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.
就记住了一句
这片子还真不难看来，有意思，节奏把握的也好。
主题曲节奏还挺喜欢的，尤其鼓点，广场那段唱歌的戏最喜欢。小男孩追梦过程想到了年轻时的自己，感觉好真实。非常好看的一部戏。有轻松有感动。
网剧中算好的吧，为什么六分不到。不带脑看看挺不错，也不尬。除了一两个重复的戏码
为开了智的细腻温柔的孩子打四星。为何有些娃还在玩泥巴
作为一个电影，其实完成的还不错，没有想的那么差，讲父子情的，穿插了很多其他的元素在，是个聚会的时候当个背景音。
艺术，友谊、梦想、再异样的个体也有闪闪发光的机会。他们的童年看这个，我们的童年….。
中规中矩的迪士尼小鬼头歌舞片，我是来看菲比的，老了很多啊，唏嘘
没什么大内容的快乐电影，但是还真的挺欢乐的。
崔志佳的电影看过几个，编剧能力还是有的，但是不知道是不是小品看多了，怎么看怎么像个大号的小品
和男主的选择一样，我也想有一份自己真正喜欢的工作。
笑点在线，低俗套路，腾讯推的是下饭神剧，也确实很下饭呐
7. wss的梗玩了好多次我真的會笑倒。 有趣老套的追夢故事加上是不是讓你awww一下的溫情橋段。Joshua還是演戲吧，寫歌你還是慢慢來啊。
能看下去那种，说实话演技是没毛病，比好多大制作演技真实，但是故事比较平
佳佳作为男主感觉还是有点镇不住场子。看着结尾似乎还有续集。
歌舞有点少，也不是很惊艳。顺便说一句，谁说站在光里的才算英雄？(手动狗头)
远比一般院线喜剧电影好笑得多，故事完整性也高，腰子姐魅力十足~期待下一部老板和父亲合作经营烧烤店干翻小李！
感觉还不错，剧情挺有意思的，尤其是结局哈哈哈哈
这是在干嘛？？除了傻和毫无表演技巧nate没有任何特色😅这也能强行选中啊😅
崔志佳自导自演了一个不错的片，秒杀一众东北片，我被崔志佳圈粉了。
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