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.
无法欣赏，搞这么多就是纠结要不要克隆重生？
家里好会装啊，阿里好会穿啊，卫衣衬衫羽绒服瓜皮帽在他身上搭一下咋这么好看。其余剧情，节奏，让人昏昏欲睡。
克隆人老梗可真无聊，论如何把一个MV长度的故事抻成一部电影
感觉像是淋了一场秋日的小雨，淡淡的惆怅和莫名的忧伤
The precision of its thesis
3.5离开心爱的人是很痛苦的，被人遗忘是很痛苦的，一直思念是很痛苦的
3. 我反对阴谋论者。
结尾always have always will带给人的无力感，实在是一种最佳的留白方式。
有钳真好！只换不修。 我认为最大的败笔是前后2人面对面。都100%复制了，为什么不让克隆人坚信自己就是原来那个唯一的自己？
观影过程中，脑海的故事已经与这部电影无缝链接了。
一个得病将要去世的人，克隆了一个自己，让他代表自己继续照顾自己的家人。从此独自一人抱着所有痛苦而死去～
让一个克隆人代替你活下去为了抚慰家人，你愿意吗
一个人是无声无息地消失，还是需要亲人好友痛苦地看自己死去。 我仿佛没有这么伟大，我就是我，我也只有我，我希望最后的时刻以及往后，有人可以记得。 当然假设我真的不在人世，与其可能会遇到未知的另一半，毋庸置疑是选择克隆的我去陪伴我的家人。
如果未来能有这样的技术，我愿意生活在这样虚假的真实中。男主演技是真的可以！
克隆技术可以复制肉体甚至记忆，但人类灵魂深处的东西却无法被替代，科幻的外衣下缓缓讲述着主题俗套内核却清新的爱情小品，阿里的表演扎实且细致入微。
忒休斯之船。继承了我的情感、记忆与意志的那个人，是否拥有了我的灵魂，是否就是我？
The precision of its thesis
其实拥有记忆了，就是“you are you”了，可惜人类都可以转移记忆了，却还不能治愈癌症。很期待苹果那辆无人驾驶的车上市
电影细节的描写非常好 剧情有很多可以思考的点 虽然是超现实的未来电影 但是也映射出人想要接受和放下的痛苦和挣扎 不放心任何人可以代替自己 就算那个人就是自己也不行
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