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.
1.Dillon是一个很上分的朋友，各处，和对象竞争失败后称呼对方主席女士，对方称他第一先生，两个人配一脸🥰；
一般般吧 就.....有点像女版的那个同性片，忘了名字，好像叫爱你，啥啥来着？
没有令人厌恶的人，所有人都极其友好美好快乐，真的是乌托邦啊…
很理想化的不走伤痛路线的青春钕铜故事～看完不知道该羡慕社牛们还是羡慕丑国中产
以未来人工智能背景的故事，吸引自己不停看下去，但是有点“你的名字”套路，还有点“夏日大作战”的味儿哈哈哈总之是一群高中生为梦想为朋友冲动挑战酸酸甜甜的故事。最后结尾真是有点出乎我意料非常宏大的脑洞。似乎表达的还是赞扬创新的生命力，很阳光，很正能量。这个监督的动漫还是一如既往的制作优良，画风清新为了这一点，值得一看。
好甜，这样甜甜的恋爱真的可以不可求，是我得不到的恋爱了
太喜欢这种美式青春荷尔蒙糖水片了，且还是酷儿，他们的父母好开放，不干涉孩子出柜与否。他们的高中教育和我们最大的不同就是尊重并充分发掘自己的兴趣和释放天性，但我们主张成为做题家夯实基础教育，这两种模式可能前者更能在艺术等这些需要创造力的领域或者体育运动培养人才。最后一幕巨幅涂鸦落下来的时候有一丝触动，看完电影才知道为啥美国的田径项目这么厉害了，kingpun双关语涂鸦蛮可爱的。【WEB/H264/NAISU/3.7GB/英字】（下了个字幕翻译错漏百出，最后看生肉了，语速有点快，有些地方没跟上节奏）
dental dam是个好东西啊 女主的妈妈太酷了 甚至让人也想做个酷妈
▪️冷知识：
色彩鲜艳，非常可爱。只不过你们的高中生活这么热烈奔放的吗，大庭广众之下激吻和开车。
男人喜欢好看的百合就像女人喜欢好看的基佬一样
我给个7分吧
姬片剧情也太古早纯情了吧？lgbt不要只剩g啊！
一个群体开始有无脑日常甜片，说明日子真的好起来了。姐妹俩各有各的美，肉肉的健壮的形象也好难得。
最后那个love spell确实是可爱到了
3.5?老套但是看起来还蛮愉快的（多一点这样的姬片吧）
fxxking the patriarchy顺直女们求求您可闭嘴吧！
虽然但是aj小的时候就好可爱，我更喜欢长大的加比（狗头）
可可爱爱
Netflix周作业，各种「政治正确」下的洒狗血校园戏。这次是加了个「女同三角」的戏份包裹，理所应当的「青春萌动」与「移情别恋」。新世纪二十年代网大的惯用手段，着实不新鲜也没意思。打发时间的「作业电影」，都嫌有点俗气有点齁。
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