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.
出乎意料好看，应该是剧情没有什么明显漏洞吧，反正是合家欢电影。
俗气得乏善可陈……也就是适合假期自己一个人killing time用~
xswl Jack Whitehall在片中演他爸Father Whitehall
在强森主演的奇幻片中此片是质量最高的，文戏不错
别说《加勒比海盗》了，连强森自己的《勇敢者游戏》都比不上。
【2022 24】挺有意思的爆米花片，一惊一乍的吓了我好几次，果然神秘的亚马逊河能孕育好多故事。
是那种拍了无数遍，看了无数遍，还是继续拍，继续看的电影
虽然是流水线电影， 但EMILY BLUNT加上大女主剧情，三星半round up成四星吧……真希望自己小时候能看到这么英气的女主角！
现在这种冒险题材的片子也是少得可怜。又一个给堵死的类型片。再怎么拍都摆脱不出印第安纳琼斯、成龙喜剧的影子。
在强森主演的奇幻片中此片是质量最高的，文戏不错
要不是艾米莉布朗特的角色有点讨厌【用装逼和高傲来展示独立女性力量很不讨喜，某些电影的挂逼男主同理，所以无关性别】，观感还是不错的
典型的看了和没看一个样的女杀手动作片，人物关系塑造过于僵硬，转变也很突兀，甚至这个一马平川的剧情让人觉得90分钟以内就可以说完，也就偶尔几场打斗戏勉强可一看。
一星给可爱的大猫猫，一星给雨林。冒险剧情普通，又是一位德国反派，感情线太勉强了。
合家欢的冒险片，剧情实在是俗套和低龄化了，Emily Blunt延续动作女主+一女搭二男的顺应潮流算是挺讨巧的吧。衷心希望这不是我2021年在大银幕看的最后一部好莱坞电影!
2021年第241部：低幼到难以忍受，把女主的性格设定成这样到底是男权还是女权😅😅
小白厅真可爱edagr也是真的好帅捏🤤🤤🤤🤤
强森的冒险片，永远都值得一看！绝对满足好奇心，创意大大的。
迪士尼乐园特供合家欢冒险电影。结尾还cos了冰雪奇缘？#哪里有艾米丽布朗特哪里有我#
看着玩儿。
中规中矩的探险奇幻片，主要有巨石在才看的，看起来还是比较轻松不费脑，就是豹子特效真的做的一般，烂泥蜂蜜毒蛇树枝四大反派还行
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