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.
被假真梨邑狠狠丑到，他的镜头都不敢直视，究竟是演的啊！
渣东是真的没有下一部了吧。哎，看到star的时候突然咯噔了一下，还有在心里默默想起了哈鲁马～
麻酱\生日快乐/！！！剧情不必多说，之前每一部都有的大反转其实早就给观影拔高了期待门槛，只能用一次比一次离奇的目的设置和新人物推动展开。不过有电影真好啊，还能一直让Star和杰西活在另一个宇宙里。
虽然因为知道会离谱反转，这次猜得都差不多了，除了一个没猜到。但是这个系列还是不错的～
别说不像皮克斯了，就连迪士尼童话的成分都没有，这整个就是一漫威、星战式的科幻电影。而作为一部衍生作品，居然只有开场的一段文字跟《玩具总动员》有联系，我说你哪怕在结尾插上一段安迪手拿玩具在电影院看落幕的场景，都能为整部电影加分不少。
和浪漫篇的结构是一样的耶，以及日本人（尤其是偶像出身的人）就一定要像演舞台剧一样在荧幕上尽情嘶吼打滚吗？
首先对于不是老巴斯的配音感觉到有点失望。其次在电影的前三分之一我一度报以期待，特别是时间膨胀，黑人拉拉变老那，有点星际穿越内味儿，但是后三分之二的节奏完全让我失望。。东拼西凑，又不够有趣，好像想说很多却之令人困倦，试想一个小孩子怎么看的进去这样的电影，而且科幻设定是上世纪风的对现代小孩也有一定的距离感。。有很多对于科幻迷的彩蛋，满惊喜的，95年的小安迪看来也是蛮hardcore的
看完之后完全不理解为什么那么多人对这部影片那么大的恶意。感觉就算放到皮克斯的作品集里也是中上。调侃着可以说这是星球大战的皮克斯版，或者壮志凌云的巴斯光年版，但是无论如何在不到两个钟头的时间里把友情，勇气，执着与放弃都好好地讲完了，就胜过大部分流水线上仅仅一个主题的作品。开头十分钟的记录年华老去的桥段即便被皮克斯回收过很多次，依然还是能够打动人。
喜剧里的“傻子”，一个是小少爷，一个是赤星。
不知道弄个“1995年拍的电影”的设定是为了什么。空欢喜一场。以为是会像 Starship Troopers 那样的电影，事实上是没灵魂的 2020s 玩具广告。
赤星和达子的孽缘如果交给琼瑶阿姨，能写出三部《梅花三弄》
長澤まさみは 可愛いです；希望这个系列还可以延续下去，虽然剧情的反转没有那么出彩，但多视角的叙述和最后主旨的升华都还不错，疫情当下电影创作不易，请不要把作品和私生活混为一谈
环环相扣，引人入胜。
题外话，90年代与20年代，CG技术的腾飞发展。非裔主角，lgbt元素，都反应了时代之下的种种变化。
不管不顾就是要给五星，不为什么就是喜欢麻酱呐！当然这分数也不是完全无脑直冲，毕竟剧情还是中规中矩，趣味点一个不少，同时还保持系列一贯的风格，真不错！如果还有的话，还能继续爱！
To infinite and beyond。
Andy看了这个电影买了巴斯光年开启了玩具总动员时代？我不能接受这个事实。
节奏确实差了一点，整个跟浪漫篇有点相似，有些地方还是浮夸得有点尴尬，期待很久的份上三星吧
2022.6这部感觉很好看呀，欧洲风景真好~濑户康史胖了哈哈
杰西和star，虽然轻轻带过，让人不胜唏嘘
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