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.
我个人觉得剧情上有点问题，把苏妈表现的特别自私。不过在运动员困局（不论是正常还是残障）方面表现的很真实。
感动固然是有的，这当中看到了当妈的各种牺牲奉献精神，而爸爸永远缺席…弟弟的存在更让人心疼
这评分比《扬名立万》低我确实没想到，加新事件就加吧，《扬名立万》围绕同一件事原地踏步了整部电影
香港近几年也就是这样的本港人本港事的剧情片和警匪片还能有市场。
本以为是泛泛的煽情片，看完竟然泪眼婆娑，想起一句话：奥运会是展示人类最强壮的身体，残奥会是展示人类最不屈的灵魂！
这种题材香港拍的比大陆内地拍的更动人，更愿意反映深刻的社会现实，而不只是表面的光鲜，可能内地的导演不敢太如此直白了，其实这部剧也是北影出品，挂了北影的厂标。好电影，推荐下
“用力哭不如用力跑！”“只有跑步别人才会看得起你！”吴君如演技炉火纯青，把一位任劳任怨含辛茹苦忍辱负重的伟大妈妈刻画的催人泪下，入木三分！
和段老师一起看的第五部电影，在影院看的第二部，两个憨憨为自己的愚蠢付出了巨额的代价，以后再也不在影城里买吃的了！
妈妈和儿子的演技都好好，对手戏很感人，母爱伟大而无私。
三星半水准电影 其实挺惊喜的 得益于创作环境吧 不是传统国产励志片的单纯打鸡血 叙事轻训练困难重社会困难 而且找的演员真是太牛了 但很多桥段还是很尬 真实感还是很欠缺 可能确实没那么多钱吧
感谢不散的超前点映场。剧情非常棒，节奏把控也好，环环相扣，没有任何多余的内容，悬疑气氛营造的也好，很适合我这种喜欢悬疑又不太能接受惊悚和血腥的人。以前很不喜欢陕北话，头一次觉得特好笑。结局满意，自从隐秘的角落以后实在是太喜欢张颂文了。
这评分比《扬名立万》低我确实没想到，加新事件就加吧，《扬名立万》围绕同一件事原地踏步了整部电影
你可能走得比别人慢，但你可以跑得比别人快！
剪辑有点过于煽情，但还是非常推荐！点映不多，看到有排片别犹豫！
这编剧可以的 这种结构式的 很容易就砸了 都在一个房间完成，这剧作很难的， 但是整体还算好 线基本清晰，只是前女友结婚了就杀了人家两口....这说不过去...
“金刚川”叙事+花样反转+剧本杀剧本=国产电影新路子？大可不必了整点实在的吧年轻的电影人们！
最喜欢半夜11点交易人上门那段，老李和马明亮唱双簧接头，助手掏出小本本核算成本，还有人倒在了工作岗位上。事后想想，人贩子老大做点正经生意肯定能成事儿。
单男没有女朋友好惨？（❌）单男是社会不稳定因素？（✓）
这种卖概念的片子拍成20分钟就合适了，其他就没啥必要
粤语版✅
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