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.
愿有情人终成眷属 抵得过生活的琐碎 于平凡中不忘最初的梦
虽然网大，但是男女主表现很舒服，马瑞的紫霞很自然，就是网大妖怪的特效真的恶心（几个女演的基本素养属实高隔壁王晶新倚天屠龙那几个女郎）怪物特效咱不吐槽，但是声音你不能换个素材包嘛？（只有恐龙吼？）
剧本感觉串的蛮好！作为不知名电影的话，感觉很好了，不算消费情怀！值得一看！
这个女主很漂亮，古装扮相也好。吴孟达出场时间不多，弥足珍贵。男主的大圣造型有点糟糕。剧情还可以，尤其蚂蚁精大战部分，有一种感觉，好像大话西游的角色来到了星河舰队的片场。
虽然里面充满了各种港片也好，现在各种电影的桥段“借鉴”，但他都是有设计的，不是无脑抄，最让人开心的是这个编剧绝对不是董玮肯定是8090后的狂热大话迷，他们把很多当年的一些电影里的遗憾和憧憬都做了合理的致敬与弥补，这些细节就像是彩蛋，也变得更像是真正的前传
特技三毛粗糙，悟空造型雷人，
有很多细节不禁怀念起经典大话西游的一些回忆，特效做的还可以，剧情逻辑没太大问题，男女主也没让人太反感，达叔的出现，也算是与星爷再次重逢吧，相同Ip 的梦幻联动…
如果不抱着重温经典一样的期待，这部电影就能给你一点惊喜
都2022了，还再蹭《大话西游》，哎！创作啊！创不出了。说着一些大话西游的台词，再看看那几位老演员，2022了，我们倒退的不止是电影。
作为网剧还行，不过也就2星半，炒大话西游的冷饭，但只有皮毛而已，好在男主和女主还行，达叔也不错，也是告别之作了。
粗看还有点那么回事，细看则不行，比如紫霞扮演者
没有想象中的烂！果然还是得看内容，这个紫霞我很喜欢
虽然制作粗糙，但是剧情很好，在网大里算是佳品。
忽然发现某些古典模式的情恋故事（当然现在的那些是不是古典还很难说…），不经一点认真的整理是很容易奇奇怪怪的
有人说解释了周星驰那一部的感情戏，没看出来解释什么了
忽然发现某些古典模式的情恋故事（当然现在的那些是不是古典还很难说…），不经一点认真的整理是很容易奇奇怪怪的
穷得让人心酸，但是故事真的还不错。。。如果有钱好好拍拍就好了，我喜欢这个剧本，多给编剧一颗星
就是说还可以。服化道不行情理之中，演技还行过得去。
及格分全是看在哪达叔面子给的，其他完全是垃圾。导演自作聪明的加入了很多拙劣的无厘头笑点，愚蠢至极
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