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.
作为音乐剧倒是没有给我印象特别深的歌曲（机长姐姐的Me and the sky好听！），剧情也比较一般，主要是当年的真实事件很令人感动。在灾难面前，人们确实没办法忍受一直看新闻，而是会想在自己有资源的时候互相帮助，这是不分种族性向甚至动物权益的（穆斯林在那之后确实备受影响）。
十二位演员，十二把椅子，如此精彩！感谢官摄。
bravo！这才是音乐剧！一个沉重的故事能够用诙谐幽默的曲调讲述最后又归为向上的生活，实在是演绎得太精彩！舞美？几乎零成本！导演编排得太妙！在有限的空间去呈现一座小镇在重大灾难下五天里无私的奉献！在灾难面前的团结总是那么令人动容！为什么我们的音乐剧无法去诙谐的缓解伤痛被？为什么伤痛总被刻意加深拷上镣铐无法再提及呢，这就是格局吧，好遗憾。歌也都好好听，泪目了都，喜欢！！
我们可以看到人类最大的善意闪光的同时也能不逃避自私与阴暗面，但是总是向善的。不回避创伤与痛苦的作品才是真正伟大的！这是一部没有任何理解壁垒的片子!太棒了
印象最深的是，有人问起飞机为什么要停在这里，因为可以这里人口最少。
音乐剧差不多是世界上最治愈最鼓舞人心的创作了。
甘德的故事大概就是地球村的美好幻想吧
Fabulous! 灾难面前，善心和爱心会跨越国界和民族界限
911事件后一个偏远小镇接待了临时停靠的几千飞机乘客的故事。可怕的人祸和温暖的人情，疫情后看别有一番感受。最感动的是全部根据真实事件改编，片尾贴出演员和角色原型的合照，让人更相信这世界的温情。
不论你信奉的是哪个神，不论你的人种国籍与性向，在这个不锁门的小岛上，我们都脱下外表的装饰，回归为相互照拂的人类，回归成关心其他生物的一个普通物种。
911之后真正反思外交政策的有作品吗？只有这些逃避大问题，满足点温情的东西吗？
西安疫情lockdown，楼下大喇叭里“请大家保持距离 防止交叉感染” 萦绕不停。面前荧幕里的人们高歌“I’m an islander. I’m an islander.”眼睛里是不容忽视的、充满生命力的光。会好的，我坚信。
发生在纽芬兰小岛上的暖心故事，真是一群可爱的人。p.s.前有《汉密尔顿》，后有《来自远方》，这样的官方录制麻烦多来点好吗！
可惜因为疫情错过了现场观看的机会 这个角度切入这个故事的改编 真的让人无法释怀
911事件导致的连锁反应，人与人在危难之中的互助充分反映了人性光芒，政治立场就不太好评价了，毕竟是美国主旋律舞台剧。
Where there’s doubt,true faith in you
居然忘记评分吗？很喜欢众生相！悉尼还在上，要是疫情好一点挺想看看现场
无论发生什么，我们都应该以一种平等、公正、无畏的态度去面对这个世界。
听了无数遍album之后终于在Apple TV里看了。感动！
9.11二十周年之际看这部展现人类闪光时刻格外暖心，纽芬兰的许多都是人们理想的状态，种族宗教性取向都不再是问题，仿佛不存在少数和多数的概念，小镇的人为在黑暗中的人带来了光，尤其是知道了是真实发生的事件后，更为感动，在这世间还是有美好的人和事存在的，最糟糕的时刻总是最能展现人性，想去世界尽头的甘德看一看。
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