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.
古泽良太 你终于写完这个系列了....吧？！
一系列看下来，终于能猜到大多数骗局了，而一直以来的受害者，其实就只有一个——你以为我要说赤星荣介？不不不，其实是小少爷😂😂
这一系列已经是戏外多磨大过戏内转折了。惨剧加丑闻让麻妹更显牙白。华丽的助演阵容是不是预示着还会有戏。
赤星笑死我了 哈哈哈 结局有点感动惹
继承了这个系列的所有优点，一种黄金时代香港贺岁片的闹腾和欢乐，希望麻酱可以再拍十部行骗天下，这个系列里的她明显是放的最开演的最开心的。
电影感不足，前半段有些突兀，后面节奏才正常。不过结尾两人分别向家人出柜及告白，还是挺治愈的感觉，影院里有同学看哭。@香港·Cinema City（朗豪坊店）
再重温一遍！安妲己！我来了！ 啊！看错了，原来是大电影！今天刚出就刷到了！码住～
比起在意別人的眼光，活在懦弱與自卑裡。
4如何获取信任?轻信无非还是相信一些东西诗真的，才会误判另一些也是真。如果本来心里没标准，无所谓真无所谓加点。也就不会相信任何人任何事。
马耳他共和国珍宝维纳斯争夺记，一开始有点无聊，最后揭开真相就够味道，还是达子，骗局主要靠情报和人脉，提前布局，胆大心细，请君入瓮，假装内部分裂搞内讧这招早就玩过不知多少遍，达子必胜结局一如既往，都是日剧老面孔，春马结子作为角色依旧起了关键作用。
可能是因为在电影院看的原因，觉得剧情节奏配乐什么的太不像电影了。电视剧可以大段留白，表现内心挣扎什么的。但是电影院看就太尴尬了，叫配乐都没有的空白太多。大大的HE，完全粉丝向作品。
可以了，不要再拍了。感觉又费钱又不好看，套路都一样，不能玩个别的IP吗？还有，尽量不要让我看到东出的脸了，谢谢。
？？？？三浦春马和竹内结子到底演的谁啊
叙事比前几部有新意了，总之就是欺诈师永远不会输。以及，终于完结了……
最离谱就是片尾的演职员表：双男主一头一尾可还行？什么新式避嫌？
3.5吧 前半有点乏味 甚至想睡觉 大家的热闹显得做作 但是后半还是很不错 还是很喜欢达子运筹帷幄的样子 依然很爽 cue了star和杰西真的泪目 看了白色巨塔再看赤星有种难以言喻的感觉hhh 卡司越来越牛 真就新日本贺岁片了 请一直拍下去！
一定会反转的
6.0/10。没有追求的古泽，容易满足的我。
我本来明年要回国的 听了要电影要上了 决定看完电影再回 看完结局算是圆满了 希望你们白头偕老
完全是之前剧的喜欢支撑
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