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.
尴尬幼稚，我好后悔给了1一颗星，让我找不到更低的分给2了。
没看过原版电影，感觉还不错啦，虽然不喜欢结局。立刻去补电影
明明该很有趣，但是每个情节的推进都很无聊
Make macho a Saturday night BBQ... 😂东木老爷子要保重身体呀！
熬夜看完了，以后的万圣节可能会拌Wednesday Addams🦇
动画家庭片happy ending 跟娃一起看 剧情很弱 但娃很喜欢
虚假的儿童动画：和谐友爱的家庭；真正的儿童动画：闷杀弟弟，肢解，斩首
有说续集不如前作的，个人感觉相较于前作有惊喜。有些创意不错的，不过也算是烂尾吧，就图一乐。不过还是吊打迪士尼最近复制粘贴出来的东西
3星，东木大爷的小成本片， 老爷子演了一辈子戏。经典无数，烂片也一堆，早已放下了名利释然一切，片子简单欢愉，体现了 老爷子的自得其乐。有这份老年人的童真乐趣，想不长寿也难啊。
既黑色又可怕，但是竟然看下去了，还有点感动。大咖配音，BGM还这么好，看来是个很著名的流行文化。想看第一集了，不正常却又很正常
【3.5】简单真挚，仅仅讲述一段温柔的旅程。东木能一直坚持拍下去，就是之于一位创作者最美好的事情。
没有第一部好笑，弟弟镜头好少哦，我好喜欢弟弟吖～
看着很放松，不要带脑子就好了~小妞电影。
总觉得道路两旁的破落小镇有着别样的魅力，掩盖的灰黄色尘土下别样、生动、充满生机的生活，他们就像一位位与时光无关的老人注视着南来北往、西去东来的人与车，静态的生活与动态的社会间奇妙融合。随着年岁的增加，曾经天下行走的骁健牛仔总是遏制不住对往昔的怀念，曾经的慷慨激昂都已过去，对亲人的思念爬满心头。年轻时追逐的玩乐、财富、荣誉都不再重要，回归平静的生活。
没想到这竟然还会拍2，没想到2的剧情比1弱智这么多😐
类似于一些动画片的续集，可以说较为无聊了。
没有第一部好笑，弟弟镜头好少哦，我好喜欢弟弟吖～
真正的直男，91岁手都帕金森还成天编排着大美女排队想睡他
下载看的。可能因为没看过1不知道咋回事，一家人都好诡异，叔叔太恶心了，弟弟太SB了，爸爸妈妈也挺诡异，假妹妹变猪太可怕了，弗兰肯一样的最酷，最后的合体怪简直BT啊。。。
90岁的东木依然活跃在一线，当然在表演上已明显有点力不从心了，不要说动作戏，就连行动看着也有点吃力，但这种热爱电影的敬业精神确实值得敬佩；还是一个英雄迟暮的故事，再加上“父子”间相互救赎的情感内核，当了一辈子英雄，拍了一辈子类型，东木再次玩起反类型，反高潮，仿佛所有的危险都存在于想象中，或是非常轻松便解决，就连最后的所谓搏斗也只像走过场，而重点在于刻画人物关系，非血缘但却胜过亲情，亦师亦友的两人，还有一条看似平淡但同时也非常温情的爱情线；他不再是英雄，不需要自我牺牲，而是非常温柔地给了自己一个圆满的结局。7
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