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.
把一切归于母亲利用她的善良，这个我也讨厌，有种琼瑶女主的感觉。
整部片子最精彩了也就是怪物的样子了。这还不如单纯的拍一部反虐杀片，邪神的元素真的在里面似乎没有必要。一星送给邪神，长得很符合我胃口
恐怖：2
氛围勉强值两颗星，人物还是一如恐怖片里面的蠢，房子有问题还放儿子一人在房子里独处，最后全家人都整整齐齐GG了。唯一让人感叹的是鲍小强的女儿也到了演中年妈的年纪了
furry羊头怪，圣斗士巨蟹座♋，13级台阶，san值归0，母爱伟大，大概就是这些要素了。在主角的视角，是一步步展开调查解决疑惑最终解开迷题，然而明白真相并不代表可以解决问题，甚至明白真相恰恰是最危险的时候，因为意味着悲剧可以再次重演，唯一的区别是中间有希望、挣扎和绝望的过程，恰如本片。在恶魔的视角，就是一段咒语，一个通道，一个目的地的自动化食粮制造机罢了。
刚看完，还算不错的低成本美式恐怖片。都是网飞的电影，里面有个彩蛋不知道有多少人看到，就是女主在厨房的时候，电视上播的说4个在瑞典失踪游客的新闻。这彩蛋说的应该同是网飞的电影“黑森灵”，看过黑森灵都知道就是4个英国人在瑞典森林里被洛基的私生子，一个像鹿和人合体的怪物应该说是古神吧，杀了3个只逃了男主。这电影里的怪物应该也是像人和飞蛾的合体，估计也是古神之类的设定，网飞搞这种造型搞上瘾了。
挺无聊的，出戏程度的降智，还以为不会有恶魔展示镜头呢，排队走路的奇观挺有意思
弱智恐怖片。此类恐怖片通病：非要一直住着直到出事也是绝了。非要好奇心强下去也是绝了。
没啥剧情，宗教恶魔那一套，女主反杀都喜欢～
谷阿莫，应该是部不错的恐怖片，重要的是经网友提示，片中演母亲是伊丽莎，《邻家女优》的尤物，哦天哪！又看谷阿莫讲了一遍，20年转瞬即逝，她突然出现在我面前。
氛围营造的不错，从头到尾也不拉胯，看完其他人的解析文章，感觉隐喻有点深啊。
整片构思不错，就是找科学家那条线莫名的就断了
略显疲软的恐怖片，剧情撑不起个半小时的片长，预算全用在最后了。一般般。
什么渣渣电影，浪费时间，女儿不见了一点也不着急，直到自己被锁起来了，依然很淡定。
女主演技不行啊，一点惊恐都没，明知道房子有问题，还不搬走，服了
拍的什么狗屎！？剧情不清不楚的？...怪物都比剧情好看，一星给怪物
恐惧源于内心，既能控制人心，也能重获新生。
一个还算可以的概念，如果换个名导可以整得更高级一点
女主演技不行啊，一点惊恐都没，明知道房子有问题，还不搬走，服了
氛围营造的不错，从头到尾也不拉胯，看完其他人的解析文章，感觉隐喻有点深啊。
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