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.
华继良和何世清那场戏楼的戏有点清代《毒战》那味了，从套路来讲是包装上爱国情节的反毒剧，演员真的都很不错，网络剧情拍成这样真的够良心了
能少黑点国内空气不好就好
我把所有的鸦片战争题材的电影搜了一遍，这部“血战虎门”是近年来的最优秀作品。
谢苗一年也不拍多少网大。但这部还是挺好的。主要是谢苗打戏是真的好。台词也挺用心的。
这片里谢苗还不错，希望有更好的编剧更好的制作。
这片子不打五星？虽然有些瑕疵，比如在中国的部分场景问题，但这片的现实意义远比流浪，狼等要深远。信息怎么会泄露的，为什么那么陌生电话找你给你贷款给你各种福利？你的个人信息被卖了一次又一次！最后那位总结的很好，陌生电话提钱的，不要相信。希望大家都能看一看。
本质上是武侠片/功夫片，只不过加了一个具体的历史情境，比一般网大制作讲究，但比徐克黄飞鸿系列的观赏性和思想性还是差好几个level，尤其是最后又是暴打西洋大力士，能不能换点别的？
每个人都有巅峰时期，对于谢苗来说，他的巅峰时期就是少年跟李连杰搭档做绿叶的时候。事过境迁必然辉煌不再，哪怕是这一部在很多人看来蟹苗有起色的作品。
2022.01.27武汉居家隔离第1天。苟利国家生死以，岂因祸福避趋之。
十分简单且漏洞百出的谎 骗你个好几千万 我觉得中国应该没有这种傻雕了
本来能拍挺好的，
动不动就黑中国，别说什么玻璃心，黑的真恶心
“华继良 你不明白嘛！ 就算没有我们 也会有大把的人顶上来！”
还行，是部正常的电影，比那些什么卡司阵容大咖捣眼整出来的玩意正常多了，如果加上胶片的质感，能多半颗星。
还行，是部正常的电影，比那些什么卡司阵容大咖捣眼整出来的玩意正常多了，如果加上胶片的质感，能多半颗星。
放院线也不过份吧！可惜了 ，现在人都不太爱看这种动作片！谢苗是个好苗子！用最后台词套一下：“希望谢苗坚持这条路下去，虽然一点也不简单！ ”将来动作片还有希望！
又一部网大，还行，能看，就是决战稍微打得尴尬草率了点。本来想给三星的，结果你这么个题材片尾曲来首嘻哈，给我整吐了。
华继良、阿泰、小野3兄弟，民间自力缉毒，华被官府下狱……胡建人林则徐被皇帝要求不能与老外冲突来缉毒……
电信诈骗题材不好拍，韩国能拍成这样已经很不错了，至于滤镜也没有阴间啊，有些人人太过于敏感了吧
前赴后继，与有荣焉，，现在这样的动作片很少了
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