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.
原来瑞典没有全民医保？我以为跟法国一样有处方保险全报销呢…
3.5星，别说，我觉得作为网络电影完成度很高！游戏还原度也非常高！够爽！
有点腻了咱就是说
其实我与高人的性格很像
感情线有点拉垮，儿子有点可爱。
AHDH的科普很好，要去多关心下我的朋友啦
电影版有点流水账吶，副线就没交代，看来还有续集，续集希望恢复到动画水平~
还有瑞典人民怎么也挣扎在贫困线上呀哈哈哈哈哈哈
虽有一定的剧情硬伤，故事也是俗套的屌丝逆袭，感情线部分也略有拖沓，但无碍它作为一部给吃鸡玩家的献礼片。
PS：炮友是真的爱她，不然听到“谢谢”后不会有那种表情。
吃鸡玩家大满足！各种游戏细节太真实了，缩圈我都紧张死了，真人吃鸡爽到飞起，没玩过半年游戏拍不出来。亲情线也很动人，唯一不太行的就是爱情戏，男女主海边一吻把我马上要出来的眼泪生生憋回去了。
其实我与高人的性格很像
对ADHD的症状有了更直观的认识，情绪不稳定的人也许不适合恋爱，但她们可以爱
好看呜呜呜，太他妈好看了，全程get那种，配乐也好。我心里的五星。
还有瑞典人民怎么也挣扎在贫困线上呀哈哈哈哈哈哈
【动画电影】橙花、弗拉明戈、Mi Tesoro、西班牙海鲜烩饭。
看片过程中，我好想帮帮女主啊！影片尝试了多种方式尽力展现多动症青春女孩的状态，挺独特的～另外女二好温柔，炮友小哥也很有型。总体观影体验挺好的～
你很烂，但依旧会有人来爱你。情绪稳定是作为一个爱人最基本的状态，双方得占一个。不要处在孤独和迷茫中，相信爱。现实生活中的“爱”很稀少，很珍贵。但却像“魔法”，不妨坚信着，化为能量。
喜欢切肤之痛的当然也会喜欢这部电影。这些月亮背面的生活，自卑软弱隐瞒欺骗，有丑陋的心思和卑劣的行径，觉得自己是个烂人糟透了，不喜欢自己但喜欢你，所以鼓起勇气向你坦诚，学着弥补，重新开始，然后还收到你的评价“你巨他妈好相处”，哈哈哈，结局有点欢乐。
挺好的 可能是错觉吧 总有几个恍惚的瞬间觉得 有点像亢奋
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