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.
Very unsurprising movie. It’s grand and intricate, in a neutral way
硬核亨利，冷门佳片，很高兴没错过你。片尾曲加分。
解说//软饭男靠富婆奋斗的一生，居然不是老电影，价值观很倒胃口；男主靠傍文青老夫人来到巴黎，结果老夫人自顾不暇嫌他丢人一脚踹开；随后男主便像退婚流的萧炎一样发愤图强迎娶白穷美走上人生巅峰（小报）成功完成打脸剧情，在最璀璨的时刻，贵族戏耍他，小报倒闭了，女友死去了，穷小子终究是幻灭
因为 蒂姆·布雷克·尼尔才看的，小格局西部片，没想到他的真实身份是。。。。
明明是两个世纪以前的故事，但搬到现在核心却一点也不过时。只能说技术在向前飞速发展，而人类却一直在原地踏步（一些国家甚至在开历史倒车...🤨
是好看的。但也不是完美的好看。法语真好听。英文字幕的关系也没有完全懂。男主是真的美，身材也好。可惜全片没有值得喜欢的人……现实主义真的太现实了吧…… 现在看也并不过时，人红是非多，到新闻黑幕和理想现实之间的割裂……日光之下，果然并无新事。《幻灭》是悉尼法国电影节的开幕影片，影片内容和自己的工作行业相关，也是很巧合了。
“一切有为法,如梦幻泡影,如露亦如电,当作如是观”
表演一般，旁白来凑，表演最好的可能是报社那只猴子🐵，看到几百年前巴黎的媒体社会政治乱象挺有意思。德不配才自然不配财，终究镜花水月一场空。
前半部分以为是「一个记者的诞生」，其实是「一场游戏一场梦」。
包袱抖的不错。 主演真的会用枪，不是那种“训练过的”。
前半段的巴黎描述的真好，后半段就有点赶进度了
他将停止幻想，他将开始生活，他将找到内心的力量。
2021-12-04@ Movie Movie Pacific Place @ HKFFF@ 怎么说呢，一方面感觉导演太省事了，那大段旁白穿故事，一方面又很想感谢导演让我梦回用了一个月高中数学课看完本作原著。90/100。还是想说那句前年在Sciences Po上课的时候望着窗外的阳光的时候发的傻傻的pyq：如果我此生注定颠沛流离，那我也愿意活在巴黎。
可以想象原著的精彩。青年被时代裹挟的故事不要太多。巴黎的浮华世界大概就是他的一场黄粱梦吧。一流的小说并不是最适合改编的，感觉编剧导演有点束手束脚，但是整体还是很有水准：精致的服化道，丰富的配乐，演员的表演。
「我想到了所有那些在覺醒之後，必須找到內在力量的人。」Ta將停止幻想，開始生活。很久沒看到名著改編電影了，巴爾扎克的文字總是出現金句。所謂幻滅，人間喜劇。
有些老虫就其貌不扬生养的一个细皮嫩肉的瓜娃子。。。
2个半小时完全不会无聊，过程很精彩，结局更加精彩华丽！！！
为啥我脑补了一出多兰侯爵夫人利用他人脉资源给夏东导演拍这部戏的画面呢？毕竟才华这玩意儿，要靠贵族血统砸，也要靠全场最高价砸。
我有点被Coralie打动了，Lucien和她之间的某种感情也很动人，她对美和艺术的追求，某种语调，以及内森的笔，某种真诚，是藏不住的吧
时光总无情，渺渺红尘万般妄。
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