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.
kenken是不是角色类型太固定了，梦回裙子（明明很适合元气小狗狗 杰努努力
印象最深刻的是还书时的那句台词为“こめん 遅くなりました。”翻译一下是“不好意思来晚了”。字面意思是逾期还书了抱歉，但是同时也代表着不好意思这么晚才意识到这些爱与美好。其实救赎或许一直都在，其实你没有被全世界所忽视所抛弃，或许那些牵绊都在，只是被你忘记掉罢了。管理员的出现太频繁有点减分w
所以还要怪自杀的人？只会马后炮等人死了一次后才堆砌出来自己对小林真的爱，如果你们表达爱的方式是正常的，小林真那么敏感一定会感受得到，等人死了也没反省自己，反而责怪受害人眼界狭隘心胸也狭隘，真让人觉得恶心，宁愿小林真是真的死了
感觉全靠时间停止的效果顶上去啊，人人都是过客
摄影助理小姐姐真琴可太好看了！！！！这一对也是甜味超标…片尾音乐也是好听的歌
奶奶长得太好看了！剧情很平但是一点都不乏味。希望将来也能成为这样的奶奶，好酷啊。
导演太残酷了，你让他俩在雪地相见又不相认，那不是往我伤口上撒刀子吗？
2022年了，日本纯爱电影竟然还在执着老掉牙的绝症梗，只有唯美的画面和临近结尾相见不相识的梗能勉强夸一下。
其实还是很不错的，没想到结局啊，最主要的是男主好可爱!男主的哥哥也好让人有安全感!
2022年2月2號星期三/正月初二
祖孙感情突然的加深，是因为剧情简单还是演技。不能说服
Ps、谁说的松本穗香是女版贺来贤人啊啊啊，越看越像啊啊啊我受不了了。
长尾谦社剪短发后真的好看很多呀！青梅竹马也是耐看型的，越看越美！特别是为了看烟火大会特意打扮的那个造型，真漂亮！
所以意思是遭受校园霸凌和因为父母反对而无法追求自己梦想的孩子都是不会表达内心感受不懂得珍惜爱吗 简直就是反自杀的主题教育宣传片
立意不错 就是告诉你 自己的死是自己作的…自杀的人可能多数都是自己的问题……不过观看过程还是有点被矫情所不爽 男主又比较娘…女主比较耐看 感觉比高个子的好看 不知道这是不是地域性的审美差距
总觉得男主的崩溃是因为发现暗恋的女神原来是拉拉...
2022/51
职业: 导演 / 编剧 / 演员 / 配音
虽然就是死人纯爱，但是嫂子真的太好了，单手扛自行车的健人好帅哦
私心因为Rampling多给一星 老奶奶年轻时候也是超级潇洒
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