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.
8分 2022.01.16 一部很舒服的电影 可以慢慢的品 杰昆和小演员演的很棒 带孩子真是好难
五星还是四星
采访和对话铺满 但异常流畅 那段杰西讲述他眼里的妈妈段落 是我看过最好的
华金凤，这个人就是给你扑面而来的孤独感，骨子里面的孤独，我的天啊！！！！
中文名叫呼朋引伴。在雨天看完，朋友就来家里，晚上和朋友们在地板跳舞，听她们的故事。纵然地球有很多令人内心泛滥的潮湿，可我依旧对这里是沉迷的。
找寻丢失的、丰富的孩子 雨中离开前往机场的车
我们也许通过别人发现自己，也通过自省发现自己。come on，come on
7分，很温情的电影，你照顾别人的同时也是也是在疗愈自己。
think free is much more precious than think itself.
什么是normal？对于孩子的问题的理解是对于自身的成长的回忆，互相的提醒，互相的成就。
叔侄情，兄妹情，夫妻情，母子情。
电影将最普通的元素引领进最现代的短篇习作的容量当中 可是前后的节奏和冲突都将之把亲密连接隐藏在那份歇斯底里的说教当中 这就是导演给出的最为危险的共情
细水般的温柔 不是父子 却可能是我能想到最舒服而亲密的父子模式 黑白画面好干净 光影有了更直观的感受 太可爱了啊woody 好喜欢啊 “it's ok to not be fine”
叔侄情，兄妹情，夫妻情，母子情。
just bc someone isnt like u, doesnt mean that they are wrong.
情绪的不断变化，脆弱敏感又如此吸引人，可以一直一直拍下去。
大量对话的平和片子。虽然是以孩童的视角切入，却觉得更像给大人看的。最后两人在树林中释放大喊的时候很感动。I am not fine and that is a totally reasonable response.
一种优化后的价值观呈现。但这种情感交流的方式真的太迷人，太令人向往了！很像文德斯的<爱丽丝城市漫游>。
PS:华金在小丑爆红后，接的竟是这样一部温柔的作品，他真是个有想法的演员，或者因为有了孩子才选择的这个题材？
有点《爱丽丝城市漫游记》的味道，但是更重情感方面的东西
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