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.
近年来最流行的Why woman kill类作品，可惜过于娱乐了，惊悚氛围就显得不足，但还是蛮变态的，巴基啥时候能演个正常角色啊
无论是人物还是情节，所有设定都极度政治正确，俊男靓女加上唯美构图，其实挺舒适。打算再带着我家未成年少女一起看，告诉她无论对方多么优秀，前十次约会一定要在公共场所，想吃你的有两次就放弃了，坚持到最后的都是惦记你公积金的，所以……找个好工作也很重要。
男主有点....太人性了，他不像是会那么那么人性的人，转折点没那么戏剧化就好了
8 Mar 2022。搞什麼雌競 girls help girls 第一個應該抓住的重點 第二個應該抓住的是 人的複雜性遠超想像 無論是社交平台認識人越來越把現實生活中認識人而感覺到不可思議何況還遇到風趣幽默帥哥這個點作為切入點 還是畫面的美工設計（前身為影視美工專業看到人爽死了的cult剪輯）還是ost 都很好 爽片 毫無尿點！！
就……还成吧 也没什么expectation 肤浅如我只是想看两个主角就可以收货了 剧情有些地方还挺弱智的 刻意的地方也有 歌太多了朋友……
故事拙劣，充满了导演自以为是的符号和象征，廉价地让人频频出戏。第三幕可笑的打斗，让人嗤笑。
心理把控很好，紧张感十足又有一种与变态格格不入却相得益彰的浪漫感揉杂其中。男主极致的希望与他人融为一体及完整的执念，没有得到正确疏导，最终误入歧途。
20220327 周日 15:57 只是我觉得女主演技不对劲还有我奇怪的注意点就她声音有点难听哈哈，此类的自我心灵救赎是真的挺无聊的！
为了吸引观众眼球，给影片制造噱头，特意选了一个生猛的题材，然后再给它拍成遮遮掩掩、小里小气、约约会、谈谈心跳跳舞、加入n多好听bgm的小清新……这做法实在不可取。想看虐杀寻求惊悚感或者想猎奇的人不要期待太高，这片和你预想的可能会不一样。
最后结婚那个梗，竟然有点好笑。因为之前完全没了解过这个电影，真的是在过程中刺激到我了，有些生理不适那种。就，还，挺变态的。
结尾一段才紧凑了起来 靠近男人果然是不行 会变得不幸 关键时刻还是得靠姐妹
小成本暴风雪山庄模式电影，胜在女主不墨迹，干脆利索。
这么个片子还搞什么血腥艺术，砍掉半小时还好点，续集算了吧。致命弯道与德州电锯之类，不能服它的及格分。
大型厌男片，惊悚做的不是很到位，大部分篇幅都在讲爱情
题材不新鲜 放在现在的大环境里 最多算干式熟成
反转一个接着一个的 挺喜欢这种设定的 情节有点淡 女主真有气质
armie hammer传记片，sebastian stan当食人魔也太辣了（此处应有emoji）
哈哈哈头回觉得冬兵这么可爱，女主也怪可爱的，如果不是几个演员撑着以及“旅行”前的部分还算轻松有趣，就这片子的设定...真没法看。另，男主一下子就被找到了是不是有点太简单了。再另，女主闺蜜好像是从事时尚行业的，找去男主家的时候穿的大衣真的好像穿了个小鹿斑比。最后，友谊万岁！
真就及格片；把直男type表现的还是可以的，但是还是没有《汉尼拔》那么艺术性，最多的也就是跳舞了；Daisy演的可以，Seb演变态还挺变态的；剧情还是蛮请不起推敲的。。。
我对于钉子这种东西总有一种恐惧，但是用毒品镇痛这个。。只能说还挺巧妙吧。女主大部分时候像郑秀晶，有几个角度像巩俐
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