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.
这么好的题材但是导演不太给力，煽情的部分有点多，转场的淡化有点多，画面动不动就慢速了都让我感觉像是在看广告；很喜欢少年时代的苏桦伟扮演者 特别有少年气，而且形象上更贴合真人
后面就有点走下坡了，剧情发展略快，一些矛盾点给的也太快，没有铺垫。
妈妈你一直为我而跑
苏神微博推荐来的。
例如火車東、Victor，
故事基于真实的人物事件，拍得朴实自然。情感真挚而不过度卖惨，母子互相依偎也会有理念冲突，后面母子二人看台上爆发的片段很容易让观众产生共鸣，因为现实中也会真实地遇到这种很难用对错来评判、解决的矛盾。影片没有反派角色，却点中了很多残疾人士的痛点，比如适应社会生活、同工同酬、金钱和荣誉的平衡。几位主演的功力深厚，润物细无声。
看的普通话版本有点尴尬，但是最后一幕真的有点泪目了
先说我最讨厌的一点：配乐乱配。拜托又不是什么苦大仇深悲剧片，老是用那煽情音乐最后结局感染力降了好几个档次。有时候无声的力量比有声更强(参考《复联3》结尾)。另外就是淡出黑场这个过渡方式可以少用点。
@MOViE MOViE Cityplaza
后半段拍出了不一样的东西，主旋律励志转向现实议题，它那么残忍直接地让吴君如说出“你是天生残障没有人会怪你，他们只会怪我这个妈”，那个瞬间人物立住了
演员选的真好，吴君如的妈妈数次让我泪崩，当了妈妈太能理解了，孩子生病是妈妈的责任……有种阿甘的感觉，只是多么不容易啊
意外的还不错 比较纯粹 刻意煽情不多。必须粤语版 国语配音出戏。
我陪你一起跑
两母子在体育场的对话很真实啊，也是全片最升华的地方
看哭了！觉得大家更应该关注一下残奥会，他们都太不容易了
买可乐时串戏到朱梁，有cola，有hope.
很平的故事，也很感人的故事。HK真是个神奇的地方，致敬。
残奥赛场上当之无愧的“苏神”！片子拍得非常澎湃，儿童、少年和成年三个阶段的演员外貌和气质契合度也非常高，吴君如多年积淀的演技也让人刮目相看。
励志故事外加亲情，剧情有点同质化。但效果还是很令人动容，表演、节奏、台词都很好，只是配乐有点满。
吴君如的演技没的说 香港苏神得故事 励志中透漏出残疾人的不易 可中间妈妈为了儿子的成长却舍弃了对小儿子的爱 或许是现实拉低了分数 今天也完成了开年第一跑 状态不错可心率太高时还是有缺氧的身体反应 是不是也要套个塑料袋练练
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