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.
剧情有bug 后半截也有泪点 配角的化妆太次 整体编剧还是用心的
一直认为是个网大，结果……还不如网大故事做得好
意外得还不错，小成本片有时真的很有味道。最后的结局有点残忍。以及前面的弟弟也太炮灰了吧！
早已经没有看到第一季时候的热血和感动。光是作品本身。就已经早都不知之前有趣了。更不用说其他的。可惜了
54秒爆炸 我整整看了10分钟，你考验我智商嘛
作畫和分鏡都很流暢...三位角色各別戰鬥的畫面是有熱血感.小小吐槽~蜘蛛人終於學會天馬流星拳了,這些危機在聖鬥士面前根本不算什麼!包含女主XD.
项氏的完成度还是不错的。
氛围感是有的，演员也请的不错，但故事讲的一般般，镜头就像东拼西凑出来的，一会儿突然转场，镇长爆的也挺突然，虽然悬疑恐怖加破案，元素拉的满满的，但内容实在没达到预期。
编剧: 简士耕
在网大中应该算是比较突出的了，剧本还差点感觉，但是环境氛围确实是营造的不错，国产网大往这种方向发展，比有些院线电影真的好的太多了。
有一个镜头非常棒（吓人）。
这么多主打温情的电影都不会让我哭，甚至让我觉得尴尬，但是没想到一部网大居然让我和我舍友哭了
槽点比第一步多啊！这种环境里的人还都喜欢深更半夜在林子里混？还有那把枪是什么枪，能连发6、7发子弹？小舢板上站这么高？不应该单膝跪才稳？
制作可，剧作真不可，跟水形物语海报色调简直一模一样啊
不懂，韩栋的角色是打了个酱油吗🤣🤣
水猴子是弟弟的设计很难让人相信！这样的遗传病实属🐮不得不说其他情节设置还是挺好的
导演一路黑暗镜头，看的真费眼。几乎没有白日戏，难道恐怖最厉害的不是心理而是夜晚么？
54秒爆炸 我整整看了10分钟，你考验我智商嘛
还可以！女主不错。水怪（清河）死了还挺伤感！
简单的讲清楚了故事，实属难得，影片基调定位很准确。
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