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.
谍战片，假夫妻成真的经典套路，演员还是比较脸谱化，谁是共党谁是特务一眼就能看出来
情节引人入胜，男主很有银幕魅力。可能由于时长的关系，对于二人感情的发展没有过多着墨，后来者《潜伏》弥补了这个缺憾。老电影里女特务看起来都比较有魅力
最近爱看这些红色革命老电影，还每每热泪盈眶。回首自己年少轻狂，喟叹沧海桑田
最后一句电文是最大亮点。
这片就不该网盘见的，压抑、黑暗，没想到会是硬汉侦探的感觉，罗伯特帕丁顿这次挺帅。大屏幕看过后加一颗星，一定要影院看啊。
上色版的怀旧味道更浓，一闪一闪的颜色和滴滴滴滴声太提神！没有打瞌睡看完全片，喜欢这种浮夸的怀旧表演～
很确定这电影漫威拍不出来。
那时候的国产片就爱往里面塞各种各样高昂的歌曲。
3.5再多0.5给演员们的努力，影片为了在视觉美学上的统一不停地去做减法，编剧树立反派角色形象也是一直在偷懒，体育馆高潮段落也让我摸不清头脑，甚至想要努力给导演找补，竖屏视频太有时代烙印了，最后结尾你以为他在看你吧，不他在看美女
无数个缺点，难掩孙道临来去匆匆的几个背影。
3星给配乐画面和情怀吧，不是粉丝的我睡过去了三次
三星半
2022-3-19 成龙杜比影院二刷
最后被电影彩蛋气到！傻傻等到最后的只有我！
跟方的颜值一样，不上不下的，三个小时真的太漫长了
节奏很舒缓很老派，不像是这个年代的电影更像有上个世纪的风范，但并不觉得很漫长，只是正反派都缺少一点魅力，神探狄仁杰辛苦了，为国为民的。
孙道临-李侠，密码专家。同志们，永别了。我想念你们。延安颂
无意义镜头也不少
最近爱看这些红色革命老电影，还每每热泪盈眶。回首自己年少轻狂，喟叹沧海桑田
只是蝙蝠侠总感觉什么也没有阻止，只是不断想挽回些许谜语人的把戏，到最后都是如此，有些可惜。
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