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.
5/10。牛爷爷的故事，把TV版几集粘合在一起，太敷衍了事了！小朋友去电影院看电视上的东西，不知道会不会失望。
这个结局真的贼烂…而且主角的操作着实令人智熄
剧情一般般，开头就猜到了结尾，还是玩烂了的time loop，实在是惊喜不起来
不错，有那味，在cc的剧里能排前三。但13和Yaz的感情是真看不出来，我知道很多人磕。
CC的创作力彻底枯竭只能靠抄旧的设定来苟延残喘，而且还没有能力圆好。新年嘛，喜剧一点倒也没错，只是太没有新意
综合：6.5
虽然有几处炒冷饭，但总体拍的还是不错的，希望大耳朵图图的电影越来越好
刷子和土豆已经是好朋友了
意外的还可以，是我的期待太低了吗//Sarah有点可爱//现在真的一看到Dalek就想笑，按这种趋势我觉得哭泣天使成为笑点也不远了//Ex-terminated！
感觉张小丽越来越好看了 以前也没觉得大龙二龙腿这么长 而且这电影不知道为什么人物腿部的动作那么多啊 大人小孩都晃来晃去的 第一次图图晃觉得可爱 后来所有人都动次数一多就觉得有点像卖萌了 还有！胡英俊和张奶奶说话的时候 为什么要翘着二郎腿还晃荡着啊 这礼貌么
动画的几集放一起整一个电影，我记得图图明明是先认识牛爷爷才去的幼儿园的。
中规中矩吧，但我们的十三姨就要这样谢幕了嘛……还是有点可惜
综合：6.5
嗷嗷 咚咚咚
CC快走吧，这啥玩意？？？老套的时间循环，以及，不要给博士强行加感情戏好伐，如果没有cp感，加感情戏就很坑。
看之前看短评不太好，去看了小朋友挺喜欢的。
我能坚持追下去，全是靠“马上就要换编剧了”的信念撑着
这都是看过的剧情啊，冷饭新炒
lame plots, weak doctor
算是今年较为剧情较为完整的恐怖片吧，气氛很到位，基本没有怼脸的jump scare(除了儿子吓他姐)，母亲为了家也是操碎了心，结尾的小反转还可以，有时候不是happy ending 也是挺不错的。
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