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.
简单美好的清新小爱情，尤其是最后告白的那小段，一个不小心就被感动到了！
感觉在行和不太行中间，剧情很割裂，这次整了个故事属于是，不懂很多道理，也过不好这一生
学生朦胧的感情其实很简单，感觉也很好。估计勾起很多人的回忆和遐想罢了，多给一颗星。
青春片还得看台湾。突然的彩虹糖非常惊喜哈哈
韩寒下一部电影就没人看了吧。。。越拍越烂。。。无语到了。。。
虽然很有争议 但如果在大银幕上多看过几次她的眼睛 就会懂为什么那么些导演都愿意拍她当女主 最后飞跃的时候一直在想 不会成功了吧？不会失败了吧？但还是喜欢这个结局
为了赛车场景加一颗星。故事略刻意，昊然弟弟被女主拖累，其实和尹正的片段还挺有趣。
郭敬明的电影是屎样的屎，韩寒的这部则是巧克力样的屎。外表再好看，它也还是屎。
就很古老探路的爱情片！看完感觉好浪费时间，明明已经看过五百部了
韩寒真的要寻求下突破了，小镇青年的故事看腻了，书面对话真的是尴尬又做作，昊然弟弟都救不回来的不好！
标准韩寒式电影，堆砌满满不成熟的生活大智慧，但是我们长大了，不再相信了
这个故事里好像每个人都有人爱，只是少有双向奔赴的爱。吃了那个男孩一年的早餐，同时也喝了另一个男孩一年的奶茶，无论如何都会有人受伤，这世界本就没有完美结局。
学生朦胧的感情其实很简单，感觉也很好。估计勾起很多人的回忆和遐想罢了，多给一颗星。
校园爱情片套路情节大全，女主像林依晨和周冬雨的结合体，以及不管怎么看男主的脸演温柔帅气学长太没说服力了
剧情很套路啦，都可以猜得到，但这个饭团看起来都好好吃哦！
看完了，真得很想哭。
哎，虽然一直喜欢韩寒，但是这次剧本不好拍得也不太好。
虽然故事颜值不能说多好多好 但是结果是he🥳诶！ 终于终于有男女主角是有嘴巴的了！！！而且双向奔赴 的温柔学长笨蛋学妹太甜了吧🤪我不管 我爱看
大型韩寒语录朗读会现场。相比起尴尬的台词和莫名其妙的运镜，咱浩存妹妹的演技甚至可圈可点了呢。最本质的问题是拍小镇童话没有任何环境和人物的辨识度，除了赛摩托还是赛摩托，所有的主角加起来还没有黄晓明演的showta哥有共情点。
看两个文青谈恋爱，太幼稚了，真的是不切实际，唯浪漫和爱情至上。这种无脑的爱情故事，再也骗不了我们了。因为我们都已经长大了，明白了爱情和生活，根本不是书和电视剧的那样。
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