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.
很棒的音乐，猜到了女主最后的出现，但是没猜到女主居然这么有料，这么炫酷！
一般美国青春片的套路是女主意外地加入乐团后，如何和大家磨合，再顺便和其中的团员发生爱情线.....
说不上来的一般，都不能说还行……
为什么要烧钱？钱是可以随便印的啊，又不是金条不可再生。 银行主管那个女的死的太不值得了，人那么好。
重金属我去过现场，蹦完挺爽的，就是费眼镜。
我简直爱死校园音乐电影了，更别提主角团看着都那么顺眼，结尾的表演也很炸。ps:艾西斯有点暴躁病娇的范让我看到了海伦娜的影子。
凯文真是个温柔的小天使，敲鼓时头发乱舞时好帅啊，最后的乐队大战曲目简直燃爆
纪实影视，会放大善与恶，普通与特殊。在全球意识正确的背景下，电影显示一个种族的抗战与牺牲，但意识形态也完全西化，本土传承与文明被弱化甚至否定。
逃离吧，跑得远远的，最远的地方就是那人群中，往那儿去吧
事实证明就算这种拍过无数遍的题材也能让人看的很舒服
美国人当然说曼德拉好，为了自由，帮助欧美毁了南非。曼德拉眼中装的是世界人民和自由，南非毁了就毁了。看电影很难相信这是上个世纪的南非，还以为是英国呢……
细节处理比较到位，以小人物姿态发展大事件，影片想要讲的内容很多，有枪战、政治、人生价值，表达的方式竟不让人有违和感。但是司法局长女儿的圣母形象和受不了歧视宁愿变白的妇女的突然醒悟，却又让人觉得过于突兀和不合情理
关于救赎和自我救赎的电影，好看，娱乐性很强，看得很开心。
一般美国青春片的套路是女主意外地加入乐团后，如何和大家磨合，再顺便和其中的团员发生爱情线.....
说不上来的一般，都不能说还行……
我不理解为啥这部片的评分这么低 牵扯了那么多社会和历史问题 而且拍的也够好了 通过这部电影浅浅的了解了南非 曼德拉 班图精神 全球伦理 种族隔离政策等等。
虽然我不懂重金属吧，但是最后的大提琴也太帅了~
看心理医生的时候发现医生是你的偶像，并且他告诉你你没病。哈哈哈哈哈哈哈！
从skullfucker到skullflower, 是metal让他们温柔了，找到自己的同伴真是幸福，每一份愤世嫉俗都宣泄着不被理解的寂寞。
革命者确实是伟大而尊敬的！不过那个克莉丝汀就显得很假
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