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.
画面感很强，故事性缺少一些冲突，明明很刺激 给人的感觉倒不是很强烈
在古代，
影片的制作思路是采取双主角的形式，通过两个男主角之间的对手戏推进的故事的发展，薛景求和李善俊两名实力派演员，对手戏演技使整个影片的气氛推向高潮。
没有看到什么惊世骇俗的政治手腕，反倒更凸显角色们的情感纠葛
有点掉书袋和刻意了。最喜欢是鸡蛋故事的首尾呼应以及电影中的光影。
你想改变世界，一个无辜的人不会被当作主义者迫害的世界，在那里你可以无所畏惧地说话，国家不强迫人民做出牺牲，创造这样一个世界是我的最大的目标。
确实好片，看得我目不转睛，里面对人民等概念的阐述很有意思。殊途到底能不能同归，正义是不是胜利者才能定义，这是片子讨论的问题，但我想zz作为工具确实难说对错，mz也只是治理手段，没什么好坏。总要有人去考虑整体是否富有，安全，可持续发展，能达到些大目标的就算合格的zz家，那些本身弱小，只空有理想和正义感的，还是尽早转行吧
主角人物光环过于强大，失去了可信性，影响了对剧情的认同感
“人活一世，有的人成了面子，有的人成了里子。”
让人停留在阴影中的不是手段是否阴暗，而是心中是否保留着一份光明。
有光明，当然就会有影子。看此片深层的感慨，并不是徐的手段或金的理想，而是关于那个偷鸡蛋的故事。邻居偷了你的鸡蛋，你会做何选择，他又会有怎样的抉择。使理想充盈的从不是个体的觉醒，而是古人所言的仁，是两个人，是所有人。
前面看的不认真，中间人物关系看的有点混乱，前面一般，最后部分还是拉回来了，韩国拍这类政治题材实在太老练了，但这片不在我的点上。但是演员们真的很好，李善均绝了。
政治是需要有一定的理想主义，但也总得有人干脏活。
保持初心不易，手段和结果哪个更重要？故事不错但做为历史不真。
过于强调个人的作用了，没有惊艳的感觉，6.5吧
又一部反映上世纪韩国政坛的作品，与《南山的部长们》相比，天生就缺少戏剧冲突和看点，所以情节弱一些，不能完全拿来比较，要是比较也是应该跟其他反映前总统事迹的电影比，比如《辩护人》，但是《辩护人》虽讲了前总统的故事，但是是从政前的故事，一时想不起应该跟谁对比。这部电影两大主演都是实力派，韩国可以肆意拍摄政府题材，可拍的点太多了
这部同一类型里不算惊艳，挺中规中矩的，当然演员都是好演员。
本就是韩国民主化进程中最波澜壮阔的时期，但就电影本身来说前半段观感一般，类型化处理也有待商榷，后一小时才渐入佳境
普选民主当然没有错，只是这有实现的前置条件，哪怕在21世纪的今天，依旧任重而道远。
韩国政治传记类电影，除了讲历史还讲人物，情感才是故事的灵魂，两位男主是上下属也是朋友同僚，可是做事的方法伦相反，最后朋友反目，一个简单的故事，加上了政治的元素就变复杂了，韩国导演特别擅长在类型电影里塑造有血有肉的人物，讲述人物之间的情感，而很多类似的电影为了追求快节奏和商业性，往往会把重心放在如何更快更刺激的推进故事线，而忽略人物本身，这就不太合适了。
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