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.
听说能看到美丽的藏区风景，好奇过来看看，确实很美啊
偶然看到这部支教题材的电影。摄影很不错，比起前些年看过的几部，完美呈现了藏区如画的风景。几个典型人物的塑造让这所偏远的小学在氛围上像是个乌托邦，艰苦的条件让有的人避之不及，也让有的人流连忘返。真实而梦幻，整体还不错。
全场最高潮点可能就是朗措大哥与盗猎者枪击牺牲，托付学生给韩松了。朗措大哥可惜了。
电影中讲述亲情太过仓促，只是一带而过，感觉母亲出现就是为了推动故事情节的发展，如果能细细展开，效果会更好
男主演技不错，哭戏也比较自然，还有女主，一举一动真的像藏族少女，完全不做作，剧情一般
挺能带动情绪的，温馨的地方搞笑的地方还有让人想哭的地方，情绪都被牵着走了
现实中有些支教为了那些山区的孩子，确实付出了自已的青春。给我们带来了更多的是感动。
虽然很喜欢这部电影，但还是想说太突出男主角了，女主的心理活动描写的少之又少，感觉她比男主更加有人格魅力
电影中的男主处理起任何事情来都得心应手，就很优秀
没想到这是这个导演的第一部作品，除了剧情有点强行悲伤之外，其他都非常好，也给我们展现了藏区的美丽的景色
还可以，个人蛮喜欢这样的电影，前期看起来舒服，支教老师确实很不容易，看到后面压力有点大，有比较多的天灾人祸，情绪起伏比较大，人生也是这样吧，抵挡不了的事，那只能接受
但这种片子可不像长津湖，你好李焕英这样赚钱吧
这个导演挺会抓观众的泪点的，但是吧，情节还是做的不太严禁
孩子们一声声的老师也太窝心了，老师舍不得孩子们又回来那一幕挺感动的
真心佩服支教老师啊，不过孩子们也都是天使，非常能理解老师的心情
今年5月去了西藏，那辽阔的草原，蔚蓝的天空真的让人难以忘怀。再看《藏草青青》一下子就把记忆拉回了西藏。影片中的支教老师有着教师崇高的师爱，身上有力量，有善行，正应了教育家陶行知先生的“捧着一颗心来，不带半根草去”的奉献精神。老师的最大成功不是教出了多少考高分的学生，而是教出了比自己还伟大的人，体现对人的成长服务的精神。破防的电影，因为太真实，又太跌宕起伏，反映的只是生活真实的部分，却仍然能够打动人的内心深处。
“教师是太阳底下最光辉的职业。”韩松老师做到了，无愧于“教师”这个称号
确实有一种蜡炬成灰泪始干的感觉，希望每一个人都能遇到像韩老师这样负责任的老师吧，但是可能少之又少吧！
男主那演技真的是绝了，特别是母亲病重那段，哭的那叫一个撕心裂肺啊
开始的时候都不容易，有多少人能坚持住呢？坚持住之后能付出多久？付出之后的回报又何时能见到呢？但是主角见到了，他是幸运的
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