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.
温暖简单的故事，感觉有点童话的味道。
白老头也一样是囚徒，一个口哨就证明了。每个人都是囚徒，能力强些的还有机会给你选是否升一级
有钱果然是可以为所欲为的. 不过女主为什么会喜欢上男主, 有点莫名啊
很有张力的电影。年轻人在理想和野心之间的挣扎，电影人在社会关怀和影史套路之间的摇摆。
学渣在扫地僧的帮助下独立奋强…又扯到南北关系。
老戏骨风范依旧。
我们不曾看过朝鲜电影去表达对统一的表达，并不代表朝鲜的人民不想，只是他们发不出声音而已。同样，我们也是闭嘴了许多年的民族，很多问题不是没有，它存在，只是我们选择掩盖……
其实该是三星半 很喜欢老师对于学数学的态度那段话 掺杂了政治因素进来稍微有点无奈 对于剧情的推动有作用又好像没作用Otz
这片子后劲有点大的，开始觉得是寓言，想想又觉得就是纪实文学。身处没有希望的阶层和社会环境，个体利益来说，男主做的也不过是大部分人都会做的所谓最好的选择，想为自己开脱理由太多了。“不差我一个”“我不这么做别人也会”，熟悉吗？
人口贩卖真是罪大恶极啊。
以演讲来撑起全片高潮还是略显单薄了。比较平庸的一部。
这几个词放在一起就很性感
因为一个人，改变一个人。两个人互相因为对方改变了自己，走上了不同的人生道路
get到的点是，韩国电影的温情，数学之美，少年大叔同样缺失又互相治愈，忘年交，π的演奏曲...
原来数学也可以这么有趣！前半段我真是太喜欢了！
这里不是监狱，却比监狱更加黑暗。人性都是现实的，其他三个人不是可以抗拒诱惑，而是根本没有得到诱惑的机会。导演真敢拍。
挺温馨的片子，崔叔的电影还是一如既往的有质量保证
描写的很真实，人都是为自己考虑的，在泥潭一样的世界里，你会做怎样的选择？
这只是一个缩影 社会的进步依赖识时务 顺潮流的开拓者 但不应违法 在其他领域同样适用 企业不也是这样运作吗 和卢卡谈判那段印象深刻 通过提高劳动效率来换取所谓的自由 现在各行各业都在整顿 所谓的提高效率 降低成本 服务百姓 纯粹是无限的激发人类潜能 为更上级的人谋福利而已
很套路但还是不错
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