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.
cliche的爱情喜剧～电影的歌曲蛮好听的～
歌还蛮好听的，情节么，也就这样了。但是，男女主实在年纪太大，不适合这样的故事。帅哥猛男94年滴，选角和设定都难免生硬了。
没有抱什么预期，反而有点意料之外的惊喜。想到什么就去做吧，就趁现在还来得及。惊喜和意外也许也是冥冥中的注定，就因为在人群中多看了你一眼（？）有勇气可真好啊。（20220518）
欧文威尔逊有时候很帅，有时候像戴假发的川普。剧情乱七八糟但台词比看过的大部分漫威迪士尼强
男主娘的让人受不了，他很像Hank Azaria，一个和女人结婚的三流gay演员
大失所望。作为圣诞剧，剧情cliché不是你的错，但是做到如此僵硬和甜度稀薄就是你的不对了。
原来是一部这样题材的电影啊~
女主啊，还是那个嘟嘟嘴，演技没有进步。剧情也太弱。
像是一个童话故事。很多人做梦都想拥有的一种爱情。
剧情很有《诺丁山》既视感，不过还是欣赏不了詹尼佛洛佩兹，还是喜欢大嘴茱莉亚罗伯茨
《我与巨星妻子的二三事》
这个时间段，有电影看，也不错，片子平平庸庸，歌倒是不错
巨星阴差阳错和一个普通人相识相爱。最终大团圆完美结局。
欧文威尔逊真的太老了，脸打太多玻尿酸都僵了。歌很好，舞台也很好，剧本就是凹3文平均水平。
总是能看到恶行里面的样子，那个形象印象深刻
所以说 男女主的爱情跨越了生死咯？
俗套到不能再俗套的剧情了……不过洛佩兹身材是真的棒～难怪大本念念不忘！
每一次看这种美国家庭喜剧真的就是幸福满满，我们追求的不是最帅的，而是最适合的
知道会无聊，没想到这么无聊。最有趣的是跟拍的摄影师。
情节很离谱，但是整个故事很甜，歌曲也非常好听且洗脑，尤其Marry Me的和声部分，真的太绝了！
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