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.
典型的史诗级西部大片。人物很少，没有女人，只有硬汉群像，马，枪，人。剧情很少，虚拟了逃匿在西部农场的老比利小子，和他的儿子，救了一个人，引来一群人，解决完这群人后被反啮。对话很少，几处比较集中的对话，那不是拖沓，是时代的印记，穿插了邦尼的反思、少年的成长、往日的辉煌，值得咂摸。枪战很少，结尾的枪战无疑很出色，突出了历史上比利小子的拔枪速度、步履轻盈、心思缜密。过瘾。
一星半，套上了许多西部片的陈词滥调，而对其内核中的几个主要矛盾冲突避而不谈。全片都在极力唤起观众的西部情调，但就是很难让人相信，这个拍了100分钟的视频叫西部片
搜了一下还真有billy the kid这个人
有感情，但太少了。缺少英雄暮年的悲情，突兀地被杀像是被强加给的悲剧，而不是不可饶恕那样出于自身的迟暮，自然而然的悲情。
好喜欢，很久没看这么有感觉的西部片了，片尾曲很好听
三星半~
剧情有点相似 到走出了另一种方式 或许是亲情的温服让人为之改变 也为之有所牵挂
警官反派演技不够好，取子弹那块儿很明显。基于真实历史人物的改编，其实更像是如果比利小子活到了晚年会是怎样。现在老年版扮猪吃老虎类型的片子也越来越多了。西部片风格还是自己喜欢的。6.8
名字《老亨利》，听着就像一瓶老酒，安静的待在那里，只有打开了品尝了才知道------卧槽。。。。。劲儿真猛！
我的特工父亲他那是被洗脑了
冷静，克制但不拖泥带水，美丽的西部世界，有太多传奇的悲歌
不论节奏、剧情、人物都非常经典的西部片，能想到老亨利不是一般人，但谁又能想到老亨利居然就是比利小子呢
荒野伤者携巨款，父子救人招祸端。
情节够紧凑，不拖沓，有反转，又有不少西部片的影子。
老亨利独自团灭十个杀气腾腾的杀手 ，有些夸张 ，最后却命丧自己救的人之手 ，留给儿子 一笔意外之财 。三星半，片尾曲不错 ！好像老特威提演唱的 ！
又一部细腻、丰满、深沉、张力十足的西部片。前面压节奏徐徐展开，各种细节铺垫、营造出内敛而愈趋紧张的氛围，几乎没有配乐却难掩紧张不安、蓄满了“山雨欲来风满楼”之势。最后对决干净利落，怜子之情自然流露，揭示老亨利的真实身份的同时给片子增添了些许温情与悲壮色彩。近期难得的佳片。
谁认出来了那个🇲🇽人是crazy8?
老派西部风格就是话从不表达完整但枪法一定要准
这年头想看个像《老亨利》这样的西部片都已经很难得了。
以及，老亨利年轻的故事太简略了，没看明白
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