成熟IP连基本的套路类型片都拍不好了
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