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.
国外搞BL又不犯法，既然神奇动物拍不出什么名堂，既然卖点都在GGAD，老老实实就拿他俩当主角拍个系列不好吗？好歹剧情给我整明白咯，别硬要塞个神奇动物点题最后搞成个四不像…魔法世界选领导就这么儿戏，血盟在前作里说得很像回事儿似的结果莫名其妙就打破了，Credence也完全是工具人，那个卧底更是让人摸不着头脑…最后，剧情都拍成这样了，就不能找青年组那两位救个场让我圆个梦吗啊椰子？？？好吧全片唯一亮点互摸心跳…以及护树罗锅和麒麟还是蛮可爱的…
首映一刷最大感觉是散，麒麟强设定弱逻辑，克雷登斯从第二部最大伏笔变成纯工具人，邓校的“镜空间”技能挺炫。结尾邓校驻足婚礼外一瞬侧身走开，这幕太棒了，加一星。
很搞笑的一部电影，两个女儿说好看！我也觉得好看！我丑 你也丑 大家都该这么丑！7.5分
這一部作品是在描畫一群動物園的動物，決定了不依賴人類，重新返回大自然的懷抱。
“奇怪国家”这个设定，在电影里形同虚设，尤其对数学家这个人物并没有产生什么和其他人截然不同的影响，几处反映都蜻蜓点水，有点为了贴题而刻意架构有关情节的意思。整体没有什么惊喜。
我，一个刚正不阿的格兰芬多，真的长了对大卫椰子和华纳高管全体阿瓦达啃大瓜的心。
剧情稀碎，除了营销老年人爱情你还能干啥啊能不能好好拍电影了。。无语
我丑你也丑，有这丑东西保护协会我不得混个荣誉会员当当？
把系列电影搞臭应是华纳的祖传手艺，前有哈利波特越拍越烂，后有DC漫画自毁长城
后澳洲大火时代看还是蛮难过的，除了动物和荒漠，疯狂的麦克斯也是澳洲特产哈哈哈哈
温馨 平淡 克制 片子能把师生情和脱北者交汇在一起也很厉害 校内丑闻南北争锋都很容易拍成浓烈繁琐的韩式电影 但片子一直在用一种旁观者角度平静地叙述每个人的故事 既有现实的残酷 又有梦幻的构想 资历再漂亮的演员到了六十岁 还能接到发挥空间这么大的角色都是幸运的 崔岷植的几场戏感染力很强
所以为什么叫考拉大冒险呢 叫丑陋动物互助协会不好嘛
居然还挺好看的😂 丑东西保护协会口号太可了
一部电影，表达了国家、社会、个人三个层面的羁绊，结合的还不错，就算是成功了!
浪费影帝。
说魔法故事，那算了吧
开头是场约会诶（还被删了一句），🤔感觉全篇都是工具人/动物，有点冗长但能接受。※还能和朋友们一起出来看首映~知足了
老崔为啥要接这个电影啊？怀疑是甲方给的实在是太多了
但是韵味能感动人很久很久
我们ggad这对老给子在建中互联网惨失出柜权_(:з」∠)_
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