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.
电影很不错，但是和国耻迷你屎贱联动，导致的票房有所低，本应是如何我的世界联动？知名度有所可以提升，和迷你屎贱联动，导致知名度有所偏低，我连什么时候电影院播放毫无不知😠
虞书欣配音配的太可爱了😭😭😭😭😭😭心都化了
真的太好看了吧
6.5/10完整却又套路的一部电影，基本上没什么惊喜，又是那套你凝望深渊的同时深渊也在凝望你的理论，中规中矩，尺度挺大，打发时间可以一看。
虞书欣配音配的太可爱了😭😭😭😭😭😭心都化了
Long live Equestria !
独角马，陆马，飞马，三合一的女主小马很可爱！
英文原版的歌曲真的好好听！！说唱部分也超可爱！！！
可以，作为陪娃去看电影的成人，我能看得进去。
超好看！感动的不得了！剧情方面有点不够饱和，歌舞都很不错！小马也太太太可爱了！很期待下一部！
Friendship is literally magic！
We are a circle of pony friends.
omgomgSydneySweeneyomg
总之这是我第一部想在院线二刷的电影，去发现更多G5里G4的痕迹。最后让我们一起喊出——小马大法好！
本来想打三星，看到一个shabi的友邻也打了三星装杯我必须打四星
来个人告诉我，为什么影院全是国配啊！！！我还没看，先打五星晚点再改🥺
陪孩子看的，没想到还挺好看的，就是不知道主角她爸怎么走的？突然笔记本变遗物了，可能给孩子喂水时错过了😭
剧情小朋友挺喜欢的，看完还要求下次再来玩哟，小孩子看的开心比什么都重要
你站在桥上看风景，看风景的人在桥上看你。你装饰了别人的窗子，别人装饰了你的噩梦。
剧情啥的不多说了，比我想象的要好。唯一的不足我觉得是没有交代出陆马的种族天赋，虽然G4说得也不多。以及完全不提cutie mark啊！
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