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.
前半段其貌不扬，甚至都想关掉放弃了，没想到进入中间部分整个起飞，出人意料的好看，主角智商在线的惊悚片也是不多了，算是惊喜。
世界越来越阳痿了，这一年来看的恐怖片，质量是真不行，又浪费了一个半小时。
莫斯科男子😄😄😄
很一般啊，黑人老兵出门没带脑子啊，还说把车钥匙藏起来大家就能活~大概没听说过满清十大酷刑吧~再说留一个活口不就好了~后面直接快进了
反派不补刀与主角同罪，期待了半天的逆转期待了个寂寞
真是没什么东西拍了，只好找个亚裔女来炒冷饭
女主很在线，脑子很清楚，这件事告诉我们，不要相信陌生人。后半截节奏乱了，有些拖沓。
女主如果不是后期武力值爆表，她那把“我的天啊我发现了车里的小女孩到底谁是绑匪是不是你是不是你”心理活动刻在脑门上的眼神表情真的挺讨厌的
我觉得对于小成本做的真不错诶，就是推理弱了点。但是因为选用华裔，加一星。
I do have some reputation:)
No.Exit.2022.2160p.DSNP.WEB-DL.DDP5.1.HDR.HEVC-MZABI
中规中矩吧，不特别出彩，可以一看。亚裔女主很不错哦！
小成本，有限空间，人物特征鲜明，剧情矛盾突出。
22年的片可以了，女主表演细腻，惊悚部分不傻，比想象中好，评分有点点低了
这漫长而惊悚的一夜啊…反转不断，真的很刺激了！！！
紧张的氛围和反转还是不错的，只是细节上有些许bag，不过能理解，值得一看
3星女主 2星JAY 负一星 扣给万年不变的警察脑残定律
3星女主 2星JAY 负一星 扣给万年不变的警察脑残定律
明知大雪封山走不了，坏人是谁都不明确何必急于拆穿，除了这点其他还算正常吧，女人时刻怒目圆睁的样子吓人
还行，有一说一反派挺帅的。那个钉子钉进手腕里……好酸爽，只能感叹女主血好厚啊，被打摔下滑坡撞到树还被喷防狼喷雾（大概）然后被钉枪钉手腕然后撕扯再后来还出车祸最后还被警察打了一枪，真血牛了属于是。
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