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.
我就是来看孙锡久肉的 之前看melo的时候就独喜欢两导演这条线 这男的性张力也太…🥺另外看了花絮他好可爱哦 果然infp 哈哈哈哈哈哈哈
轻喜剧＋演员对味，导演估计是绿色狂热爱好者吧，还是有点意思的。
先性后爱也算幸运了……更恐怖的是错把性爱当成了爱
孙锡久！！！为什么如此sexy！！！why！！！
55555555什么时候再来一部melo体质嘛(⑉꒦ິ^꒦ິ⑉)
剧本一般 不过两个主角化学反应蛮不错的 不会出戏
We're figure it out ! You never give up ！
是俗套的py变情人，但是看得好开心啊，喜欢全钟瑞
孙锡久和全钟瑞的组合难免有点兴趣，不过片子就是很普通的恋爱喜剧，两人单独的戏都还挺喜欢的
是喜欢的全钟瑞，但不是喜欢的孙玖锡
触及话题很现实啊，现在要找个能安全XJ的男性真的太难了，但就电影的呈现来讲，剧情不咸不淡，是我看完就忘记的类型
很久没看韩式爱情小品了，为这几年我心里最性感的男女演员加多一星，希望他们换个片种再合作
喜欢这部电影轻轻的，慢慢的的感觉。当然本身还是有些太童话了，小姑娘做梦似的。
是俗套的py变情人，但是看得好开心啊，喜欢全钟瑞
2022#2部电影：女主太酷了，洒脱不羁！为了孙锡久来的，该说不说，看得心满意足嘿嘿嘿嘿，多一颗星给他（不过前期写专栏这事是真的混蛋）
并不想谈恋爱，但是想做爱。不恋爱必然孤独，但恋爱太麻烦了，搞不清楚，搞不清楚。别伪装坚强了，其实都他妈寂寞得要死。终究没有忍住，说出了那句……我爱你。比起恋爱，暧昧才是更有趣的。主角也当看看，临时演员也当当，配角也当看看，这样活一生才是真的有意思。该相遇的缘分，终究会相遇。那不恋爱，相爱如何。专属于我俩的，特别的罗曼史。
岁数大了，不适合看励志煽情片，鼻涕一把泪一把
拍性喜剧就认真一点啊喂！白瞎了wuli锡久！
一个全篇老梗的故事，看得我竟然全程姨母笑😆
冲着c9看的 解放日志的短评里某个姐妹的愿望是真的哈哈哈哈（doge）全钟瑞姐姐太有魅力了 好有灵气 演技好！！
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