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.
雷佳音一如既往演技在线，只是每部戏都挨揍代入感太强我已经在疼了。葛大爷才是完全的意外惊喜啊！去看之前只知道有大头，看过小说和剧，喜欢的题材+喜欢的演员碰撞必须支持，完全不知道其他信息。葛大爷出现喜剧效果拉满，台词气口生动，有他在的片段，全场爆笑如雷。这就是演员，为片子添色不少，光芒甚至盖过了主角。当然，女主和另一位男主拉胯就不多赘述。什么时候男演员才能不认为自己帅回到真诚自然地演戏呢？装逼油腻范儿溢出屏幕实在出戏。
总体看算是挺成熟的类型片，作为看过原著小说的人也能大体上满意改编。
没看过原著的我和看过原著的老公都看的很开心。剧情挺流畅的，完成度也挺不错的，部分改动也还算合理，主题还是中国古代文化，有这种水平我已经觉得非常难得了。
活得久了，一定会开始怀疑，正义和真理真的存在吗？真相和结果哪个重要？
所以才会有这样的小孩啊…………文素丽的戏份也太少了，怎么那么浪费演员
拍的挺生涩的，但是虐心了。勇敢爱，然后又害怕承担不起，本能的逃避，内心又煎熬。青春就这样在想念与痛苦中转瞬即逝了……
哦还有，那首林二汶的主题曲还不错，青春片贡献好听的主题曲似乎成定式了
不太适合修改成电影，太赶落了，全靠雷佳音和葛大爷强撑着
感觉是导演拍到85%后觉得这样稍微有点太白开水太浅，于是强行加戏。老师这个角色也是鸡肋，虽然演员很棒。
勉强算是一部合格的爆米花电影，尽管每个谜底的揭晓都如此潦草，谜面设置也让人提不起太强的兴趣，但好在节奏快，囫囵吞枣的也能跟着看下去。
非常類型片化，但是如果以《尋龍訣》做對比，又明顯差上一截，故事講得有些平，高潮戲有些許寡淡。迷霧重重，懸念迭起，人心難辨，故事馬伯庸味很十足，一環套一環佈局精巧。葛優依然是四兩撥千，雷佳音、辛芷蕾對角色完成得也不錯，最大驚喜是阿如那，誰能想象《驢得水》中的小銅匠也能演一個機關算盡又暴戾乖張的角色呢？
从加害者家长的角度去看校园暴力，让人备受震撼和恐惧。
2.5。17年的片子因为演员私德问题现在才放出来......片子切入角度不错，完成度却不太行，总感觉差一口气，除了薛景求，其他演员都像在打酱油。
每个场景都拍得不咸不淡，情绪还没到位就转场了！几次反转也无法让人意外或者触动，实在是浪费了一个好故事和强大的卡司～ 3
联想到最近看的《被讨厌的勇气》
做被害者容易面对自己的良心可以大声谴责别人，但如果你的儿子是加害者呢？"你们比孩子更可恶"
想学《母亲》？
东亚典女同 我个人觉得是很匹配的……看到短评这么多顺直的朋友挠头我内心：是的ntxl真的就是这么疯
漏洞太多，施暴场景非必要但也足够震撼，一切都直指最后的反转吧…其实可以拍得更好一些
工于设局 但不善解谜 重大剧情推进要靠台词我也是醉了 还不如让许愿一路历险 有女郎 有前辈 有宿敌 做个中原·琼斯来的痛快……
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