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.
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不想那么多隐喻，仅是为了纪念人类历史上的一次壮举，拍村庄和风景让叙事没那么单调，有几个大画幅超美！为了知道机位是怎么安排的还有结尾云雾是刻意还是恰巧，要找些幕后故事来看。#BJIFF
Avant-première du 11 avril à Centre Pompidou avec Julia. 向看惯爆米花的她解释这部真的很戛纳。伪纪录片风格的虚构真实，根据勘探者找到世界第三深的洞的真实历史改编。最喜欢医生检查牧民身体与工作者深入洞穴中探测那段的穿插，岩壁犹如器官般的被侵入者的头灯反照的熠熠生辉。映后摄影师在现场交流，提到剧中的牧民和影片中一样已经离去了。唤起了我 Une nostalgie écologiste.
太浪漫了，这就是爱情理想的模样吧。虽然作画看得出来在省，但是最后山丘告白做得很高光，这故事停在这里也很完美了。
走在三里屯恍惚了一下毕竟昨天早上还在云南小镇里，结果发现看这个好合适哦，意大利南部小村和德钦山川异域风月同天
然而，燃烧总是需要燃料的。画面每每从狭窄昏暗的洞穴转向开阔明丽的山色，转向昏倒衰微的老人。大概他们正是文明的祭品。
但素好浪漫……里面西条高人的小表情好多啊好可爱
BJIFF2021 这其实是一部精神情色片。人类见着洞就想要一直往深处钻。有天然精神快感。
弗兰马汀诺再一次以领袖的身份宣示了慢电影的姿态。他像梭罗一样告诉我们：工业向上，电影向下。到达洞穴时那快乐的手势和死亡到来时的平静交织，最终在云雾缭绕中听到那不知从何而来的声音，像是一种天启。慢电影最终是一种超验主义。
遇见你之后的世界终于变得五彩斑斓，日复一日也开始拥有特殊的意义。我真的会哭亖😭😭😢😢😢😭
不可复制的观影体验。声音做得太好了，细微而丰富，风声和着牛铃声，洞里的水滴和回音，奇妙而悠远。全片没一句对白，也没什么复杂的剧情，但探索地心本身就已经足够动人。
啧啧啧怪纯情的……get到外公的性感
西班牙篇好无聊啊 日本人用弗朗明戈舞表达爱意看得我笑了 而且没看错的话还有野战？
こんなに切なくて ただ綺麗で
3.5，山顶是自由之地，但洞穴不一定是地狱之门。回归电影本来的模样，静默诗意的影像足以叙写古往今来人们对大自然的卓越探索，时间同电影的胶片同向转动，后人或许只看到前人珍贵的手迹、立下的碑牌，但世界与人生之变的见证者还有天边的云、常新的树、老人的皱纹、空谷的回响。
这部有关空壳人的台词说得很精彩，也阐释了一种美好爱情的存在期望和意义。
佛罗明戈舞，柳橙花etc.
相较tv版非常失望了，舞蹈画面制作不用心就算了。虽然高人是傲娇那挂的，但也不至于情商低到摘掉戒指伤害恋人的心意吧？还有那个强制情节简直了……
西班牙背景还是带着点异域风情的，不过还是有点悬浮，毕竟一个外国人在基本无基础的情况下十天学会一种舞种也太离谱🤔
如此纯影像纯概念的片子，喜欢的人是会赞美其精巧，不喜欢的人是会睡着。
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