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.
畫面及立意都很好，可是轉折實在太單薄，令理應最具劇力的部份說服力大為削弱。
这电影不知道是不是政治正确的原因外网评价还不错。。十分钟的时候就猜到了全片剧情
如果只是美好的童话该有多好，那样便只会记得「Stars don't shine they burn.」「You're more than what you're gifted.」「The miracle is you.」
对安东尼奥的天赋和房间慕了
在澳门看了粤语场【我觉得我粤语听力家可以90-95分了】
因为我也很爱动物
如果我说我喜欢会变花屋子是很梦幻的公主屋的姐姐伊莎贝拉的话，我是不是不够正确呢。
对迪士尼这种一言不和就唱歌的各族人民一家亲政治宣言越来越提不起兴趣了，为好听的西语歌加一星。
但剧情挺老套的 甚至结局都略尬
对安东尼奥的天赋和房间慕了
有种“合家欢&融梗《马丁的早晨》版”《百年孤独》的味道，稍微平复了下观感上的不满：虽说看到马孔多实体化，以及林漫威又写了几首出圈红歌还是挺开心的，但这填充的内容也实在太水了、结尾收束的太草率了吧。。有点追求啊迪士尼！
合家欢电影，主题是好的，但还是不对味，有点太鸡汤。
很一般，冲突其实挺牵强，结尾的happy ending也很牵强。魔法到底是怎么来的，女主又为什么没有魔法，莫名其妙……歌曲太多，喧宾夺主。
电影院看的，好感度+0.5星。音乐不错，也是一面了解哥伦比亚的镜子。唱歌开花那些场面不算太惊艳（冰雪奇缘高峰在前），故事一般，虽然知道挺套路的，但还是被结尾感动了。现实不如意，要在电影里找童话，希望大家都能开开心心做自己吧。魔法满屋是那种明知道是流水线产物不能抱太大期待，但还是会去买票观看的电影，每年可以看见迪士尼保持水准的动画还是很开心。
生命不应只有努力营造的完美、难以承受的重负，繁花中可以开出仙人掌，坚强的外壳也可以宣泄脆弱的泪水。守护家人的魔法是承认和接受家庭成员的不完美，同时不再压抑自己、释放天性获得快乐，才能有强大的能量守护家人。
2.5 familia and thats it.
可是，这部电影获得了金球奖，这是一个让人值得深思的问题。
剧本扎实，人物立体，故事走向虽然是老一套的happy ending设定，但最后的结论非常有说服力。靠魔法搭建的家园并不可靠，最终能够做到这一切的，必定是众人团结的力量，是扎实的劳动，是爱与理解。
前半段好棒呀，美工、歌曲、舞蹈都特别棒，创意感满满。可惜的是后面剧情发展还是不可避免地走向了套路与烂俗，唱了几首歌就全家欢了，前面的好和后面的差简直形成鲜明对比。
希望迪士尼永远当一个造梦工厂，告诉小朋友一些简单的东西，在这些电影里别再过度解读，别再多想，如果只从纯粹的角度去看，它告诉我们，每个人都可以有不完美，都可以在面对家人时，放下防备。奇迹从来不是我们的能力，而是我们每个人存在的本身。
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