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.
如果不是政治正确很难想象有这么高的评分 主角们相识相恋的节奏没有任何波澜 又没有艺术片特有的魅力 在理智与情感中需要克制欲望的张力 本片更像是青少年宗教电影 但又不知道是想表达愤世嫉俗还是随心所欲 两个小演员的眼神沟通算是为数不多的亮点 现在许多时候政治正确已经大于作品衡量的标准是否优秀
电影整体给人一种隔绝现实，好像是在天堂的感觉。同性爱情故事好像总是在一个单独创造出的环境演绎，与主流社会隔离，不喜欢这样。
居然没床戏！！kiss也没有！！我要看西岛秀俊脆皮鸭文学立刻马上╯-__-)╯ ╩╩
第一次看爱情片产生如此强烈的不适。和religious maniac谈恋爱简直就是恐怖片啊，你有信仰还撩拨我，我回应了你又后退，搞这些就算了还要给我传教，还要我为了十几岁的爱情和才见过两次面的男人结婚？婚姻里一套外面一套且毫无道德压力是religious maniacs的传统吗？难怪搞出来这么多paedophilia。厕所那一段在我看来完全就是猥亵，洗礼那一段更是精神上的强奸，最后女主去到她家里那里我简直要打电话报警连夜逃出绝命镇，太可怕了我是怎么把这一个半小时坚持下来的啊？
“每一天。”
竟然慢慢能找到一些cp感了，没有了xsh的中老年夫夫过平平淡淡的日子，也挺美
大叔们的温暖日常，少了浮躁，多了羁绊。母亲的那盘炸丸子，家就在身边。
一方面禁忌之恋是很美，另一方面宗教去他爹的吃人的狗东西
可能我永远都无法理解信仰如此之深的人，并且一代一代的传下去，
往后余生皆是你。除了恩爱日常中的料理趣事，也探讨了家庭、亲情友情的冲突。据说有些对白是即兴发挥。不过介绍的菜感觉都好难做。
没看过剧版的人估计很难懂这部戏里的平淡温馨，想起之前某厨房家电品牌做的油烟情书，每一次下厨都是爱的体现，所有的柴米油盐都是一封情书。
就算故事快要烂到我翻白眼了也不妨碍我给塑造的Jaime多打分。毛线帽，眼镜框，卫衣，衬衫，牛仔裤，还有做自己的自己，沙发上某个镜头和俯拍视角下的冰面一样美。
电影院厕所那段还有车里偷偷的摸手、在浴缸“洗礼”这几段女本子们很难不跟着深呼吸了吧hhh…（为什么每次看姬片这些片段都好害怕突然被人推门发现？？？ptsd了
三星半，演技很舒服，就是吃的篇幅有点少，不过时长限制可以理解
小朋友们求he，有了一些经历的朋友们觉得还是不要he（？）了吧。
我们去布拉格桥下
女主戴眼镜好看，影院那段挺有chemistry
明明相爱为什么没有收获好的结局！中间相爱那段太美好了！！！真的很心动啊！！
好青涩好可爱！（主要是因为太吃两位的颜了）杰米真的拉拉典范穿着，红的绿的黄的各种法兰绒格子衬衫，还有一直戴着的拉拉帽hhh
恋恋不舍地看完了。平常生活埋着好多甜蜜，是熟悉的温柔和治愈。还谈了一些坦诚相待、生老病死，有许多令人心动的前后呼应。真好啊，看完由衷觉得真好。能一直拍下去吗😭
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