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.
三星半——但是我看的当天心情好加半星哈哈哈哈哈
看预告就不想看了，对白很尬，典型American尬对白。
从头笑到尾，是我笑点太低了吗哈哈。比迪斯尼的新动画好看多了
很多年之前看的前作，很多具体剧情已经记不清了。其实大结局的故事乏善可陈，但是还是蛮适合打完工之后看着轻松欢笑一下。
没想到我会这么想念亚当桑德勒。编剧摆烂已经像是公开的秘密了，甚至整部电影就像是Johnny本人编的（某些时候他真的很烦人）。老套的道德绑架和不成立的角色转折，就算是存在于精灵旅社中也会让人感觉不适，为啥Drac要经历这些啊？？
感觉一集不如一集了。就是在消费之前积累的人气。而且片长也变短了，亚当·桑德勒也不来配音了。这些细节都印证着本系列在走下坡路。记得第三部还是在电影院看的。而本片似乎没有公映计划或者引进计划，而是直接网络首映。我理解这就相当于曾经的“仅发售DVD”。有点可惜。毕竟还看过2D版衍生动画剧集。
真的超级棒 不枉费我清晨八点半爬起来去影院赶上最后一天最后一场的放映 一二部都是巅峰 第三部拉胯 期待值本来不大 只是抱着情怀圆满去的 结果意外好看 超级棒！重回巅峰！
没想到还能有第四部 岳父和女婿的故事就是讲不厌吧
剧情有点草率，亮点依旧是松本润的冷笑话，而且居然出现了第一季和第二季的女主。
其实中国的动画电影还是可以和国外的平分秋色的
精灵旅社系列最大的问题就是没有成长，本来这也没啥毕竟它只是工业流水合家欢，但是第四部了还在讲早在第一部就解决了的翁婿矛盾就确实太没创意了，就此完结吧，怕了好莱坞的各种续集了
去的电影院没啥看的 随便选了个动画片 还挺可爱的
想不出来怎么结尾就发个鸡汤打个嘴炮对吗？这样的话还是别拍续集了。
至我最爱的波比，只是情节老套，几部电影下来，德古拉真的很惨，永远最惨的就是德古拉。感觉是把快乐都建立在他的痛苦上，搞笑担当—德古拉，颜值担当-波比
不及格。案子和寻找真相的过程都很一般，影片制作也谈不上电影质感。老老实实当SP不好吗，非要做成电影，那就是不及格的电影
果然电影版就是要一家人整整齐齐，就是冷笑话是真的真的真的不要再粉红老夫妻那样笑了。最后给我michi多加一星。
四星，再送半星给情怀。是最后一部了吧？一个ip能长久保持高水准好难啊
表现力和脑洞真很大，不要带入太多情感，这是个动画，女婿只是好心办坏事儿而已
南云很好吃！但我有个疑问，他不会做饭是怎么养大绘里的？🤔
从头到尾都是“熊孩子”的失控作为冲突根源很无趣，好在有怪物变人的部分尚有一点脑洞的亮点，整体就勉强能看。一部比一部差这个系列还是安心结束吧
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