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.
为了笑而搞笑。以配角出现很可以。以主角出现不是那么好看。
以为是一部蹭热点的烂片，看了才发现应该算赘婿的外传。
大马猴终于翻身农奴做主人了，开心，虽然故事跟赘婿有重叠，但是不影响观感，哈哈哈。
刘冠麟的演技还是有进步的，至少别总是去演那种腹黑都男儿。努力哈！总体中规中矩，不错啦。女演员演技颜值都在线，真好。
电视剧水平，打打闹闹挺欢乐，恶搞《背影》加一星！
赘婿的番外篇，吉吉国王成长史，下一部羽绒服见。
延续了赘婿的搞笑段子，讲的是二房的一些感情经历，最后也拜倒在石榴裙下成了一名赘婿，事业成功真的不分男女，还是挺好看的
编剧也不错，剧情合理流畅。演员演的也不错，没有明显出戏。
本以为是蹭热点的网大，结果是正剧的番外篇，各种现代商业奇思妙想应用在武朝，堪比宁毅了。不过很多地方直接拿原剧的梗来用有点尬。
不管是作为网剧赘婿的番外来看，还是单拎出来看，剧情都挺流畅的，看得我好爽，果然现在观众的爱好是爽片。
真的很搞笑，很适合七夕带着男朋友来看，我和男朋友在电影院里笑翻了，配上爆米花，这个七夕真的很快乐！
编剧很用心的把流行词语都塞进去了，另外女主不丑，丫鬟更漂亮。
互联网商业帝国的变相成就，创始人的情感及利益之争，用古相演现相。但最精彩的其实是给一些富不过三代的第三代人的成长的启示，这点非常重要，对于过程中的心理现象是值得探讨的。
可惜的是套路相近 新意不大 但是用梗还真的是很棒的 值得一看
【驱魔故事会】故事讲述彼得·威廉姆斯神父的他被一个他试图驱除的恶魔附身，最终犯下了最可怕的亵渎罪，18年后，他的罪的后果将再次困扰他，展开与内心邪恶最伟大的斗争。
换个角度，当作天堂与地狱间的无间道故事，会觉得挺好看。
作为比较火的电视剧衍生剧，里边有些梗，比如背影闲鱼什么的，还挺好玩的，主线剧情还比较传统，反正看着玩还好。王公子真是面瘫啊，完全只会瞪眼睛。
2022-04-17
我是来看大马猴搞笑的，没想到大马猴也有CP了，啧啧啧
竟然还出了个吉吉国王的番外电影？败家子的自我认知和自我提升，建议归入另类商战片。
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