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.
虽然香港的动作片日益摆烂，但总会时不时冒出一部很好的爱情电影，非常好看，看得过程中会情不自禁地鼓掌，甚至在家发出返祖叫声，拍得太好了。我上一部看的拍得特别棒粤语爱情片，还是3年前《过春天》！
学生时代，总有一些人、一些事，让我们不顾一切；长大之后，才明白我们无能为力，终将妥协。
崆峒深柜把姬佬耍的团团转啊哈哈哈哈哈，什么30岁没有结婚我们就结婚，诶我就给你来个30岁前结婚，合着拉拉最爱的是和男人结婚是吗
对奢侈品无感的人，属实不知道高奢贵在哪的人可以看看本片启启蒙，对于高奢品在质感这块和世界的参差会有个直观的认知
-我不要将来。我觉得现在就很好了。-我也觉得是。
The accent feels like wearing a fake Gucci sweater that stings.
雷德利·斯科特的家族传记，非常好的题材有一点浪费，Gaga和杰瑞德·莱托完美的表演，直到后面我才意识到Paolo是杰瑞德·莱托。
以及我不理解为什么要在女同性恋纯爱情片中加莫名其妙的男性角色、结尾为什么be我get不到逻辑。😅
好一个狗血的豪门家族，好一群二货的家族男人。。。古弛被杀两年后，范思哲也步了他的后尘，好危险的时尚界
不敢相信这是老雷的水平，故事能讲成小学生作文似的通篇流水账而且断断续续不连贯生硬转折的地步……Gaga的演技有点尬尬……好奇这片子用的什么设备拍的，夜店戏一度以为是用Iphone拍的，还是60帧😓
也有一刻怀疑为啥要拍出来 一堆假人扮gucci 就感谢科普吧
后面完全崩坏莫名其妙 但是放你们东亚ntxl里又很合理（
整部电影看下来，就记一身华服的LADY GAGA 脖子显得好短～
我好喜欢前半段他们在一起的画面，喜欢就是不停地亲吻与触碰。
这叙事节奏…要看睡了，后半截全是快进看的；妆造场景很贵；最开始的司机演的青涩感真的好好，几乎是整容式的演技，和洗车伙伴在一起喷水的场景可爱到lovable！；嘎嘎演技又进步了；两个人演出青年时期的羞涩和炽烈真的让人入戏
雷老爷子片子中最无趣的一部。哪怕是作为奶粉钱，这个除了时装、配饰、艺术品外没什么亮点的片子被流水账式的剧本拖入了泥潭之中。
小时代流....看到雷霆佳佳抱着情人哭又让她离开 我真是风晒干了沉默
首先剧情的真实性就有点问题，人物行为有逻辑可是极度幼稚，所有男性角色都像是gaga的大玩具，这种为了突出女主角就把所有锅丢给一个外人的刻画，对历史真的是很不尊重的；另外呈现的效果也完全是流水账，结婚、传家、内斗、崩盘每一个节点，都和电影里的时装秀一样突出一个随便拍拍。表演方面，莱托妆画的不错，但明显用力过猛，其他人的发挥也没什么值得称道的地方...不推荐任何人观看。
看得出来嘎嘎女士是在努力凹口音了，但这片子拍的也太平淡了，就是把坊间轶事按时间拍了一遍而已，漫长的观影过程让我感觉极度枯燥，直到片尾出字幕，居然真的是雷老爷子拍的。天呐，老雷为什么会在拍出《最后的决斗》同一年又拍出这样的片子，我不理解，太糟糕了
我好喜欢前半段他们在一起的画面，喜欢就是不停地亲吻与触碰。
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