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.
还有这种类型的电影
有些拍摄手法比如鱼眼广角是有趣的，但是大部分故事线动机都非常薄弱…救赎的合理性也没有讲的很清楚…爱情线也太突兀了…
5/10给我这种观影体验的今年只有两部，一部是《算牌人》，一部是《热带往事》。自带一种迷人的氛围，但这种氛围究其根本却让人觉得冗长无比。影片有一股日式黑暗的氛围（导演曾拍摄过《三岛由纪夫传》），由一个糜烂的创口开始过往，一切如图鱼眼镜头般变形成不可逆转。扑克牌牵扯一种连锁反应，和故事形成轴转体系，但故事如此朴素真不应该。
15-022英国《算牌人》
8.2/10 锋芒尽收，新旧表里被高度统一在数字摄影的迷离平面上，直至最后一个镜头定格在男性符号的隔断破除。今年最好的奥系电影（也当然与奥斯卡无缘）
有當年看落日車神的觸動感，真男人的感覺。這部電影的影像語言讓我感覺他就是一部電影，影像克制但必要時直入心靈，編導演皆好，原本台灣的宣傳弄得像一部B級娛樂片似的，好險剛好趕上全台灣最後一場放映，幸福。
和PTA处女作《赌城纵横》一样，几乎没有展现炫酷的赌博技巧的场面，赌博只是背景板。和保罗施拉德一贯的作品风格，创伤过往的主角，自我毁灭与救赎。监狱虐囚部分的夸张鱼眼镜头有意思，但总体完成不如《第一归正会》。奥斯卡伊萨克梳个大背头还是颇有赌神那神韵的。
像《出租车司机》一个社会边缘愤怒而忧伤的人，又像《海边的曼彻斯特》一个困在悲惨回忆中的人。有胡子的奥斯卡和没胡子的奥斯卡完全是两个人。
要不是因为Issac 不至于看这片 太催眠了
不过有一说一，威廉达福又摆了一个全新角色在我面前，这大叔戏路真的好——————宽。瑞思拜。
两段扭曲的鱼眼镜头加分，可惜的是后来电影跟德州扑克没啥关系了，我就是来看德扑的啊
虽然节奏感有些迷，爱情线有些画蛇添足，架不住这依旧是部迷人的电影啊。和first reformed有一脉相承的风格，但可是强多了。配乐太棒
Oscar Isaac is FINEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
3.5, 除了节奏慢点还行，有点马丁风格的醉乡民谣，poker场面没看够
很温柔的一种拍法，牌桌与现实并行的剧作结构，围绕压力转移的概念，战争创伤另辟蹊径的表达，把一场十分温情的戏放在一个看似五彩斑斓但是冷冰冰的数字化景观中，也无异于男主色调单一的世界。扭曲或者间隔暴力场面，遭遇无法被重现，置于现场才会真正理解，是电影永远无法抵达的地方。牌算得再好，人也拗不过情绪。只是觉得爱情戏过于跳脱
关于赌博和虐囚部分都很不错 但主角帮助男孩和放弃比赛的动机仍然缺乏必然性
歌不错
一开始觉得声音和监狱走廊的拉伸感蛮好的（质地接近升级版的广角麦芽糖？），但后来感觉这些乍看新奇的东西被很多倒胃口的设计拖下水了（比如说那种近似中国城市夜景的灯光秀）…… 在保罗施拉德的作品里比较次等。
累。。PTSD赏析，看完累到不想写影评。。
主题和算牌的关联性有些不明所以。顶尖的算牌人理当由细节及微表情洞悉他人内心，可终究没看清一个嫩头青的决绝。自我的救赎终究不能心平气的和完成，身受才能成全感同，罪与罚才得以消解。整体来说故事节奏较慢，圣母式的设定没有可信任的基础，爱情来的突然，以爱结尾更有些莫名其妙，并不算很吸引我的片子。
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