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.
23分钟弃，如果真的拍得特别好，只能说给了我一些信心。
还可以诶。这个剧本也太装逼了，还好男主演得很低调。画面也还可以。
不过谢苗当然很努力，他长大以后一直就很努力。少林寺传奇之类的其实剧本也一般。在这个功夫片式微的年代他还是认认真真在那条道上在走的。他很好，跟释小龙一样，只是时代变了，这片土地已经没有武侠植根的土壤了。
流畅，动作和剧情都够流畅，希望这是好的开始，送两颗星鼓励一下
多给半星给个鼓励，电影画面和色彩很棒，简单的快意恩仇故事
虽然是网大，但是拍的很有质感，动作戏相当到位，很纯粹的武侠电影！
看得出经费有限，但服化道在线，打光不错，构图不错，被瞎子合刀闭眼的那一幕帅到。除了泡沫雪出戏，整体没毛病。
卯足了劲讲个故事，但终究做戏而已。太过于符号化，最终也就只留于形式。
谢苗长大后终于有部超出及格线的电影了，不容易，作为年青一代还能拍打戏的演员真得支持下。ps：看过了，谢苗看久了还挺帅的，镜头画面也比他之前的网大好了不少，但是动作设计就有点退步了，大环境如此，能拍一部这样的武打片已经很不容易了，也没法苛责。加油吧。
没抱什么期待看居然还可以，谢苗动作和演技都挺不错但剧情还是粗糙了点，看到后面...琅...琅琊榜？？ps：开门灭口的设计我蛮喜欢的
暴力美学，没有其他，看得很揪心。“世间不公道的事情多得是，你管得了吗？”，“能管一管就一个”，令人敬佩，这就是我心中的侠。
很不错，甚至是迄今为止看过最棒的网大。故事非常简单，但武侠味道不简单。没有复杂的朝野斗争，没有赘笔的男欢女爱，不沉迷宏大叙事，短短70分钟，一切都剑指复仇。虽然成本只有区区800万，但是却能看得出快意恩仇的纯味。厉害，牛x。网大的故事都开始有“魂”了，好电影还会远吗？ 另外，谢苗好帅啊友友们，多点武侠片找他吧。
我喜欢这样简单明了的故事 没有错综复杂的关系 没有九曲十八弯的阴谋 只是最简单的快意恩仇 配上干净简洁的台词和利落的打戏动作 片中的光影和转场我真的好喜欢 瞎子复仇打破窗墙那慕后的光影和场景真的可以封神了 配乐也加了很多分 他眼盲心不盲 心中存公道 此谓侠者 谢苗正儿八经拍戏的话 好绝
打戏挺好，不是简单又软绵绵地套招，小仗“错骨手”、大仗加入了类似居合斩的技击，看着不腻，不像网大。但是片子在剪辑、运镜，甚至对焦等方面的逻辑和普通电影有极大不同，有很多后45度角镜头、a在说话镜头却给了b、用台词当旁白之类的情况，明显是为了回避后期配音对不上嘴型、演员台词或演技较差的问题，这方面就很网大。
简单直接，回归传统，剧本不用太深刻，做到干净利落，其实有谢苗足够的功夫支撑下，一部网大完全能出彩。只是在眼下的时刻谢苗如果没有一套能让所有人亮眼记得的东西，估计也就是这样了。
服化道，场景美术设计等等都远胜于一般的网大水准，甚至可以说，在疫情时代电影院青黄不接的情形之下，这质量，不上院线多少有些可惜了
23分钟弃，如果真的拍得特别好，只能说给了我一些信心。
非常好看，镜头很美，画面也极具写意的美感，不管是大雪杀人还是雨夜纷飞，都有一种侠客的仗义豪情在内，谢苗的武大动作干净利落，五颗星送给这句台词:我在这里生活了二十多年，才知道这里是个没有王法的地方！
极简的故事，内容是平庸的。但是动作尚可，粗劣的特效不如没有，效仿《琅琊榜》的处理过于频繁。
故事很小 该有的都有 74分钟 确实不错
Copyright © 2015-2023 All Rights Reserved
