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.
张伯伦对年轻秘书很失望，因为他看到了真相，更长远的为人类考虑
"I'd miss you.." "Good bye!"
角度特别，以两个分属不同阵营，又有着共同目标的青年为主角，烘托了张伯伦的“伟大”和希特勒的“狡诈”。推动战争的从来不是某个人或某件事，每个人都像是命运齿轮中的一环，每一件当时如果做出不同的选择都会改写历史，当然，影响人们做出选择的因素有个人的经历、社会地位、自我性格以及政治主张等等，历史无法改变，能改变的只是我们对历史的认识。
“我们不抱希望反而会更好。”
电影情节不错，不过小说改编的剧情只能认定为虚构历史，片尾对虚构历史进行主观评价非常不可取，似乎是虚构事件与历史实际发生别无二致，这样极其误导观众，对虚构历史的盲目崇尚，对真实历史产生不切实际的评价，丧失以史为鉴的作用，片尾就打上本片参照历史，剧情基本虚构会好多了，四星给电影本身，不对电影中任何历史真实人物进行认识
嗑拉了 这个卡司我太喜欢了 三人组也让我想起模仿游戏&故园🥲摄入更多二战知识很开心
十年过去 仍然记得中学历史书上张伯伦的那张照片“我们已经拿到了和平的保证”。是的，希望，是指望别人做一些事来改变，但是，we have to fight，and I will definitely fight。看完这样的历史战争片总是内耗太大，不动一枪一火却能感受到其中的紧张。老板给我的感觉还真的和首相一样，日理万机之间跟你抽空说几分钟……
已经算是对原著不错的改编了（跟两位主演赏心悦目的脸以及chemistry很有关系
202202作品本身不功不过，政治惊悚的氛围营造得不错。英德两位校友的关系表现得很有张力，反而铁叔的张伯伦因为拿捏得很娴熟，倒没留下深刻印象。希特勒太不像了，没有特型演员差评。五星给疯狂的一代和同学情，吸同一根烟，敬相知和告别。
“我们无法选择自己出生的年代，却能选择如何去回应它。”德国男主塑造的非常丰满，当年的中国不也充满了这样一腔热血的爱国者们，我们才能享受到当下的美满。
我们无法选择自己生活的时代，我们唯一的选择就是回应。我们必须起身抗战。
把我想多给的私心⭐抵掉了……
重新評價張伯倫，也算是近年趨勢；把推翻希特勒的希望寄託在納粹軍官窩裡反，聽起來就不太會有人相信吧，果然畢竟是虛構的，2022.02.13
编剧导演是张伯伦的粉丝可以确定；不过是不是如片尾所宣称的战争的一年延迟确保了最终的胜利，则大有疑问。客观的看，张伯伦的绥靖也有他的道理，方今欧美不也绥靖着呢吗？绥靖在将来也不会绝迹。人性如是、制度如是。
年轻人们的表演很好。张伯伦的选择宿命，也有年轻人在时代里的选择宿命。“我只能拿自己手里的牌去玩。”“我们不能选择生活的时代，我们唯一的选择就是如何回应。”可当《至暗时刻》的前篇看。
Another side of the story.
还算值得一看吧，能把这么一段已经公认无趣的历史拍的如谍战大片一样有声有色扣人心弦，特别是能和当下的俄欧争端、台海局势有直接的对照呼应。
1张伯伦真！没什么好洗的，因为张伯伦白了，丘吉尔岂不黑了（虽然政治都是灰的…2两个异国小帅锅又使眼色又送小纸条的，不知道的还以为这是一部不远千里来私会的政治版call me by your name…3当时德国是环境造就了希特勒，不是希特勒造就当时的疯癫，就算当时下的了手，一个“希特勒”倒了还会有千千万万个“希特勒”站起来的…4就电影而言拍得还算不错，张弛有度
抛开文艺气氛，整个二战的走势真的有第二种可能吗。张伯伦真的只能收到一个间谍发来的消息吗，就像股市只有一个黑嘴吗，所以你在股市的买和卖，或者旁观真的是听从了黑嘴或者内心的呼唤吗。其实所有的选择没有好坏，只有结果，而同一个时空只会有一个结果，但结果却是一个主观判断，即使付出生命，也可以被不同的人给与不同的评价，甚至反反复复，犹如烧烤。
烟盒明明还有还要“shall we share?”“I'd miss you”深情的“goodbye”看得俺老基动了，Jannis大漂亮分分钟都是hugo boss走秀啊，明明是主角为嘛演员表排老后呢
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