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.
其实挺好的，除了有点煽情过度，最后的彩蛋也挺好玩的。
两个小时真的太长了，内容又碎又平，看到后面屡屡忘记前面的内容。还有她俩是不是没分清爱情和友情？
美波给人的感觉不一样了。从恋途未卜开始到这里。那种游刃有余。开始转型了吗？这种新感觉也不错。
电影整体的悲剧色彩让BE没有那么难以接受，灾难的主题体现的很好，尤其是片头片尾铅绘的场景，既美且殇。堇，最后的最后，终归大海的一刻，在想些什么呢？
电视叙事的方式和真奈与堇的关系一样暧昧，两个女孩子的气质很适合这部作品的角色，理解了朋友观影后满足地说这里面全是粉丝想看到的美波。
节奏好慢，但很能get到两位女生之间的感情，最后手绘那段竟然看哭了😢
在自由的地方重逢吧。我们（我就觉得bgm好耳熟 是小赖村晶啊
虽然有点虎头蛇尾，但还将就看。不过何时才能正正经经拍点喜剧片？现在喜剧片不整点伤感，社会问题啥的，都不能拍了？
一般，也许有些梗或者笑点没读懂吧，还是鼓励一下啦
喜欢樱花大海和公路的镜头和动画的部分。
人生到处都充满着意外，总以为还有下次，可一次的擦肩而过就永远失去了所爱。在往后的漫漫人生路上，真奈也只能在记忆中与堇见面😭😭😭
我以为它会像一杯挺好喝的茶，喝完就算了，但当结尾与开头的动画衔接起来，被海浪打碎又涌起的气泡，从海面下远远看着那抹黄色的镜头，会是我深刻记住的触动。
这帮东北大哥拍电影永远有股子自我陶醉的味道
感觉叙事太意识流了 动画不错
逝去的人和尘封的回忆如同潮水一样，一波一波涌来。言语之外的那些小细节很值得玩味，只是节奏太太太慢了。
搞不懂最后想表达什么。请问两个小时是想水时长还是怎么滴，无语。美波加一颗星，虽然戏份少得可怜。整个电影台词更少得可怜，莫名其妙。边酱接点好电影吧唉
实话实说，超预期了，本以为小制作，小成本的喜剧电影，看着图个乐子，没想到，太惊喜了吧，里面的笑点一点都不尬的，剧情很流畅，演员演技在线，里面的包袱比开心麻花的那个杀手好太多了，真的，力挺！！！
奔向天空 随河流淌
堇始终没能面对真正的自己，在被海啸吞噬的时候才能在走马灯里释放。雪乃也终究没有来得及表达自己的想法，心里有千思万绪但也被压抑在了婆娑的泪眼里。霓虹金真的很喜欢沉浸在谜语里，反复地折磨自己，导演想要胃疼，但是力度不够，太含蓄了。
节奏太慢了 看的感觉好闷 整体没啥意思 取景和配乐还可以
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