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.
看了一点，发现看过了，原来是2020年动画版本的集合版啊，浪费时间。
冲着当年的夜神月和L来的。整体来看，故事的戏剧冲突不够强烈，可能因为节奏比较慢的缘故，到影片结尾才挑明那个蓄谋已久的阴谋，着实有些后背发凉。
其实还不错，男主70岁了还演动作片也是不容易
半部好片。其实前半部分的切入点和讨论角度挺可以的:为了偏远小岛的发展，掩盖误杀放行犯的污点又算的了什么呢?后半程节奏和讨论点开始混乱，要的太多，兄弟间的关系和猜忌也开始加上了，导致该片主心开始崩塌站不住脚。
前1/3犯罪 + 中1/3黑色幽默 + 后1/3悬疑 + 狗尾。
画面简陋且劣质，看着像20多年前的游戏过场动画一样。想找电影解说看看故事梗概还没找到。来豆瓣看看也没啥长篇的影评...
营救专业户尼森大叔老了，不再营救了，地球球花莫妮卡也老了
营救之王连姆大叔的新片《记忆2022》，廉颇老矣，让人唏嘘不已。一个患了老年痴呆症的杀手还在辛勤工作，最后一单良心发现，完成自我救赎。虽然评分不高，但还是能够吸引我一口气看完。
作孽呀，无罪虽然不比95版的大部头，却也是纯酿了，沐浴更衣就给这个所谓的剧场版，钞能力也不是这样的吧
停留表面，少了些往深处探索勇气，甚至可以往人性再深挖。而且导演好喜欢用全景。
“战争即和平，自由即奴役”，对日本军国主义细思极恐，弄不好隔海相望就真的出现后人类了。片中也不难看出日本人对美国的复杂心态，既崇拜、依赖强者，又渴望摆脱桎梏、完全自主。
连姆·尼森，谢谢你今年连续两部老年特工片让我意识到特工退休已然是一个社会问题……看着老爷爷打来打去还是心疼的
杀了一个又一个，谎话太多圆不下去，好友一号背锅自杀扔无济于事，原来好友二号才是幕后大魔王，出卖了他还想上他老婆。就这么简单，讲那么久干嘛？
【2022.05.21】刚看的时候对画面还是有点不习惯的，不过看了一会还是能接受的，虽然看着动作表情有点生硬，但还是好看的，这个IP很早就知道了，也很喜欢，也看过好几部，这部的剧情深度还是可以的呀！挺有意思的，有时间想去看看TV版的。
虎头蛇尾。噪音是社会的杂音、自私的杂音和无私的杂音。
还是熟悉的味道，而且塔奇克马很可爱；电影世界里的混乱源于米国的贸易战，也点出了日本被米国控制的问题。
为兄弟两肋插刀？哦不不不，为了女人，插兄弟两刀，呵呵
如果是线上打开这部电影，那我只看十分钟就会点击右上角
电影并不是特别惊艳，倒是漂亮国那些人该好好看看，职业杀手都不会对孩子下手！！！
真的很好看这部剧！绝了耶！太绝了！大家快去看！真的很绝！剧情真的很有意思了！
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