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.
虽然我还是不理解宗教，但两位女主之间的性张力绝了，音乐也酷爆了尤其片尾的
四星全给浴缸里那场禁欲戏，但总体来说剧情比较平，意想不到的是小奶狗扑倒了小狼狗~
节奏还蛮好的，特别是违抗禁忌的张力。喜欢睡觉的两处抱抱，不喜欢结局为了点题故意重逢故意回忆美好，明明两个人的认知是不一样的（就应该像白蛇和许仙，不能在一起）。女主问出的那一句：你不会当我死了吧？非常戳我！
西岛秀俊就是理由。长得太有漫画少年感了。贤二太幸福，我要是他，也一样向姐妹们炫耀。
我要看矶村勇斗哈哈哈哈哈漫画中的美少年（毫无关系）超级逗
还是那个味道！希望可以一直出下去，每集做一餐的饭！烟火气可以一直看下去
信仰和世俗，都不应该成为彼此相爱的绊脚石。但现实总是事与愿违。希望这个世界的包容度能越来越大。
节奏好怪...爱得好怪...每个人的关系都好怪...
已婚宗教女脚踏两只船和无刘海女贱次次往上贴的无聊事。
史郎是直男吧( •︠ˍ•︡ ) 最后樱花树下吃便当真美呀
最烦直女根本没想清楚自己究竟想要什么的时候既要又要还要的样子。但人总是一而再再而三地糟蹋自己这辈子最珍贵的东西。结尾有点恶心，扣一星。
＃2022年38
各种日常碎碎念中穿插美食指导的观感还是挺舒适，互相脑补生病要死快了也是有点意思。同志之交不淡，依然如水。
基础元素是传统百合片屡试不爽的套路——宗教与禁忌之爱的碰撞，婚姻与“在别处”的抉择，但是心依然被眼神流转间的温柔触动，圣经上的指尖碰触，祷告时的对视，受洗后的亲吻，背过身去的拥抱，以及最后，磨损卷角的明信片。“那里和我们想象得一样吗？”“你应该出现在那里。”最后的对视令人心碎，两个女孩都好美。
我对这个片的滤镜已经厚到人生中第一次觉得中年人的患得患失好可爱！吃醋也好可爱！
女主m好像火吻！两个都好有灵性！宗教，世俗不都是tm的一回事？挺现实的剧，好看！
意外地好看，从🚗后座握手开始，BGM印象深刻，后来大家都去了网易云
白开水的剧情 果然只要撒糖就会让人很满足了
年过半百，我爱你就是天天担心你是不是要死了。
很喜欢他们的相处模式，不是有求必应宠着对方，而是事事有回应，注重对方情绪。但是那个流浪汉辩护案有点没头没尾的，发廊小哥那段也。
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