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.
作为粉丝给五星。剧情展开分支较多，好在都有交代，但最后未汇聚，感觉有些凌乱。
Downton never let me down
老夫人的离去，我在电影院泣不成声，十年来见证了克劳利家族的风风雨雨：
我没看完，想起以前追剧的日子。忽然有点意兴阑珊。过去的就过去吧。岁月在他们身上刻画的痕迹如此的明显，唐家邨也有些老旧了。哎。一声叹息。
最后，男男CP（管家和男演员）给我惊喜！给我好好在一起！！！哦对，配色也很好看，经常是橙蓝，饱和度也高
平凡简单的双线故事：最懂老太太的是马修的妈妈；Mary 回忆马修时，仍带着未曾改变、穿越时光的爱。原来伯爵夫妻之间的爱情是慢慢培养的，并与日俱增再未消减。羡慕所有终成眷属的有情人。我们爱它，因为它体现人的尊严。
现实向我反复确认的是 时间是抓不住的 人会老也会死 没有什么会永垂不朽 我必须要直面这个现实 你看 老奶奶走了 其它人也都老了 我不也是吗
老夫人去世了唐顿庄园就真的结束一个时代了
3.5 标准冲奥系音乐片。泳池里的五线谱令我眼前一亮。为一展歌喉的帅气加菲奶一个来年的影帝提名。
编剧扎实，亮点很多，依然是令人心满意足的结局。音乐方面大有提升，摄影虽然还是没有明显优点，但大银幕的体验弥补了这个弱项。这一部还是很棒的，毕竟角色的气质和服饰美术已经足够令人赞叹。
唐顿很奇妙，本身是怀旧，却又能看到时代的变迁
最后，男男CP（管家和男演员）给我惊喜！给我好好在一起！！！哦对，配色也很好看，经常是橙蓝，饱和度也高
很喜欢这种电影，大女儿的坚守，老奶奶的毒舌。20220523二刷，20220524三刷，太爱唐顿庄园电影了
和一个直男朋友一起看的，他买了最后排的座位。本想摸摸他腹肌而已，没想到把他弄得洪水泛滥——这样有趣有意思的事，值得写进记忆。 “很多人在得知自己身患重病后都会感叹虚度时光，但我不会。”As I am。
迷你剧和第一部都没看过，不影响对内容的理解。剧情的安排和设定像流水一样自然铺开，感觉像是英式贵族传统与新兴平民媒介的冲突与融合，庄园的未来发展暗含更多可能。
唐顿庄园角色三千，我却独宠Thomas一个（好吧其实Tom也挺帅的）
哭了!我的老夫人😭😭.熟悉的BGM响起，我的眼泪止不住啊。早期拍摄电影的场景结合唐顿庄园的转型以及平民阶层的登场，随着老夫人的离去，一个时代永久地落幕了。好想再看看我们人见人爱的大小姐。
520第一次看唐顿，没想到电影院一个人都没有，包场了，唐顿给我和感觉真的很像百年孤独，一代又一代地轮回，也让我感受到为什么保守派会抵御科技，与其说他们抵御不如说他们恐惧，恐惧改革后对他们贵族的影响，家族无法沿续，需要资金修房顶，最后也只能向电影公司天价的租场费妥协
Cora阿姨，我会一直follow你到The end！
前半剪辑节奏有点凌乱无法入戏，后半渐入佳境
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