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.
作为电影来讲确实不咋地，但男女主的表现都蛮好的，好爱全钟瑞啊~
周一上班前就是要看色色的电影 嘿嘿！ 男女主都长了张很欲的脸 台词大胆但最后又走向俗套 咱们东亚爱情电影能不能敢想敢做了？
孙锡久！！！为什么如此sexy！！！why！！！
很好笑，这个结尾不能算俗套吧，爱上炮友也正常，何况谁要是摇一摇能摇出这种长得好又好玩的男网友和女网友，切拜了 7.5/10
全妹太可爱了，最有趣的桥段大概就是孙锡久帮她偷走了前男友婚礼现场的礼金簿，“这样他一辈子都不知道谁给了多少钱，不是很难受吗？”
交友APP实际就是约P啊？心照不宣，见面就干？厉害了
确实很套路，有些梗蛮好笑。以及，孙锡久是位好演员，难以言说的吸引力。
两位演起这种爱情戏简直是信手拈来 故事不算新奇 但化学反应很妙
小品电影 孙锡久的魅力似乎没完全释放出来 哈哈
作为电影来讲确实不咋地，但男女主的表现都蛮好的，好爱全钟瑞啊~
孙锡久笑起来单眼皮可太迷人了！！！整部剧尤其前半部分感觉都在靠台词抖包袱，还有那个未婚妻前辈是什么鬼角色，第一次就算了，还有第二次？？？“爱的情感 十几岁时在脑子里，二十几岁时在心脏里，三十岁以上就从肚脐眼往下走了。”😅
因为你长得最像没得性病的！
都市现代人的爱情产生的来源——软件 片中有蛮多有意思的对白 基本上全程都在对话 这部导演摒弃了自己独特的风格 拍的蛮爆米花大众化的 全钟瑞那脸那演技就真的很灵
如果最后男女主角不是he，就在女主让男主社死之后截然而止，就能再加一星。
合格的都市小品，很出彩的男女演员，太喜欢这两位啦
整个电影都是靠全姐和孙锡久撑起来，剧情和叙事真的很普通。
home of brave，land of dream.
演员挺好，题材也有点意思，拍得头重脚轻。前面几次见面对话还有点火花，结尾太水了。
故事平铺直叙，大部分场景都是描述爱情家庭，看不出和其他草根球员有什么区别，至于为什么这么屌不得而知，也许是天赋吧
全钟瑞自从燃烧后的表现从没让人失望，除了最近的纸钞屋太过套路外，本片是个俗套的外壳，有些实话在女主嘴里说出来却共振，没有人永远神采奕奕，更多的是无聊与折磨，日复一日的日子里希望有人会碰见灵魂有趣的那个人吧
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